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City Document. — No. 16.
COCHITUATE WATER BOARD,
CITY COUNCIL OF BOSTON,
FOR THE YEAR 1853.
BOSTON:
.1854.
J. H. EASTBUEN, CITY PRINTEE.
7
5 . o - '&'i-tJt^i^"fw^^^fi%-
REPORT.
Office of the Cochituate Water Board.
»
Boston, January 15, 1854.
To the City Council of Boston.
The Cochituate Water Board respectfully submit,
in compliance with an Ordinance of the City Council,
their Annual Report for the year 1853.
Supply of Water.
The experience of the past year fully agrees with
that of previous ones, in confirming the anticipations
originally formed, of the entire sufficiency of the Water
Works for affording an ample supply of water, for " all
the public, domestic and manufacturing uses of the in-
habitants." The supply in Lake Cochituate was quite
abundant, the quantity wasted at the outlet dam
having been more, by upwards of a hundred million
of gallons, than what was drawn from the Brookline
Reservoir for the consumption of the city.
A comparison of the total rain-fall during the year,
as estimated from observations made at the Lake, and
at the Marlborough, and Hopkinton Reservoirs, under
the direction of the Water Board, with the quantity of
4 WATER. [Jan.
water received into tlie Lake, as stated in the returns of
the several Superintendents, shows a near conformity
with the original calculations of the Water Commis-
sioners, that we might rely on receiving four-tenths of
the whole yearly rain-fall on the water-shed.
The rain-fall over the whole water-shed is estimated
to have been 50 inches, which would be equal to
2,069,100,000 cubic feet, or 15,528,250,000 wine gal-
lons. The tables of the consumption of water in the
city show that 3,117,939,500 gallons were drawn from
the Brookline Eeservoir, and the amount wasted at
the Lake was 3,436,817,500 gallons, to which adding
172,000,000 as the quantity indicated by the difference
of level of the water in the Lake at the beginning and
end of the year, the whole number of gallons received
into the Lake from the rain-fall appears to have been
6,726,757,000, or about 43 per cent. The quantity
which leaked into the brick aqueduct is presumed to
have been about equal to that discharged at the waste
weirs, in the process of making the repairs on the
aqueduct.
The gates at the outlet dam were closed on the 17th
of June for the purpose of retaining, for consumption
during the dry season, the water which had been pre-
viously collected. The height of the water was then
7 feet 2M inches above the flume, and 9K inches below
the point of high water to which the city is authorized
to raise it. The gates were kept closed until the twenty-
first of November, when the fall rains had again raised
it to 7 feet 4M inches. The lowest point to which it
fell during the summer was 3 feet 2)t inches below the
high water level, on the 24th of October. There then
remained in the Lake 3 feet 11^ inches, or more than
one-half of the quantity which had been retained.
From the 17th of June to the 24th of October, the
1854.] CITY DOCUMENT.— No. 16. 5
rain-fall was twenty inches, being equal to 6,207,300,-
000 gallons on the water-shed. Duringlthe same peri-
od there was drawn from Brookline Eeservoir 1,128,-
228,840 gallons, and wasted from the Lake 119,600,-
000, from which sums deducting 321,650,000, the
quantity indicated by the difference of level at the two
periods, the amount received from the rain-fall appears
to have been 926,178,840 gallons, or about 15 per
cent, of the rain-fall.
While the quantity drawn from the Brookline Receiv-
ing Reservoir annually has been constantly increasing, it
will be seen, by reference to the tables in the Report of
the City Engineer of the average monthly depths in the
Beacon Hill and South Boston Distribution Reservoirs,
that the average depths for the year have been gradu-
ally diminishing. The former having fallen from 11.01
feet in 1850 to 6.80 in 1853, and the latter from about
14 feet in 1850 to 8X feet in 1853 ; and during the pre-
sent month, since these tables were formed, the depth at
the latter has for several days been but about 3 feet and
under.
Tlie great and principal cause of this is undoubt-
edly to be looked for in the continually increasing
consumption. There are other causes, however, some
of which are temporary and others permanent, and
becoming more and more efficient, to which it must
be in some measure attributed.
In the first place, the necessity of completing the
repairs in the brick aqueduct, which were commenc-
ed in 1853, as stated in the last annual report, has
required that the water should be drawn off for three
and sometimes four days every week, by which the
height at the Brookline Reservoir was lessened about
four feet on an average, and in the city it has been
about two feet less than it would otherwise have been
6 WATER. [Jan.
These repairs are now nearly completed, and it is hop-
ed that the whole work will be done in May next.
The other cause is found, in the reduced capacity
of all the iron mains and pipes, occasioned by the
accumulation of accretions, which permanently adhere
to their interior surface. The Water Board, in their
report of last year, gave a somewhat detailed account
of the state of the pipes in relation to this subject,
and also of all the facts which they could learn in
regard to the existence of the same trouble in other
places, and of the efforts which had been made to ascer-
tain their origin, and to prevent or remove them.
During the year they have been carefully watched, and
Professor Horsford has continued to give his very valu-
able services to the subject. His communication the
Committee beg leave to annex and make part of their
report. The extent to which these accretions have
affected the discharge of water from the pipes, by di-
minishing their area and increasing the friction, has
been satisfactorily ascertained by observations made by
the City Engineer with great care on one of the thirty-
inch mains across Charles River ; and is found to be
much greater than was anticipated. The loss of dis-
charge under the common head of six inches was found
to be upwards of twenty per cent, of the known dis-
charge of a new main of like diameter. Similar obser-
vations made on the thirty-inch main from the Brook-
line Reservoir, under the ordinary head of eight feet,
gave the same result. The level in the city has been
accordingly reduced from this cause, usually not less
than three feet.
Consumption of Water.
The quantity drawn from the Brooklme Reservoir
and used in the City during the year was, as has been
stated, 3,117,939,500 wine gallons, being a daily aver-
1854.] CITY DOCUMENT.— No 16. 7
age for the year of 8,542,300 gallons, and affording a
supply to every inhabitant, of the present population,
of fifty-five gallons daily. The quantity thus used ex-
ceeds that of the last year by more than 152,000,000
gallons. This excess seems to have been confined to
the month of June and the four last months of the
year, as in the other months the consumption was less
than that of the corresponding months of the previous
year. The difference in the consumption of the two
years is probably to be attributed to the fact that dur-
ing all the early months of the year the weather was
much milder than the year before, and thus one great
and usual source of waste of water caused by letting it
run to prevent freezing in the pipes, was in a degree
obviated ; and during the other months, when the con-
sumption was less than the year previous, the de-
ficiency was probably entirely owing to the unusual
amount of rain-fall, which rendered the customary use
of the water for many purposes unnecessary. There is
an evidence of this in the comparative consumption of
the months of June and August. In the former there
was hardly any rain, (0.30 in.) and the daily consump-
tion then exceeded that of the last year by 912,817
gallons; but in the latter month, when the rain-fall
amounted to the large amount of 9.40 in., the daily
consumption was less than that of the previous year by
947,358 gallons.
Since the month of September the excess of con-
sumption over the last year has been continually in-
creasing, so that during the month of December it
. amounted to 2,032,582 gallons daily — the daily aver-
age for the month being 9,228,400 gallons.*
* An unavoidable delay in finishing this report at the time fixed by the Ordi-
nance enables us to state a more inordinate excess of consumption which took
place the latter part of January. The daily average continued about the same as
in December until the 25th, when the cold became more intense ; on that day, for
8 WATER. [Jan.
It has been deemed important to the Board to ascer-
tain the time and places where any excess of consump-
tion generally takes place, and more particularly to
measure, with as much precision as possible, the
draught at times when there would probably be the
smallest quantity used, and in places where the use
might be presumed to be unusually large.
In reference to the first point, the Report of the City
Engineer describes an elaborate course of observations
made by him. Their result will, we think, excite the
surprise of the City Council, as it has that of the Water
Board. The time taken was between midnight and four
o'clock in the morning, October 19th. It was found that
the consumption at that time amounted to 885,000 wine
gallons, which was at the rate of 5,310,000 gallons in
twenty-four hours ; and these results were confirmed by
subsequent observations. That is to say, at a period of
time when the vast majority of water takers are pre-
sumed to have ceased entirely to draw any water, and
when the consumption every where must have been
quite a small fraction compared with that of any other
part of the day, and at a season of the year when it could
not have been run to waste to prevent freezing, the con-
sumption was at a greater rate, by nearly a million of
gallons a day, than was originally anticipated to be
necessary for all the wants of the present population,
supposing it to be 155,000. A result so extraordinary,
at first led to the suspicion that there might be one
or more leaks in some of the mains. A farther course
24 hours, the consumption was 11,600,000. On the 26th, it was 13,100,000. On
the 28th and also the 29th, it was upwards of 14,000,000, And the average for
the month has been 10,800,000. The consequence has been that the EeseiToirs
on Beacon Hill and at South Boston, were drained, and that at East Boston re-
duced at one time to 3 feet 6 inches. There was an entire failure of supply to
many houses on Mount Vernon, and also on Tort Hill, and the higher parts of
Broadway, South Boston.
1854] CITY DOCUMENT.— No. 16. 9
of experiments, however, proved that this could not be
the case, and that there could not be any important
leak in any of the mains or distributing pipes in the
streets, or in those which cross the channels to South
and East Boston. An attempt was also made to ascer-
tain the quantity discharged from the different sewers,
during the same hours, and though it could not be
done with entire completeness, it appeared sufficiently
proved, that the consumption was more than equalled
by that discharge.
In order to ascertain the quantity actually used
in certain places where it was supposed to be unusu-
ally large, the Board have, during the summer of the
past year, caused water meters to be placed in some of
the principal hotels and livery stables, for measuring
the quantity actually drawn. They have found that in
one hotel there was an average daily consumption of
25,539 gallons, for 58 days — and in another, an average
daily consumption of 17,441 gallons, for 70 days. By
the present tariff the former paid at the rate of aboht
one cent for 4/^ hogsheads of water. In one livery
stable there was a daily average consumption of 5,540
gallons for 35 horses, or about 158 gallons to each
horse; in another, a daily average of 5,019 gallons for
55 horses, about 90 gallons for each horse ; in another,
a daily average of 2,818 gallons for 45 horses, about
62 gallons for each horse. In all these stables the
hand hose was used for washing carriages, &c., and it
was obvious that much of the waste could be attributed
to that fact, by comparing the consumption with that
in stables where no hose was used, in one of which
there was a daily average of 1,666 gallons for 50
horses, about 32 gallons for each horse, and in another
it was 558 gallons for 36 horses, or 15 gallons for each
horse.
10 WATER. [Jan.
Waste of Water.
The Water Board regret that they have no evidence,
on which they can attribute the diminished consump-
tion, which appears to have taken place at certain pe-
riods of the year, to a more prudent use of the water
than has heretofore prevailed ; and they continue to be
duly sensible of the necessity of repressing the wasteful-
ness which so great a consumption during the year indi-
cates. The quantity used has been about double what
was originally, and is now, believed to be sufficient, for
all the " public, manufacturing and domestic" uses of
the present population; and more, by 1,300,000 gal-
lons than was deemed ample for 250,000 inhabitants.
Nearly one half of the consumption may fairly be con-
sidered as absolutely wasted. They cannot help believ-
ing that one cause of it may be found in the fact that,
to a vast majority of the water takers, it has hitherto
been of no injury, and that probably by them its future
consequences are little appreciated, or indeed known.
There is, however, even at this early period in the his-
tory of the water works, a large and increasing number
on the higher part of the city who already at times
feel no small inconvenience from a deficiency of supply,
whose complaints are becoming more grave and well
founded daily ; and for which some remedy must ere
long be found. The Board have efiected this to some
extent heretofore, by causing the effluent main of the
Beacon Hill Reservoir to be closed from 7 o'clock in
the evening to 6 o'clock in the morning, for the pur-
pose of accumulating, if possible, a quantity sufficient
to supply the reservoirs in the houses of those tenants,
in the early part of the day. The draught, however, has
been recently so great, and the quantity accumulated so
comparatively small, that the supply has been entirely
1854.] CITY DOCUMENT.— No. 16. 11
insufficient, even for many houses which were provided
with reservoirs ; and for those which had none the re-
lief was still less effectual. There is but a foot or two
of water frequently left in the Beacon Hill lieservoir,
and it sometimes stands four and even ten feet below
the bottom of it ; of course at those times there are but
few houses in the neighborhood, where the water rises
above the first floor ; in many it flows but imperfectly
and interruptedly even into the lowest rooms ; and in
some it has failed altogether.*
But far more serious consequences may be appre-
hended if a greater head of water cannot be kept up
on the high service, and in the Beacon Hill and South
Boston Reservoirs.
The whole district of South Boston is supplied by a
single main of twenty inches diameter, carried under
the bridge, having an inverted syphon beneath the
draw. The main has hitherto continued perfectly
tight and uninjured; it is however liable to accidents,
and should any happen, by which the flow through it
should be interrupted, that district would be entirely
deprived of water, not only for extinguishing fire, but
also for the ordinary purposes of life, unless a greater
quantity can be retained in the reservoir than we now
"* The recent extremely cold weather, and consequently inordinate consumption,
has made it necessary to supply the high service by a very essential change in the
mode of operating the works. It has been effected by separating a part of the
City from the rest for the high service, and devoting the 30-inch main to it. This
removes the difficulty on the high service. As by it, however, the low service is
supplied at a level ordinarily twenty-five feet lower than the high, or about twelve
feet lower than the bottom of the South Boston Reservoir, and the same distance
below the level of top water in the East Boston Reservoir, it is impossible, while
the separation continues, to fill the latter or get any water into the former, and it
becomes necessary again to connect the two services for this purpose from time to
time ; but the connection cannot be continued long, lest serious inconvenience
should again be felt on the high service. This mode of operating requires constant
attention and labor, and also involves some risk of injuring the gates by con-
tinually moving them.
12 WATER. fJan.
can do. And there is apprehension of similar difficul-
ties in the high service, if the head of water cannot be
kept up in the Beacon Hill Reservoir.
For the purpose of obtaining all the information
which it was possible might throw any light on the
subject of the waste of water, the Water Registrar was
requested, in the early part of the year, to make an
examination of all the water-fixtures in the several
dwelling houses and other places, where the Cochituate
Water is used ; and to report the same to the Board. A
very careful and thorough inspection was accordingly
made, and the result submitted by the Water Board to
the City Council.
The Water Registrar stated in his report, that he
caused the premises of every water taker to be visited,
the fixtures to be examined, and the various ways of
using the water to be ascertained ; and also an account
to be taken of the places where the fixtures were out
of order and the water found running to waste. He
returned " a full statement of the number and kind of
water-fixtures contained within the premises of all the
water takers in the city " a copy of which is annexed to
his report, herewith transmitted.
He also reported some prevalent modes of using the
water, particularly in urinals and certain descriptions
of water closets, as very objectionable, in being the
cause of a great waste without any proportionate bene-
fit to any one. That the present use of it at all in
urinals very imperfectly accomplishes the purposes of
cleanliness, and that the hojjper closet and self-acting
closet, require, when properly used, about nine times
the quantity of water that the pan closet does; and
that by substituting the latter for the two former de-
scriptions, there would be a saving of 239,960 gal-
lons daily, even supposing there were no unnecessary
1854] CITY DOCUMENT— No. 16. 13
waste in either. He therefore recommended that the
use of the water in urinals and in the hopper and self-
acting water closets^ and also of the hose in stables,
should hereafter be prohibited.
The Water Board, after due consideration of the
facts communicated by the Water Registrar, fully
agreed with him in the alterations proposed, and sub-
mitted the same to the City Council. An ordinance
was accordingly passed proscribing the use of the hose
in stables for the future, and increasing the water rate
in boarding-houses (of a certain value) and hotels ;
with permission, however, for those having charge of
them to place meters in them, and have the water rate
assessed according to the quantity actually used ; and
also authorizing the Board to regulate the subject of
water closets. The Board was also subsequently di-
rected " to revise the present Tariff of Water E-ates, and
to report the same, at an early day during the ensuing
Municipal year, to the City Council of Boston."
The Water Board have used and will continue to use
all the means in their power to prevent the waste
which prevails, by enforcing the provisions of the ordi-
nances on the subject. It is their intention to this
end, to appoint proper persons, whose special duty it
shall be to ascertain, as far as possible, all places where
the water is suffered to run to waste, and forthwith to
report the same ; and the Water Registrar will be di-
rected at once to cut off the supply from such places,
without waiting to give notice to any parties interested.
And the Board have also renewed their appeals to their
fellow-citizens to attend to the use of the water in their
own households.
U WATER. [Jan.
Additional WorJcs.
If, however, their endeavors should continue to be,
as heretofore, fruitless, they think that it will be neces-
sary to supply the high service by some means which
we do not now possess. Not only because common
justice requires that that portion of our fellow-citizens
who have been subjected, and will continue to be so, to
no small share of the burdens which the introduction
of the water has imposed, should enjoy all its bene-
fits equally with the others, but for reasons in which
those living on the highest part of the city are not
alone interested. The danger of fire makes it an ob-
ject of the deepest concern to all parts of the city.*
It is for the City Council to determine the necessi-
ty of such further supply, and also of the mode of
effecting it. Three different ways have suggested
themselves to the "Water Board.
The first is, the laying another main to the Brook-
line Reservoir, by which the quantity brought into the
city will be actually increased and devoted to the high
service.
The second is, the employment of steam, to raise a
sufficient quantity into the Beacon Hill Reservoir,
which may be brought in by the present mains.
And the third is, the requiring the use of water
meters by the water takers, and charging a water-rate
in some proportion to the quantity of water used ; by
which it is thought that the waste will be prevented,
and the quantity now brought in be found amply suffi-
cient for all parts of the city. The City Engineer has
been requested to report on the practicability and the
cost of each of the above modes, which will be the sub-
* It would have been difficult to foresee the extent of the calamity had a fire
occurred, on several nights recently, when Mt. Vernon, part of Fort Hill and of
South Boston were entirely deprived of a supply of water.
1854.] CITY DOCUMENT.— No. 16. 15
ject of a special communication hereafter, if the Water
Board, find it necessary.
General Condition of the Works.
The general condition of the various structures at the
Lake and Reservoirs, and of the brick aqueduct, mains
and distributing pipes, continues to be highly satisfac-
tory. The repairs on the aqueduct have been contin-
ued successfully during the year. The work has been
exceedingly arduous, and is found to be of the most
vital importance to the security of the structure. By
using the English hydraulic cement, the stoppage of
the leaks has been, it is believed, fully effected, though
the cost has been much increased. We have every
reason to believe that these highly important defects in
the original construction, which had been a source of
anxiety from the beginning, will be now effectually and
permanently remedied. About three thousand feet, out
of the fourteen thousand originally deemed necessary to
be repaired, now remain unfinished. The vegetable
substance which is mentioned in the City Engineer's
E-eport as having made its appearance lately in the
aqueduct, is stated by botanists to be a species of
spongilla or fresh water sponge. There is probably no
way of preventing its growth ; it is however easily
removed. The only injury it is known to do, is the
clogging up the screens at the reservoirs ; and on this
account it has become quite troublesome.
On the subject of the accretions in the iron mains and
pipes, Professor Hosford is of opinion, from his own ob-
servations from time to time, that their growth is less
rapid than at first. Our experience would therefore go
to confirm the opinion expressed by Mr. Mallet, in his
report to the " British Association," that the rate of
increment must be a decreasing one. An analysis has
16 .WATER. [Jan.
been made of specimens of iron, from various pipes of
the Boston Water Works, which had been more or less
covered with tubercles; and also from pipes used in
the Croton Aqueduct ; and that at Baltimore ; but there
could be discovered no principle of correspondence, be-
tween the rapidity of the formation of the accretions
and the relative proportion of carbon, or the propor-
tion of graphite on the one hand, and silica and other
insoluble matters on the other ; or the appearance of
the grain and lustre. There was, however, a striking
coincidence between the specific gravities of the differ-
ent specimens and the scale of accretion — the rapidity
of formation of the tubercles appearing to be in a direct
ratio with the specific gravity. This has thrown some
light on the subject, which will be the subject of future
observation. Professor Horsford is disposed to recom-
mend a coating of hydraulic cement to protect the
pipes, if, on the trial which is now making, it is found
to adhere ; and he states, that after the result of the
experiments now in progress is known, he has no doubt
that the cause of the accretions and the mode of pre-
venting them will be ascertained.
For information more in detail of the state of the
various parts of the works, the Board would respectfully
refer the City Council to the full Report of the City
Engineer, hereto annexed.
Extension of the Worhs.
The amount of Distributing Pipes, of 12, 6, 8, and 4
inches diameter, laid during the year, is 13,090 feet,
and 19 Stopcocks were affixed to the same. The whole
length of all the pipes, of 4 inches and upwards in
diameter, including hydrant branches and bends, is
now a little more than 109 miles.
The whole number of Stopcocks, 941.
1854.] CITY DOCUMENT.— No. 16. 17
The number of Service Pipes laid during the year, is
687, or 19,588 feet. The whole number, is 17,340 pipes.
The number of Hydrants established during the year
is 25. The whole number is 1,185.
The whole number of leaks, which occurred and
were repaired, in pipes of 4 inches and upwards, was
85 ; the last year, 82 ; in those of less than 4 inches,
260; the last year, it was 241.
Compensating Reservoirs.
The Compensating Reservoirs, at Hopkinton and
Marlborough, are also in a satisfactory condition, and
have fully answered the purpose for which they were
designed, viz., the supplying Concord River with a
quantity of water for the use of the Mills at Billerica,
and also the Middlesex Canal, sufficient to compensate
for supposed loss which they might sustain, by reason
of our having diverted the water of Lake Cochituate
from the same. The estimated amount discharged from
both Reservoirs, from June 1 to October 1, was 1,413,-
712,000 gallons.
The natural supply of the Lake, during the same
period, was 548,908,600 gallons, besides what was
wasted at the natural outlet, which also continued to
supply the River.
The quantity discharged from the Reservoirs was
more than two and a half times greater than what
would have been the natural supply of the Lake. In
fact the amount actually wasted from the latter, during
the months of July and August, is believed to have
been nearly or quite as much as would have flowed
from the Lake, during the same period, if the dam had
not been built.
18 WATER. [Jan.
Lands helonging to the Water Works.
The lands and other property purchased for the City,
at the time of the construction of the works, continue
in the same state as at the last annual report, with the
exception of a small lot which has been sold for ^100
and the amount paid into the Treasury.
Heceipts and Expenditures.
By the account of Receipts and Expenditures for the
year, hereto annexed, the same appear to have been as
follows : —
The whole amount drawn from City
Treasury, . - . . ^89,854.03
From which deducting.
Paid for Land and Water
Eights, - - - ^ 1,005.00
Paid for extension of the
Works, - - - 51,327.48
52,332.48
Amount of current expenses, - ;^37,521.55
The whole amount of receipts, (ex-?
cepting receipts for water rates,)
was' as follows:
For rents and sundries paid
to City Treasurer, by ac-
count annexed, - - ^4,621.40
For rents and sundries,
charged in various , ac-
counts, - - - 708.29
— » — - 5,329.69
Balance, - , - ^32,191.86
1851] CITY DOCUMENT.— No. 16. 19
The whole cost of the Water Works to January 1,
1854, has been #5,574,323.15.
It is calculated by the Water Eegistrar, that the
amount saved to the city the past year in the cost of
maintaining the Fire Department, by the use of the
Cochituate Water, has been ^51,705 ; which added to
the receipts for water-rates, &c., and from other sources,
will now fully equal the interest payable on the total
cost of the Water Works
Water Tenants and Water Rents.
By the Annual Report of the Water Registrar, it ap-
pears that the whole number of water takers, now en-
tered for the present yep,r, is 17,911, being an increase
for the past year of 1,049, to which must be added
259, being' for Public Buildings which have been assess-
ed, pursuant to an order of the City Council.
The number of cases where the water has been shut
off for repairs on the pipes has been 1,238, of these
1,126 have been afterwards let on.
The number shut off for non-payment of water rates
was 532, and of these 459 were afterwards let on.
The number let on for the first time was 804. No
abatements have been made.
The whole amount received for the year was $1^6,-
352.32, of which #2,363.88 was due for previous years.
And there has been received for letting on water pre- •
viously shut off for non-payment of rates, #838 ; mak-
ing the whole amount received #197,190.32. Of this
amount #2,010.61 was received on account of Jamaica
Pond.
The assessments for 1854 already amount to #180,-
144.31.
The estimate of receipts for the present year is
#215,000.
The expenses of the office have been #2,295.17.
20 WATER. [Jan.
The Report also contains a detailed statement of the
number and kind of water takers to whom the water
has been supplied, and the several amounts paid ; of
which the following abstract has been prepared :
13,632 Dwelling-houses, - - - ^119^891.18
1,845 Stores, shops, offices, cellars, &c.,
16,006.93
283 Hotels, restaurants, and saloons,
6,459.57
480 Stables, - - - - , -
6,515.38
8 Railroads, _ _ _ -
6,527.20
2 Ferry Companies, - - -
1,006.53
16 Steamboats, - - - -
3,055.81
932 Hose, - - - - -
2,829.00
1 Motive-power, - - - -
535.51
63 Sugar Refineries, distilleries, brew-
eries, and bakeries.
6,635.93
3 Gas Companies, - - .
514.47
Other manufacturing purposes, -
16,247.23
Public buildings, charitable insti-
tutions, &c., - - - -
1,053.83
Shipping contract with watermen,
3,900.06
Street Waterers, - - -
655.88
Building purposes, - - -
609.93
Other purposes, - - -
1,544.00
;§fl93,988.44
The Board also transmit to the City Council, pursu-
ant to the provisions of the ordinance, the Annual Re-
ports of the City Engineer and Water Registrar.
Respectfully submitted.
Thomas Wetmore> President.
John H. Wilkins,
Henry B. Rogers,
Jonathan Preston,
Adam W. Thaxter,
Sampson Reed,
Thomas Sprague,
• Cochituate Water Board.
APPENDIX.
EXPENDITURES.
Statement of all expenditures made hy the Cochituate
Water Board, from December 3lst, 1852, to January 1st,
1854.
Blacksmith Shop, for stock, &c,,
-
222.07
Plumbing " " « "
-
56.65
Proving yard " " "
-
91.63
Cartage, Boston, - - -
-
292.73
'' S. " . ^ -
-
50.62
" E. «
-
255.12
Wagon hire, for Sup't of Iron
Aqueducts, - - -
-
269.75
Travelling Expenses,
-
633.56
Salaries, - _ - -
-
7,835.99
Office expenses, for rent, fixtures.
&c., _ _ . -
-
1,591.85
Postages, - _ _ -
-
30.94
Expresses, - - - -
-
25.42
Stationery", - _ - _
-
133.89
Printing, _ _ - -
-
646.35
Advertising, _ _ -
-
11.38
Recording Deeds, &c..
-
1.00
Miscellaneous Expenses,
-
279.25
Taxes, _ _ - -
1,371.11
Amount carried forward,
$13,799.31
APPENDIX.
Amount brought forward,
$13,79,9.31
Lanterns, - _ .
-
48.75
Oil and Wicking,
-
86.73
Tools, - - - -
-
2,211.11
Fountains, - _ _
-
352.91
Beacon Hill Reservoir, for labor, &c.,
480.16
South Boston " " "
cc
322.51
East Boston " " "
li
327.83
Brookline " " "
11
497.65
Aqueduct Repairs, for labor and
Materials,
-
9,304.28
Lake Cochituate, for labor, «fec
'•;
213.53
Tolls and Ferriages,
-
163.24
Service Pipes,
-
804.78
" " Boston,
"
1,485.52
li li g^ a
-
805.33
a u ^_ u
-
1,392.77
Water Pipes, - -
-
18,373.67
" " Boston,
-
82.24
li li E u
-
1,642.65
Hydrants, _ - -
-
538.93
" Boston,
-
398.56
S. " -
-
3.58
a E. "
-
9.59
Hydrant Boxes,
-
268.49
" " Boston,
-
46.20
Stop Cocks,
-
345.49
" " Boston,
-
496.26
" " S. "
-
169.48
" " E. "
-
166.48
Stop Cock Boxes, -
-
268.48
« " " Boston,
-
30.45
" " " S. "
-
7.65
11 li li g_ a
-
9.40
Air Cocks, - - -
-
7.87
Union Stop Cocks,
-
130.00 41,492.57
Amount carried forward, $55,291.88
APPENDIX.
6
Amount hrovght forward,
$55,291.88
Laying Water Pipes, Bostc
3n,
-
413.34
" " " S. "
-
-
136.07
£i (t ii J]_ U
-
-
624.37
Laying Service Pipes,
-
-
109.55
Water Meters,
-
-
3,810.43
Repairing Streets, Boston,
-
-
552.54
" " S. "
-
-
40.33
«£ " E. "
-
-
78.75
," Water Pipes, -
-
-
20.66
" Stop Cocks, -
-
-
916.03
" Stop Cock Boxes,
-
-
30.10
" Hydrants,
-
-
41.22
" Hydrant Boxes,
-
-
42.76
Marlboro' Reservoir,
-
-
25.25
Whitehall "
-
-
23.05
Rents, - -
-
-
92.00
Land Damages,
-
-
15.00
Land and Water Rights,
-
-
1,005.00
Water Works, East Boston,
-
-
882.28
" " Boston,
-
-
1.25
Damages, Boston, -
-
-
15.00
Jamaica Pond Aqueduct,
-
-
13.50
Cash, for sums received and
paid
to
City Treasurer,
-
-
472.73
New Pipe Yard and Repair Shop,
-
9,969.33
Stable for horses, vehicles, &c..
-
1,154.«)3
Chas. R. Train, Esq.,
-
-
1,000.00 21,485.47
Amount carried forward, $76,777.35
Amount Paid for Labor, viz :
Letting on and shutting off Water, - 1,394.66
Blowing off Hydrants, - - - 651.87
Laying Water Pipes, Boston, - 982.17
" " " S. " - - 541.08
" « " E. " - - 2,113.94
Amount carried forward, $5,683.72
4 APPENDIX.
Amounts brought forward^
$5,683.72 176,777.35
Laying Service Pipes, Boston,
- 1,102.65
u u a g^ ((
-
453.60
li a (( J]^ u
-
630.85
Blacksmith Shop, -
-
659.17
Plumbing " - -
-
529. 12
Proving Yard,
-
- 2,033.95
Repairing Streets, Boston,
-
198.47
" " S. " -
-
12.17
(( u E. " -
-
17.88
" Water Pipes,
-
558.41
" Service "
1 ~
748.81
" Hydrants,
-
796.66
" Stop Cocks,
-
113.68
Miscellaneous,
-
195.70
Jamaica Pond Aqueduct, -
"
50.13 13,784.97
190,562.32
Cr.
Marlboro' Reservoir,
-
150.00
Whitehall "
-
167.81
Rents, - - - -
-
352.18
Old Materials,
-
8.30
Henry Richardson,
-
30.00 708.29
Amount drawn for, - - $89,854.03
* Cash paid City Treasurer.
For Rents, &.c., at Saxonville, - 244.93
" at Wayland, - - 196.00
" at Marlboro', - - 100.00
" at Needham, - - 13.50
" at Brookline, - - 39.37
" at East Boston, - 10.00
" an old box used for water pipes, 75.00
« Iron Pipes, &c., - - - 131.29
« Old Pipes, - . - - 231.04
" Engineering Instruments, - - 28.00
Amount carried forward^ . 1,069.13
APPENDIX. a
Amounts brought forward, $1,069.13 $89,854.03
For Land sold in Needham, - - 100.00
'' Sundries sold, - - - - 106.38
Amount paid by the Service Clerk.
For filling cisterns, - - 51.00
" Service Pipe and laying, 1,730.14
" Shutting off and letting
on water, - - - 1,564.75 3,345.S9 4,621.40
Balance, - - - - - $85,232.63
Payments made by the Cochituate Water Board,
for unsettled claims and extension of the
Works, viz :
Unsettled Claims.
Land and Water rights, - - 1,005.00
Extension of the Work.
Main Pipes, . . . _ 20,098.56
Service Pipes, - - - - 4,448.40
Water Meters, - - - - 3,810.43
Hydrants, - - - - - 950.66
Stop Cocks, . . - . 1,307.71
Labor laying Main Pipes, - - 3,637.19
" " Service Pipes, - - 2,187.10
" at Proving Yard, - - 2,033.95
New Pipe Yard and Repair Shop, 9,969.33
Tools, 2,046.39
Horses, Vehicles, &c., - - - 797.76 52,332.48
Amount of current expenses, $37,521.55
APPENDIX.
Statement of the Expenditures a7id Receipts, on account of
the Water Works, to January 1st, 1854.
Amount drawn by the Commissioners, - 4,043,718.21
« " " Vv^ater Board, of 1850, 366,163.89
" " " C. W. Board of 1851, 141,309.23
" " " C. W. Board of 1852, 89,654.20
" " " C. W. Board of 1853, 89,854.03
$4,730,699.56
Amount paid into the City Treasury by the
Commissioners, - - - 47,648.38
Amount paid into the City Treas-
ury by the Water Board of 1850, 8,153.53
Amount paid into the City Treas-
ury by C. W. Board of 1851, 5,232.38
Amount paid into the City Treas-
ury by C. W. Board of 1852, 15,869.12
Amount paid into the City Treas-
ury by C. W. Board of 1853, 4,621.40 81,524.80
$4,649,174.76
Sundry payments by the City, 38,403.00
Discount and interest on loans, 1,596,570.42 1,634,973.42
$6,284,148.18
Sundry credits by the City, 884.23
Am't received for Water Rents, &c., 708,940.80 709,825.03
Whole cost of Water Works, to Jan. 1, 1854, $5,574,323.15
SAMUEL HOLBROOK,
Clerk of Cochiluate Water Board.
CITY ENGINEER'S REPOET.
City Engineer's Office,
Boston^ Jan. 5, 1854.
Thomas Wetmore, Esq,.,
President of the Cochituate Water Board :
Sir, — Pursuant to the 13th section of the City Ordinances
of Oct. 31st, 1850, the following Report is made, relative
to " the general condition of the Water Works," and to
other matters of interest connected therewith. The same
order that was followed in the last Annual Report will be
observed in this.
Lake Cochituate.
The gate house, outlet dam, roads, culverts, and other
structures, together with the grounds around the Lake, are
all in good order.
The same precautions that were taken in 1852, to avoid
having the marshes at the south end of the Lake uncovered
during the warm season, were taken in 1853 ; and no cases
of sickness, supposed to have been caused by malaria arising
from these marshes, have come to the knowledge of any one
connected with the Water Works.
The least average depth of water, in both divisions of the
Lake, above the level of low water, (or 3 feet 10 inches
above the bottom of the Aqueduct,) was that of Oct. 24th,
when it was 4 feet 3 1-2 inches, or only 3 feet 2 1-2 inches
below high water level, as established by the Water Act.
Brick Aqueduct aiid Structures between the Lake and the
Brookline Reservoir.
The interior of the Aqueduct has not been cleansed dur-
ing the past year, for two reasons. First, it has not been
8 APPENDIX.
convenient to do so, on account of the repairs that have
been making in it ; which are still going on, and which it is
very desirable should be completed before the next warm
season. Next, it was not thought to be so necessary as
usual, on account of the frequent flushings it has received,
by drawing off and letting on water in very large quantities
every week. A very recent examination, however, shows
that the deposit mentioned in the last Annual Report has
again taken place, and must be removed within a short
time.
The peculiar vegetable substance, occurring in patches of
from one inch to one foot in diameter, and first discovered
in the Aqueduct last year, when it was confined to the mile
nearest the Lake, is now found in every part of the Aque-
duct, from the Lake to the Brookline Reservoir. It is so
tender, however, that the ordinary cleansing of the Aque-
duct is sufficient to remove it. There is reason to believe
that it grows very luxuriantly in comparatively still water,
as will be mentioned under the head of Iro?i Pipes.
No new cracks have been discovered in the Aqueduct,
except one about fifty feet long, on the side hill near Morse's
Pond, where several others have taken place in former years.
None of the old ones have given any trouble, except that at
Webber's barn, where repairs were made in 1851, and men-
tioned in the Report for that year. This point will require
a slight going over during the coming season.
The bridges, culverts, waste-weirs, and embankments,
along the line of the aqueduct, and the iron pipe across Charles
river, are all in good order.
The work of repairing the interior of the Aqueduct, men-
tioned in the last Annual Report, has been prosecuted unre-
mittingly ever since, whenever it could be carried on; so
that of the fourteen thousand feet which it was then thought
advisable to go over, only three thousand remain to be done ;
and there is good reason to believe that this will be com-
pleted in May next.
That portion of it which has been done the longest gives
all the satisfaction that was at first expected of it ; and
APPENDIX. y
there is every probability that it will prove permanently
effectual, wherever the coating of English cement has been
applied. At one time, when there was no English cement
on hand, and when it was thought by one of the foremen
that good American cement would answer the purpose, a
trial was made. The usual precautions were taken, of wash-
ing the surface of the brick work with diluted nitro-sulphuric
acid, of temporarily stopping even the smallest leaks with
pieces of shingle, and of applying the cement immediately
after being mixed ; but the result was a failure, compared
with the far superior effect of the English cement used in
the same way. Our experience proves that the best Ameri-
can cement we have been able to procure will not, when
newly laid, withstand the effect of pressure and percolation
of water through it, in consequence of the solubility of some
of its particles.
In no case has the water been shut off from the Aqueduct
more than four days, on account of these repairs ; and very
rarely more than three days ; as a longer period has been
found to affect sensibly the high service in the City.
The Brookline Reservoir.
All the grounds and structures around this Reservoir have
been kept in the same good condition they were in at the
date of the last Annual Report.
The two large Meters there have not yet given that
satisfaction in determining the consumption of water by the
City, that was expected of them. Owing to their size and
the position in which they are necessarily placed, it has been
found quite difficult to make the valves lift, at the proper
point to prevent the passage of water through them without
being measured. The Air Chambers which have been re-
sorted to, to remove this difficulty, and which promised to
be so successful at first, have repeatedly failed and let in
water. Still, one of these meters has run very smoothly for
upwards of six months, and although it did not measure
10 APPENDIX.
accurately, according to the register, its error was uniform
under the same head, and being once ascertained, could be
used in correcting the registered quantities. In October,
both the meters ran unusually well, and it was then that
the measurements for every hour in the day were made,
which will be found under the head of " Consumption of
Water."
Mr. Huse, who has been so successful with his smaller
meters, in this and in other cities, still thinks he can make
them do all tliat was promised ; and that he will be able to
overcome the difficulty of making the Air Chambers suffi-
ciently strong, and at the same time sufficiently light, to
answer the purpose.
City Reservoirs.
These are all in the same condition that they were in at
the date of the last Annual Report. The one on Beacon
Hill is in perfect order ; the one at South Boston has the
same shabby fence between it and the grounds on Telegraph
Hill ; and the one at East Boston still leaks, but no more
than it did formerly. Nothing has been done during the
past year to stop this leak, because it was thought best to
keep the repair force employed in the interior of the brick
aqueduct.
The following tabular statements of the average depths
of water in the Beacon Hill and South Boston Reservoirs
for each month, as far as any records exist, in 1S50, '51, '52,
and '53, will be found very interesting, as showing the con-
stant decline, from year to year, in the height at which the
water stands in the City.
APPENDIX.
11
Average monthly depths of Water in Beacon Hill Reservoir,
for the years 1850, 1851, 1852, and 1S53.
January,
February,
March,
April,
May, -
June, •
July, -
August,
September,
October,
November, ■
December, •
Month.
Average for the year,
1850.
12.31
11.67
10.80
10.68
11.17
11.15
11.06
10 62
9.61
11.01
1851.
■9.8S
10.56
12.64
12.08
10.69
10.99
12.25
1067
11 70
11.72
11.87
11.33
1852.
9.70
10 20
10 93
11.29
8.82
8.61
7.82
7.82
6.30
8.05
811
5 24
11.36 8.57
1853.
7.05
5.84
7.59
8.61
6.39
6 05
6.43
7.05
6.13
7.29
7.16
6.76
6.86
The apparent anomalies in this statement will be found
explained in the last annual report.
Statement of the average depths of Water in the South
Boston Reservoir.
Month.
January,
February, -
March,
April,
May, -
June, -
July, -
August,
September, -
October,
November, -
December, -
Average,
1850.
15 07
15 27
14.88
* 14.05
1851.
1 13.04
14 80
14 00
13 25
6.68
8.34
9.77
12.3.";
13 15
13 78
11.90
11 91
1852.
926
10.30
11.31
11 80
9.08
8.52
10.87
12.11
8.38
10.89
11 30
1000
1032
1858.
9.44
9.17
10.35
11.27
9.51
7.31
7.33
7.68
6.61
6.84
7.61
6.67
8.31
* For 17 days in April, 1850,
t " 21 " in February, 1851.
The average depths of water in the South Boston Reser-
voir give a more correct idea of the constant decline going
on in the height to which it ordinarily rises in the city, than
those of the Beacon Hill Reservoir ; but it should he remem-
bered, that, during the past year, the height of water in the
city has been about two feet less than it would have been,
if no repairs had been made in the interior of the aqueduct.
12
APPENDIX.
These required the water to be drawn off, generally, for three
days in each week, during which time the Brookline Reser-
voir fell, on an average, four feet.
The causes of the general decline, from year to year,
in the surfaces of these reservoirs, will be explained under
the head of ^^ Iron Pipes''^ and ^^Consumption of Water"
Iron Pipes.
The following statements of the whole amount of Pipes
laid, up to the present time, and of the localities of those laid
during the past year, have been prepared in the same form as
those in the Annual Reports of 1851 and 1852.
Statement of the length of different sizes of pipes laid, and
stopcocks put in, to Jan. 1st, 1854.
DIAMETER
OF PIPE IN INCHES.
36
30
24
20
16
12
6
4
Aggregate.
Feet of pipe ]
laid in Brook-
line, Roxbury, ■
and Boston
19,355
30,332
5,773
5,714
47,885
201,936
68,860
proper,
No. of stop- )
cocks in the >
4
7
10
12
95
410
172
same, )
Feet of pipe '
laid in and
for South
Boston and
Dorchester,
8,155
10,922
50,660
17,435
No. of stop- }
cocks in same, )
3
25
68
24
Feet of pipe )
laid in and for >
East Boston, ;
15,972
1,523
10,9Q7
57,046
2,171
No. of stop- \
cocks in same, )
5
3
17*
78
6
Feet of pipe in )
Newton and >
Needham, )
1,958
No. of stop- )
cocks in same, )
I
1
Totals.
556,604 ft
or JOS miles
and 2204 ft.
Length of )
pipe laid, )
19,355
32,290
5,773
24,127
7,237
69,714^309,642
88,466
Number of J
stopcocks [
put in, )
4
7
10
8
15
138 557
202
941
* Including one in branch for State Prison pipe.
APPENDIX.
13
If to the above aggregate length of pipes, be added the
length of the hydrant branches and bends, about 18,960 feet,
or a little more than 3 1-2 miles, the whole length of pipes,
4 inches and upwards in diameter, laid down in and for all
parts of the City of Boston, will be a small fraction over 109
miles.
Statement of the location^ size, and number of feet of dis-
tributing pipes laid in the year 1853.
In what Streets.
Waltham, -
Leverett,
Tremont, -
Tremont, •
Lenox,
Hanson,
Union Pai'k,
Union Park,
Chester Square,
Chapman, -
Troy, - -
Concord, -
Tremont, -
City Wharf,
Sea, -
Bumstead Court
Eowe's Wharf,
Constitution Wh'f,
Turnpike, -
Third,
F, -
Seventh,
Sixth,
Boston Wharf,
Sixth,
Between what Streets.
Boston proper.
Einggold and Tremont,
At Cragie's Bridge, ...
Northampton and Camden, -
Waltham and Hanson,
Total, 12 inch in Boston proper,
Trainer Court and Tremont,
Ringgold and Tremont,
South side, ....
North side,
South side,
Washington and Shawmut Avenue,
Harrison Avenue and Albany,
Tremont and Shawmut Avenue, -
Camden and Lenox, ...
Total, 6 inch in Boston proper,
New Pipe Yard, . . . .
Total, 4 inch in Boston proper,
South Boston.
Sixth and Seventh, . - .
Total, 12 inch in South Boston,
I and K, - -
Sixth and Seventh,
F and Dorchester,
I and K,
B and C,
Total, 6 inch in South Boston,
Diameter
of pipe in
inches.
12
12
12
12
Feet
laid.
275
76
276
107
-
734
6
55
6
300
6
244
6
340
6
475
6
235
6
262
6
34
6
270
6
119
-
2,334
4
76
4
100
4
303
4
235
-
714
2
17
-
17
6
105
6
100
6
265
6
200
6
235
6
94
-
999
Remarks.
14
APPENDIX.
Statement continued.
Diameter
In what Streets.
Between what Streets.
of pipe in
Feet
Remarks.
inches.
laid.
Athens,
A and B,
4
84
Boston '\yharf, -
4
264
Gold, -
D and E, .
Total, 4 inch in South Boston,
East Boston.
4
337
685
Condor,
Brooks and Meridian, ...
12
830
Meridian, -
Condor and White, ...
12
776
AVliite,
Meridian and Brooks, - - .
12
372
Chelsea,
Putnam and Brooks, ...
12
180
Chelsea,
Marion and Brooks, .
Total, 12 inch in East Boston,
Chelsea and Bennington,
12
6
66
2,244
Putnam,
347
Jeffries,
6
259
Marginal, -
Jeffries and Cottage, -
6
295
Princeton, -
Eagle and Putnam, ...
6
400
White,
Eutaw and Putnam, ...
6
200
Putnam,
White and Eagle, ...
6
150
Chelsea,
Eagle and Glendon, ...
6
525
White,
Brooks and Eutaw, ...
6
138
Marion,
Bennington and Chelsea,
6
850
Border,
White and Eutaw, ...
6
162
Lexington, -
Brooks and Eagle, ...
Total, 6 inch in East Boston, •
6
4
1,650
4,976
Cunard Wharf, -
28
White,
Junction of White and Eutaw, -
4
20
Glendon,
Chelsea and Bremen, . . -
4
177
Lombard's Wharf,
Total, 4 inch in East Boston, .
4
162
387
R ecap itu la tio n .
Section.
1853.
Diameter in inches.
12
6
4
Boston proper.
Total number of feet laid.
734
2,334
714
Stopcocks in same,
South Boston,
t( II II II
17
3
999
2
685
Stopcocks in same,
East Boston,
II II 11 II
2,244
1
4,976
2
•387
Stopcocks in same.
Sums of Pipes, ... -
3
8
2,995
8,309
1,786
" " Stopcocks,
3
12
4
APPENDIX.
15
Service Pipes.
The whole number of service pipes put in, up to the pres-
ent time, is 17,340 ; of which 687 were laid during 1853,
Statement of Service Pipes laid in 1853.
Diameter
in inches.
Boston proper.
South Boston.
East Boston.
Total.
Number.
Length
in feet.
Number.
Length
in feet.
Number.
Length
in feet.
Number.
18
16
653
687
Length
in feet.
2
1
3
1
G
6
389
23
218
232
9,222
6
6
120
483
234
3,779
6
4
144
rgregate,
788
173
4,459
1,489
639
17,460
19,588
During a part of last year, the price of lead rose so high,
that tin pipes of equal strength, (nat of equal weight,) could
be purchased for a cent less per running foot. As an unusual
effort was made, about that time, to spread before the public,
particularly in New York, objections against the use of lead
for service pipes, quite a number of tin pipes were inserted
when applications were made for the introduction of water
into houses. It is, and has been for several years, the cus-
tom, according to your instructions, to lay tin or cast-iron
service pipes, when objection is made to lead before the pipe
is laid. There has always been a doubt, however, with re-
gard to the durability of tin; and facts recently ascertained
show, that in other places, pipes of this metal have not lasted
two years. In one case, the metal was supposed to be im-
pure ; in another, the soil in which the pipe was laid acted
injuriously upon it ; so that these trials may not be fair
ones. It should be remembered, however, that, as a metal,
tin was known to the ancients ; and yet there appear to be
no cases of pipes made of it mentioned, in any published ac-
counts of the Roman or other ancient Water Works.
The cast-iron service pipes, about 2500 of which were
laid five or six years ago, will probably all have to be taken
up, as they are rapidly fiUijig with rust. A few days since,
16
APPENDIX.
one had to be taken out of Park Street on this account. As
to unlined wrought iron pipes, they fill up more rapidly than
the unlined cast-iron ones ; but none of them have ever beeij
laid by the City. Private individuals, however, who had ob-
jections to the use of lead, have laid them in their houses ; and
will, in every instance, sooner or later, be obliged to take
them out.
Repairs of Pipes.
During the year 1853, the following leaks occurred, and
were repaired.
Where.
Diameter of Pipe in inches.
36
30
24
20
16
12
6
4
2
n
1
3
4
f
Tot.
Boston proper,
6
4
1
1
1
6
21
19
5
48
10
5
159
286
South Boston,
3
2
2
2
1
14
24
East Boston,
5
3
6
3
2
4
12
35
Total,
6
4
1
9
1
11
29
24
7
48
15
.5
185
345
Of the leaks that occurred in pipes 4 inches and upwards
in diameter, 10 were caused by flaws or defects, (6 in the
pipes, and 4 in the stopcocks,) not discovered in the proving
press, 3 by settling of the earth, 1 by being drilled into
by the Gas Company's workmen, by mistake, and 71 by loos-
ening of the lead in the joints, as more fully explained below.
Total, 85, or one in every 1.28 miles.
Of the leaks that occurred in the service and two-inch pipes,
112 were caused by flaws or defects, (65 in the pipes, 3 in the
stopcocks, and 34 in the connections,) 5 by rats gnawing lead
pipes, 15 by tenants, 15 by digging for sewers and gas, 11
by being accidentally struck by picks, and 83 mostly by set-
tling of earth. Total, 241, or 1 to every 72 service pipes,
nearly.
The table includes 17 service pipes that were opened to
take out fish, and 2 to remove rust.
APPENDIX. IT
Statement of the 7iumber of Leaks, 1850-53.
Leaks in pipes of a diameter of
Year.
4 inches and upwards.
Less than 4 inches.
Total.
1850
1851
1852
1853
32
64
82
85
72
173
241
260
104
237
323
345
The foregoing statement shows that the annual rate of in-
crease in the number of leaks is becoming very small, and it
is hoped that it will before long change to a decrease. It is a
gratifying fact, that of all the leaks that occurred in 1853,
from defective lead joints, in pipes four inches and upwards
in diameter, not one took place in any of the pipes laid dur-
ing the last three years. Whether this is owing to the groove
adopted to prevent the lead from working out, or to more
faithful workmanship, more time is needed to decide.
As the statement shows that much the greater number of
leaks occur in the service pipes, which other cities do not
put in, and do not have to take care of, at their own expense,
it may be asked, " what has Boston gained by incurring
this expense ? " The following statement will show that
Boston has a larger water revenue in proportion to the popula-
tion, than any of the other cities mentioned ; and there is every
reason to suppose that one great cause of this has been, the
policy adopted by the City of inducing as many persons as
possible to take the water, by laying the service pipes with-
out charge to tenants. It should be remembered, however,
that the average chai'ge to each tenant in Boston is greater
than it is in some other cities, particularly Philadelphia ; but
the quantity consumed is also greater here for each tenant,
than in any other city except New York.
18
APPENDIX.
Gross income, in dollars.
Population.
18 5 0.
18 5 1.
18 5 2.
18 5 0.
New York, - . -
=^Philadelphia, - -
Boston, . . . -
Cincinnati, - - -
Eichmond, - - -
449,733.90
132,592 31
97,943 14
74,381.41
451,665 00
140,313 50
162,31772
80,448.37
19,153.51
519 572 56
151,323.12
177,012.41
91,442 44
515,507
187,195
136,871
115,436
27,482
* Including only the districts supplied by the Fairmount Water Works,
The gross income of the nme Water Companies of London,
in 1848, was about $2,125,000 (£425,000.) The population
of that city, in that year, was about 2,200,000.
The deeply interesting and important subject of accretions
or rust in the interior of the iron pipes has received much
attention during the past year, and a personal inspection has
been made, in company with Prof. Horsford, of the whole
length of each of those across the Valley of Charles River.
That examination, together with one made at the East Boston
Reservoir, has led to farther suggestions as to the causes, and
the rate and mode of growth, of these accretions, which will
no doubt be communicated to you by Prof. Horsford him-
self.
The mechanical effect of these accretions, in retarding and
diminishing the flow of water through the pipes, has become
very sensible ; and much pains has been taken to ascertain its
amount. By repeated observations on one of the pipes across
the Charles River Valley, under different heads, of from two
inches to two feet, it was found, that the loss of discharge^
under the common head of six inches, was upwards of twenty
per cent, of the known discharge of a new pipe of the same
diameter. This pipe was then cleaned or scraped out, and
the observations on its discharge repeated ; when it was found
that its effective diameter was restored to thirty inches.
Similar observations on the quantity discharged by the 30-
inch pipe, between the Brookline and Beacon Hill Reservoirs,
show that it experiences, under the ordinary head of S feet,
a loss of twenty per cent. But as, in reality, no less water
is used on account of these accretions, it has to be delivered
APPENDIX. 19
at a level usually not less than three feet lower than a new
and clean pipe would deliver it. [For an account of the de-
tails of these observations see Note at the end of this report.]
The cost of clearing out, rather imperfectly, the Charles
River Valley pipe, which is 956 feet long, was $138.50, or
about 141-2 cents afoot. Unfortunately, the pipe between
the Brookline and Beacon Hill Reservoirs cannot be cleaned
out in the same way at present ; as the inconvenience to the
city during the process would be intolerable, and the present
diminished depth in the Beacon Hill and South Boston Res-
ervoirs would be as nothing in comparison with it. It would
be possible to do it, however, if man-holes were placed in
this pipe every thousand feet ; and if the tenants on the high
service could be induced to depend for six or eight weeks
upon the supply they might be able to retain in their cisterns
or other vessels, for three days together in each week.
Stopcocks.
These, with one or two unimportant exceptions, are all
believed to be in good order.
The wooden boxes that were first put around them are
rapidly decaying, and many have had to be renewed. For
the last two years all the new ones put in have been of Bur-
nettized lumber, prepared in Lowell. It is too soon to make
any comparison of their durability with that of the old ones ;
but there is very satisfactory ground for believing, that it
will be fully sufficient to justify the additional expense of
preparing the timber.
Hydrants.
During the year, 7 new hydrants were established in the
City proper, 8 in South Boston, and 10 in East Boston. Al-
together there have been established, up to the present time —
In Boston proper, ------ 824
" South Boston, 192
20 APPENDIX.
In East Boston, __---_ 146
" Brookline, ______ i
" Roxbury, -_.___ 4
" Charlestown, - - - --- H
" Chelsea, -__-__ 7
Total, 1185
The precautions mentioned in the report for the year 1851
for keeping these hydrants constantly in order, continue to
be taken ; and the Chief Engineer of the Fire Department
states, that in no case, during the year, were they found out
of order when opened for use at fires.
New Pipe Yard.
During the past year, the new repair shop and pipe yard
on Sea Street have been completed, and fitted up with almost
every desirable convenience for carrying on the operations of
the Pipe Department. It is not expected or believed that a
mechanic will do any more work in a given time at the yard,
than he would elsewhere ; but the expense and loss of time
in sending small jobs to and from other shops may be saved ,•
and the work often more satisfactorily done. And as men
must be kept winter and summer, to repair leaks, they can
be usefully employed at the shop when there are no leaks to
repair.
The long experience of Philadelphia, the economical man-
agement of whose Water Works has been and still is a model
for other cities, confirms the propriety of the system adopted
by the Board in this respect.
APPENDIX.
21
Statement of Pipes and other stock on hand, exclusive of
Tools, January \st, 1854.
Diameters in inches.
36
30
24
20
16
12
6
4
2
i|
Jamaica
Aqueduct.
10
No. of Pipes, - -
Blow off Branches,
Y Branches, - - -
3 Way Branches, •
4 Way Branches, -
Flange Pipes, - -
Sleeves, - . - -
Pnna .....
9
2
6
10
7
72
4
1
2
2
13
10
2
1
9
2
9
1
2
6
1
2
40
2
5
2
1
7
1
23
1
4
1
8
2
9
3
65
.
1
16
4
5
1
3
3
2
210
2
10
5
14
13
7
2
12
2
127
3
20
44
4
6
3
37
34
4
2
64
20
-
7
6
Bevelled Pipes, - -
Curved Pipes, - -
Quarter Turns, ■ -
Double Hubs, - -
Stop Cocks, - - -
4
4
2
2
^ Hydrants.
60 Old Kingston,
2 Wilmarth's,
10 Lowell,
3 Ballard Yale,
4L(
>ng,
(Nt
;wl
loxk
pal
tern
/^or Hydrants. 8 Bends, 10 Lengtheners, 36 Nipples, 27
Wharf Nipples, 47 Composition Nipples, 5 Frames and 6
Covers, 49 Lowell Screws, 44 Kingston Screws, 5 Spare
Screws, 82 Caps, 7 Bend Rings, 14 Straps for Bend Rings,
29 Sets of Straps, 37 Straps, 33 Wastes, 7B Rings, 33 Wharf
Cocks, 13 3- Way Cocks, 13 Wharf Couplings, 37 Valve Rods,
22 Bolts and Nuts, 12 Bottoms, 17 Seats, 10 Connections,
Castings for 25 Hydrants, Lowell pattern.
For Stopcocks. Castings for 6 4-inch Stopcocks, 2 12-
inch Valves, and 1 Screw, 1 6-inch Valve, 1 4-inch Valve, 1
Frame and Cover, 32 Cross Bars for large Stopcocks, 8 Gate
Stands, 9 Rings, 1 Set Bolts, 600 Bolts for small Stopcocks,
4 large Composition Nuts, 65 brass Screws for Stopcock
Flanges.
23
APPENDIX.
For Service Pipes. 474 Square Boxes, 13 T Boxes, 32
long Boxes, 1 Y Box, 5 flanges, Caps and Tabes, 34 2-inch
Uprights, 180 Caps for 2-inch Uprights, 30 1-inch Air Cocks,
11 1-inch Flange Cocks, 63 3-4-inch Flange Cocks, 352 5-8-
inch Flange Cocks, 19 5-8-inch Y Cocks, 19 5-8 T Cocks, 33
3-4-inch T Cocks, 13 1-inch T Cocks, 57 1-inch Main Cocks,
47 3-4-inch Main Cocks, 39 5-8-inch Main Cocks, 43 5-8-inch
Straight Cocks, 23 5-8-inch Cocks, large size, for repairs, 17
1-inch Couplings, 39 3-4-inch Couplings, 31 5-8-inch Coup-
lings.
Water Meters. 4 large size, (new,) 10 small size, (new,)
24 large size, (second hand,) 15 small size, (second hand,) I
large size Power Meter.
Lead Pipe. 288 feet of 1-inch, 275 feet of 3-4-inch, 738
feet of 5-8-inch.
Block Tin Pipe. 297 feet of 3-4-inch, 75 feet of 5-8-inch.
Pig Lead, 936 lbs. Sheet Lead, 150 lbs. Gasket, 750 lbs.
Consumption of Water.
Daily average number of wine gallons, drawn from, the
Brookline Reservoir.
Month.
1849.
1850.
1851.
1852.
1853.
January,
1,700,000
5,181,700
7,233,700
8,280,900
8,050,500
February,
-
5,214,000
7,221,100
8,790,300
8,643,600
March, -
1,550,000
4 841,200
6,137.900
8,521,100
8,202 200
April, . . .
-
4,961,000
5,365,200
8,048,700
7,903,600
May,
3,600,000
5346,100
6,238,400
8,350.000
8,123,400
June, . . -
4,300,000
6,906,500
7,925000
8,033,100
8,945,900
July,
4,800,000
8,514,200
7,180,200
9,608,000
8,809,200
August, ...
4,100,000
8,004,600
7,235,000
9,409,300
8,461,900
September,
4,800,000
6,585,500
7,230,600
7,920,000
8,640,700
October,
4,550,000
4,504,300
6,716,600
6,930,000
8,871,100
November,
3,800,000
4,960.500
6,473,500
6,637,900
8,624,700
December,
3,600,000
5,037,000
7,663,400
7,195,800
9,228,400
Average for the year,
3,680,000
5,837,900
6,883 800
8125,800
8,542,300
* The observations for February and April, 1849, were too imperfect to base
an estimate upon. The month of August was very wet. In the summers of
1849 and 1850, a great deal of water was used in flushing out the common sewers,
and for the public fountains. In JunC; 1851, unusual waste was made in the City,
APPENDIX.
23
In addition to the explanations made in the note at the foot
of the foregoing table, it might be mentioned, that the use of
the hand-hose was far less frequent, last summer, than formerly.
They were, in most instances, felt to be nuisances ; and, hav-
ing lost their novelty as playthings, will probably be confined
much more, hereafter, to purposes of actual utility.
The consumption or waste of water, so far beyond what is
known to be sufficient to meet all the wants of the City for
every legitimate purpose, has received, since the date of the
last annual report, more than usual attention. By the aid of
the meters at the Brookline reservoir, the consumption all
over our city, for each hour of the twenty-four, was obtained
for two consecutive days, and that in the City proper only,
for two days. The following statement shows the result
during twenty-four hours for the whole City, and during an
equal length of time for the City proper only.
Consumption, iu gallons, iij the
Consumption, in gallons, in the
Time, from
Time, from
Whole City.
City proper.
Whole City.
City proper.
P. M.
Oct. 20.
A. M.
Oct. 19.
Oct. 21.
7 to 8
.
252,000
10 to 11
461,000
434.000
8 to 9
-
240.000
11 to 12
463,000
427,000
9 to 10
-
234,000
p. M.
10 to 11
-
214,000
12 to 1
461,000
422 000
11 to 12
•
197,000
1 to 2
421.000
391,000
A.M.
Oct. 19.
Oct. 21.
2 to 3
465,000
379,000
12 10 1
234,000
194,000
3 to 4
5-22,000
395,000
1 to 2
2-J8,000
194,000
4 to 5
554,000
465.000
2 to 3
212,000
190,000
5 to 6
427,000
398,000
3 to 4
211,000
193.000
6 to 7
360,000
310,000
4 to 5
212,000
201,000
7 to 8
327.000
5 to 6
270.000
226,000
8 to 9
295,000
6 to 7
423.000
366.000
9 to 10
266000
7 to 8
463 000
407.000
10 to 11
248,000
8 to 9
9 to 10
49i,oro
488,000
458 000
424,000
11 to 12
234,000
8,736,000
7,611,000
to keep the Brookline Reservoir down. In December, the same year, the exces-
sive cold caused a great deal of water to be wasted, to prevent pipes in houses
from freezing. In December, 1852, the weather was very mild. The winter
months in the early part of 1853 were much milder than the corresponding ones
of 1852. In the spring and summer the pipes were flushed and " blown off" less
frequently than usual. The months of July and August were wetter than ordi-
nary.
24 APPENDIX.
The foregoing statement shows, that between midnight
and 4 A. M., October 19th, the consumption in all parts of the
City was 885,000 wine gallons, or at the rate of 5,310,000 gal-
Ions in 24 hours. It is utterly impossible that the half of this
quantity could have been legitimately used at such a time ;
and yet four sets of observations, for as many nights, show that
in the month of October, this rate of consumption or waste
was without material variation. Trials made in other months,
but with less care, give substantially the same result, except
in very cold weather, when the consumption at night is very
much increased, by letting the water run to prevent service
pipes from freezing.
The enormous and unnecessary consumption at night, led
to the supposition that there might be one or more large leaks,
in the main pipes, near the wharves, and on this account un-
discovered. In order to ascertain the truth of this, the City
proper was divided into nine districts, and by means of the
Beacon Hill Reservoir, the consumption in each district, be-
tween midnight and 4 A. M., was ascertained. These ob-
servations gave a result agreeing with those made at the
Brookline Reservoir, as to the aggregate consumption or
waste ; and showed that it was not confined to any single
district of the City proper, but was diffused all over it ; and
that there could be no very important undiscovered leaks in
any of the mains or distributing pipes. They proved also,
that no important leaks existed in the fiexihle or other pipes
which cross the channels to South and East Boston.
The next step was, to examine the sewers during the same
hours of the night. As most of these have their outlets near
low water, favorable tides occurred only once a fortnight ; and
consequently these examinations were rapidly made, around
the City proper. They showed that the waste was far less
from the districts occupied by the best class of houses, than
from those occupied by the poorest. For instance, the Bea-
con Street sewer was found to be entirely dry, and the Chest-
nut Street, and one or two other street drains, almost dry ;
while large quantities of water were discharged from several
others in the northern and western portions of the City, es-
APPENDIX. , 25
pecially from those in Cambridge and Canal Streets ; and
considerable amounts from nearly every one that was exam-
ined. It was not practicable to determine the quantities ac-
curately then ; but at a more favorable season it may be, ex-
cept where spring water enters the sewers. Enough, how-
ever, was ascertained, to show that all the consumption of
water was more than equalled by the discharge from the
sewers.
Examinations of the kind already made, if followed up,
together with those the Board have instructed the Water
Registrar to make on the premises of water-takers, promise
results of great importance, though much time and patience
may be required to bring them about. It is very certain, that
the steady nicrease of average daily consumption each year,
will soon render it necessary, in a season of unusual drought,
to resort to means not now under the control of the Board,
to meet the demands of the City, unless something can be
done to check the enormous waste now going on.
Compensating Reservoirs.
The Hopkinton and the Marlborough Reservoirs are in the
same good condition they were in a year ago.
The estimated amount discharged from the Hopkinton
Reservoir, between June 1st, and October I9th, was 704,937,-
000 gallons ; and from the Marlborough Reservoir, during the
same period, it was 708,775,000 gallons, being from both
1,413,712,000 gallons.
The estimated consumption by the City, during the same
time, was 1,241,370,000 gallons, which caused a depression
in the Lake of 38 1-2 inches, equivalent, for an average of
660 acres surface, to 692,462,000 gallons; leaving as the nat-
ural supply of the Lake 548,908,000 gallons, besides .what
was wasted through the natural outlet.
In consequence of the great amount of rain last year, to-
gether with the abandonment of the Middlesex canal, there
was but little scarcity of water at the Billerica Mills, as
shown by the report of the agent of the Board there.
26
APPENDIX.
Raiji Ganges^
Observations with rain gauges were made by persons in the
employ of the Water Board, and by others, the last year, in
the same manner as the year before, as will be seen by the
following table. The great differences in the quantity for
December, at different places, show the difficulties experienced
by the observers in measuring the equivalent of rain for the
amount of snow that fell.
Monthly fall of Rain, in inches, in 1S53.
Places and Observers.
Month.
Cam-
Lake Co-
Marl-
Provi-
Lowell,
Boston,
bridge,
Waltham.
chituate,
borough,
Hopkin-
dence,
by
by
by W. (;.
by
by
by J. H.
ton, by
by
Lowell
J. P. Hall.
Bond.
E. Hobbs.
J. Van-
.\laynard.
A. Wood.
A. Cas-
Man. Uo.
nevar.
well.
January, -
2.44
3.88
2.18
3.68
3.77
2.23
4.27
1.52
February, -
5.30
5.70
5.36
6.56
5.20
6.67
5.75
6.06
March, - -
2.27
3.31
2.33
2.92
2.4 S
1.89
1.35
2.05
April, - -
3.78
3.69
3.34
3.80
3.42
3.54
5.05
3.45
May, - - -
5.63
6.45
6.29
6.32
4.98
5.89
4.95
5.40
June, - - -
0.30
0.55
0.95
0.56
1.35
1.02
0.90
0.60
July, • - -
3.64
3.02
2.72
2.84
2.87
3.12
6.37
2.36
August, - -
9.40
8.59
7.78
7.20
8.52
6.53
8.38
8.37
September,
3.80
5.95
4.50
5.44
4.59
4.76
3.80
4.32
October, -
3.92
3.49
2.30
4.56
4.64
5.00
4.15
4. .30
November,
4.43
4.91
5.43
5.26
4.63
4.26
4.40
3.79
December,
3.95
4.29
1.86
6.59
4.82
2.96
3.90
1.70
Total,- -
48.86
53.83
45.04
55.86
51.27
47.87
53.27
43.92
Complaints of had Water.
Very few complaints on this account have been made dur-
ing the year ; although there was no general flushing of the
pipes, and much less "blowing off" at "dead ends" than
usual. The enormous quantity of water passing through
the pipes daily, it was thought, was quite sufficient to pre-
vent stagnation, except at the ends of courts.
Surveys and Plans.
None of importance made during the year.
APPENDIX. 27
Lands belonging to the Water Works.
No change in them worthy of note since the date of the
last Annual Report.
Jamaica Aqueduct.
This has received no special attention, nor has it given
much trouble during the year ; and it continues to supply all
who depend on it, in Roxbury.
Jamaica Pond has been kept low enough to prevent com-
plaints from those Avho live on its borders.
Expenditures.
For these reference is made to the statement of the Clerk
of the Water Board.
Which is respectfully submitted.
E. S. CHESBROUGH,
City Engineer.
Boston^ January 5th, 1854.
(For note referred to on page 19, see end of Appendix.)
28 APPENDIX.
WATEU EEGISTRAH'S EEPORT.
Water Office, ^
Boston, Jan. 2<i, 1854. \
Thomas Wetmore, Esq,.,
President of the Cochituate Water Board.
Sir:—
The Water Registrar," in compliance with the provisions of
the Ordinance, providing for the care and management of the
Boston Water Works, passed October 31st, 1850, respectfully
presents to the Cochituate Water Board, his Annual Report
for the year 1853.
The total number of Water-Takers now entered for the
year 1854, is 18,170, being an increase since January 1st,
1853, of 1308. Of this number, 259 are Public Buildings,
&-C., in which the water is used, but on which no assessments
were made until the year 1853,
The total number of cases where the water has been shut
off during the past year, is 1770. Of these, 1238 were for
repairs ; 532 were for non-payment of water rates.
The whole number of cases where the water has been let
on during the year, is 2389. Of these, 1 126 were cases
which had been previously shut off for repairs ; 459 were
those which had been shut off for non-payment of water
rates ; and 804 were let on for the first time.
Repairs have been made upon the service-pipes, streets,
sidewalks, &c., in 437 instances.
There have been no abatements made during the year.
The total amount received from December
31st, 1852, to January 2d, 1854, for water
rates, is, #196,352,33
APPENDIX. 29
Of the above, there was received for water
used during the years 1851, and 1852, the
sum of $2,363.88
Leaving the receipts for water used
during the year 1853, the sum of 193,988.44
Total Amount, $196,352.33
In addition to the above, there has been re-
ceived, for letting on water, in cases where it
had been shut off for non-payment of water
rates, -------- 838.00
A detailed statement of the receipts for the
year 1853, is included in this Report.
The total amount received during the year
for the use of Jamaica Pond Water, is - - 2,010.61
This amount is included in the general ac-
count.
The amount of assessments already made,
for the year 1854, is 180,144.31
The estimated amount of income from the
sales of water, during the year 1854, is - - 215,000.00
The expenditures in my department during
the year 1853, have been, - - - - 2,292.17
The items of this expenditure are as fol-
lows, viz : —
Paid Wm. F. Davis, for services as clerk, - - 705.00
Chas. L. Bancroft, for " " " - - 705.00
Benjamin Heath, for services, - - - 152.00
John H. Eastbiirn, for printmg, - - 109.08
Eayrs & Fairbanks, for books and stationery, 106.85
Freeman Lane, for services, - - - 82.00
Francis A. Bacon," " - - - 76.00
G. J. Stevens, «' « . . - 76.00
D. W. Child, " " _ - - 74.00
Amount carried forward, - - 2,085.93
30 APPENDIX.
Amount brought forward, _ _ _ 2,085.93
Paid F. S. Kettelle, for services, - - - 72.00
" H.N.Whittlesey," " . _ - 64.00
" Samuel Huse, " work on meters, - 53.99
" J. A. Richards, " books and postage, - 12.25
" Stephen Maddox," washing towels, - 4.00
Amount, - - - - - $2,292.17
By a vote of the City Council, passed January 13th, 1853,
" The Water Registrar was directed, under the direction and
control of the Cochituate Water Board, to assess the City of
Boston, for the quantity of water used in the various Public
Buildings belonging to said City, according to such tariff as
the said Water Board might determine."
Subsequently, the Water Registrar was directed by the
Water Board, to assess the City for the water used for all
Public Purposes, in accordance with the tariff of the City
Council, passed November 17th, 1850.
In compliance with the above orders, the City was assessed
for the quantity of water used in all the Public Buildings,
and for all Public Purposes, with the exception of that used
for extinguishing fires, flushing sewers, and for the fountains
and hydrants, on the Common and Public Squares. The use
of water for the above named purposes, is undoubtedly of
great value to the City, but in consequence of the irregular
demand for water in these cases, it is impossible to make a
correct estimate of the quantity required.
The total amount of assessments upon the City for the use
of Cochituate Water during the year 1853, is |4,058.32.
These assessments were regularly entered on the books,
the bills made out, and distributed, but were subsequently
withdrawn by order of the Mayor, as no appropriation had
been made to pay them.
A detailed statement of the Public Buildings supplied
with Cochituate Water, with the amount assessed to each, is
annexed to this Report.
APPENDIX.
31
Although it is impossible to make a correct estimate of the
quantity of water required for extinguishing fires, yet it is
not difficult to estimate the amount annually saved to the
City, by the use of Cochituate Water, in the cost of main-
taining its Fire Department.
In order to show this amount, I have prepared the follow-
ing estimate of the relative cost of supporting a Fire De-
partment, with and without the aid of Cochituate Water.
In 1847, the year previous to the introduction of Cochitu-
ate Water, the Boston Fire Department consisted of a Board
of Engineers of 8 members, of eighteen engine companies,
each company having 40 officers and members, of one hook
and ladder company, having 24 officers and members, and one
hose company having 18 officers and members, in all, 770
persons.
Capt. Wm. Barnicoat, the present efficient Chief Engineer
of the Fire Department, informs me that in consequence of
the growth of the City, and the increased size of buildings,
which require protection, there would have been demanded
at the present time, without the aid of Cochituate Water, a
great addition to the above mentioned force. This addition
to have made the Department equal to its present power, or
at least, to have met the emergencies which now arise in case
of fire, must have consisted of six engine companies, each
company having 40 officers and members, of two hook and
ladder companies, having 18 and 12 officers and members
respectively, of one hose company having 18 officers and
members, and at least, one additional Engineer. With this
increase, the department would now consist of 1059 officers
and members.
The Fire Department, at the present time, with the aid of
Cochituate Water, consists of a Board of Engineers, of 9
members, of twelve engine companies, having 36 officers
and members each, of three hook and ladder companies,
having 24, 18, and 12 officers and members respectively,
each, and of five hydrant companies, having 16 officers and
members each, in all, 575 officers and members.
It may be well to state, that it was the custom of the City,
previous to the introduction of Cochituate Water, to build at
82 APPENDIX.
least three reservoirs, annually, for the use of the Fire De-
partment, at an average expense of $1500 per year.
Pay of the Department.
Engineers, $250 each per annum.
BOSTON.
Foreman, $150. ea. p'r an,
As't Foreman, 125, " " "
Clerks, 125, " " "
Stewards, 125, " " "
Members, 100, " " ''
EAST BOSTON.
Foreman, $75, ea. p'r an.
As't Foreman, 60, " " "
Clerks, 60, " " "
Stewards, 60, " " "
Members, 50, " " "
Estimated cost of maintaining the Boston Fire Department,
during the year 1854, with and without the aid of Cochitu-
ate Water.
Without Cochituate Water.
9 Engineers, a $250, per annum, $2,250.00
24 Foremen, al50, " " 3,600.00
5 " a 75, " « 375.00
24 As'tForemea,al25, " " 3,000.00
5 " "a 60, " " 300.00
24 Clerks, a 125, " " 3,000.00
5 " a 60, " " 300.00
24 Stewards, al25, '^ " 3,000.00
5 " a 60, " " 300.00
804 Members «$100 p'r an $80,400.00
130 " a 50 " " 6,500.00
Amount, - - - 86,900.00
From which deduct 10 per
cent, for vacancies, - 8,690.00
Pay of Members, - - 78,210.00
Pay of Officers and Members, 94,335.00
Three Reservoirs, - - - 1,500.00
Repairs and Contingencies, - 20,000.00
Estimated cost without Cochituate Water, $115,835,00
APPENDIX. 33
Amount hrotight forward, ^ 1 15,835.00
With Cochituate Water.
9 Engineers, 0^^250, per annum, $2,250.00
16 Foremen, al50, '' " 2,400.00
4 " a 75, " " 300.00
16 As't Foremen, al25, " " 2,000.00
4 « " a 60, " « 240.00
16 Clerks, al25, " " 2,000.00
4 " a 60, " " 240.00
16 Stewards, al25, " " 2,000.00
4 " a 60, " " 240.00
402 Members, a$ 100, p'r an. $40,200.00
84 " a50, " " 4,200.00
Amount, - - - 44,400.00
From which deduct 10 per
cent, for vacancies, - 4,440.00
Pay of Members, - - - 39,960.00
Pay of Officers and Members, - 51,630.00
Repairs and Contingencies, - 12,500.00
Estimated cost with Cochituate Water, 64,130.00
Balance in favor of Cochituate Water, - $51,705.00
By the foregoing estimate, it will be perceived that the use
of Cochituate Water, for extinguishing fires, has made an
annual saving to the City, in the cost of maintaining its Fire
Department, of $51,705,00. This estimate, however, con-
tains only such of the regular current expenses of the de-
partment, as are usually charged on the City books under the
head of " Fire Department." The salaries of the Chief
Engineer and Clerk of the Board of Engineers, are not in-
cluded in the estimate, as they are charged under the head
of " Salaries." As these however, would probably be the
34 APPENDIX.
same in either case, their omission does not effect the result.
Tlie interest on the cost of the additional land, buildings,
and apparatus, which would have been required for the use
of the department, if the Cochituate Water had not been
introduced, should properly be added to the above amount,
but as it is not known where the buildings would have been
located, it is impossible to make a correct estimate of their
cost. Sufficient, however, is shown in the estimate, to prove
that the sum annually saved to the City in the cost of main-
taining its Fire Department, together with the receipts for
the use of water, and from other sources, will now fully
equal the interest on the total cost of the Water Works.
By a vote of the Cochituate Water Board, passed January
26th, 1853, " The Water Registrar was directed to report to
the Board, a plan of operation by which the places of waste
of water in the City could be ascertained, and the waste pre-
vented."
In compliance with the above order, a plan of operation
was presented to the Board at its next meeting, February
2d. This plan was adopted, and men were employed to
visit the premises of each water-taker, to examine, and
report the number and kind of water fixtures in use. Sub-
sequently, a report was made to the Board, containing a de-
tailed statement of the number,- and kind of water fixtures
contained within the premises of water takers ; also giving
reasons why the consumption of water in the City is larger
than the original estimate of the quantity required to meet
the wants of the citizens, and making some suggestions rel-
ative to the means to be employed to reduce this consump-
tion. The above mentioned report was sent by the Board to
the City Council, and is now in the possession of the Joint
Standing Committee on Water.
A detailed statement of the number, and kind of loater
fixtures contairied within the premises of water-takers, is in-
cluded in this Report.
APPENDIX.
35
Statement, showing the number of Houses, Stores, Steam
Engines, &c., in the City of Boston, supplied with
CocHiTUATE Water, to the first of January, 1S54, with
THE Amount of Water Rates paid for 1853.
1489 Dwelling Houses,
1678
U ii
1848
ii il
1881
li ii
1818
U ii
1509
ii ii
901
ii ii
596
ii ii
345
ii ii
220
ii li
145
ii ii
109
ii ii
67
ii ii
74
il [(
61
U li
51
ii 11
34
li li
38
li 11
19
il il
40
li li
188
ii 11
1
11 11
1
li it
519
11 il
13632
1492
Stores,
4
a
236
a
5.00
6.00
r.oo
8.00
9.00
10.00
11.00
12.00
13.00
14.00
15.00
16.00
17.00
18.00
19.00
20.00
21.00
22.00
23.00
24.00
25.00
30.00
32.00
$7,445.00
10,068.00
12,936.00
15,048.00
16,362.00
15,090.00
9,911.00
7,152.00
4,485.00
3,080.00
2,175.00
1,744.00
1,139.00
1,332.00
1,159.00
1,020.00
714.00
836.00
437.00
960.00
4,700.00
30.00
32.00
2,036.18
5.00
7,460.00
6.00
24.00
8.00
1,888.00
119,891.18
1732 Amounts carried forward, 9,372.00 $119,891.18
36 APPENDIX.
1732 Amounts brought forward, 9,372.00 ^119,891.18
4 Stores, 10.00 40.00
8 " 13.00 104.00
4 " 15.00 60.00
180 « 542.06
1928
10,118.06
398 I
Shops,
5.00
1,990.00
6
li
.6.00
36.00
83
a
8.00
664.00
6
u
10.00
60.00
1
ii
11.00
11.00
7
11
15.00
105.00
1
ii
25.00
25.00
89
11
OfficeSj
5.00
306.99
591
450.00
3,197.99
90
4
((
6.00
24.00
18
(<
8.00
144.00
8
11
10.00
80.00
1
li
13.00
13.00
1
((
15.00
15.00
15
11
48.18
137
774.18
4 Banks,
5.00
20.00
7
8.00
56.00
1
10.00
10.00
1
13.00
13.00
1
15.00
15.00
1
20.00
20.00
3
25.00
75.00
18 Amounts carried forward, 209.00 $133,981.41
APPENDIX.
6(
18
Amounts
brought forward,
209.00 $133,981.41
1
Bank,
30.00
30.00
1
a
40.00
40.00
20
279.00
2
Buildings,
13.00
26.00
1
a
14.58
14.58
3
a
15.00
45.00
1
ii
15.75
15.75
3
a
20.00
60.00
1
11
23.00
23.00
3
a
25.00
75.00
3
li
30.00
90.00
1
a
35.00
35.00
1
u
37.00
37.00
1
u
40.00
40.00
1
a
-
50.00
50.00
1
u
95.63
95.63
22
606.96
18
Churches,
5.00
90.00
2
li
20.00
40.00
8
Halls,
5.00
14.16
10.00
28
144.16
2
1
a
6.00
6.00
1
((
8.00
8.00
1
u
10.00
10.00
4
a
15.00
60.00
1
Private S
chool,
1.67
1.67
2
a
((
5.00
10.00
1
((
u
15.00
15.00
13
Amount carried
forward,
120.67
$135,132.20
38 APPENDIX.
Amount brought forward,
$135,132.20
1 Theatre,
10.00
10.00
1
35.00
35.00
1 Gymnasium,
15.00
15.00
1 Museum,
12.00
12.00
1 Custom House,
150.00
150.00
1 Hospital,
125.00
125.00
1 Institution for Blind,
35.00
35.00
1 Medical College,
30.00
30.00
1 Post Office,
25.00
25.00
1 State House,
20.00
20.00
1 Eye & Ear Infirmary,
20.00
20.00
1 Natural History Room,
, 10.00
10.00
1 Asylum,
12.00
12.00
1
15.00
15.00
1 "
20.00
20.00
1 "
25.00
25.00
1 «
30.00
30.00
1 "
200.00
200.00
18
789.00
55 Market Stalls,
5.00
275.00
5 "^ "
10.00
50.00
1 Market,
15.00
15.00
1 "
50.00
50.00
1 "
65.00
65.00
1 "
75.00
75.00
1 "
107.00
107.00
65
637.00
60 Cellars,
5.00
300.00
8 "
8.00
64.00
14 «
vard,
29.74
82
393.74
Amount carried fori
|136
,951.94
3 Hotels,
1 "
1 "
3 "
4
2 «
3 «
1 «
1 "
3 "
3 "
1 «
5 '-
2 «
2 «
2 "
2 "
APPENDIX.
dy
forward,
$136,951.94
12.00
36.00
13.00
13.00
14.62
14.62
15.00
45.00
18.00
72.00
20.00
40.00
21.00
63.00
21.62
21.62
22.50
22.50
24.00
48.00
25.00
75.00
28.50
28.50
30.00
150.00
31.50
63.00
33.00
66.00
37.50
75.00
45.00
■ 90.00
46.50
46.50
52.50
52.50
57.00
57.00
60.00
240.00
64.50
64.50
67.50
67.50
73.50
73.50
78.00
78.00
^ 85.50
85.50
90.00
90.00
97.50
97.50
99.75
99.75
107.50
107.50
118.50
118.50
123.00
123.00
124.50
124.50
136.25
136.25
138.00
138.00
59 Amounts carried forward^ 2,723.24 |136,951. 94
40
APPENDIX.
59 Amounts
brought forward,
2,723.24 $
136,951.94
I Hotel,
139.50
139.50
1 "
151.50
151.50
1 "
165.00
165.00
1 "
182.50
182.50
1 "
187.50
187.50
1 "
320.50
320.50
1 "
360.00
360.00
1 "
360.50
360.50
67
4,590.24
7 Restaurants, 5.00
35.00
49
8.00
392.00
8 "
10.00
80.00
6 "
12.00
72.00
9
15.00
135.00
1
20.00
20.00
1 "
24.00
24.00
1 «
40.00
40.00
10 "
39.59
92
837.59
4 Saloons,
5.00
20.00
68
8.00
544.00
18 "
10.00
180.00
1 "
11.00
11.00
1 "
13.00
13.00
1 "
14.00
14.00
6 "
15.00
90.00
1 "
17.00
17.00
1 "
18.00
18.00
1 "
20.00
20.00
1 "
30.00
30.00
21
74.74
L24
1,031.74
Amount carried forward,
:143,411.51
APPENDIX.
41
Amount hrought forward,
1 Club House, 10.00
1 " " 25.00
1 " " 50.00
103 Stables,
1
2
1
1
45
5
1
1
48
1
1
1
9
28
1
23
11
1
1
16
1
1
1
20*
1
1
7
2
$143,411.51
10.00
25.00
50.00
3.00
309.00
3.12
3.12
3.33
-6.66
3.42
3.42
3.67
3.67
3.75
168.75
4.00
20.00
4.50
4.50
4.69
4.69
5.00
240.00
5.42
5.42
5.62
5.62
5.75
5.75
6.00
54.00
6.25
175.00
6.67
6.67
7.50
172.50
8.00
88.00
8.33
8.33
8.36
8.36
8.75
140.00
9.00
9.00
9.33
9.33
9.50
9.50
10.00
200.00
10.50
10.50
11.00
11.00
11.25
78.75
12.00
24.00
85.00
335 Amounts carried forward^
1,785.54 $143,496.51
42
35 Amounts brought forward, 1,785.54 143,496.51
12
Stables
3
u
3
ii
9
u
1
a
6
u
1
it
1
a
I
li
1
a
9
li
1
a
4
a
4
li
1
li
1
11
5
u
1
ti
5
u
3
it
2
11
4
It
1
tl
6
11
li
tl
It
tt
u
((
((
it
2
((
1
a
7
((
APPENDIX.
'orward,
1,785.54
12.50
150.00
13.75
41.25
14.00
42.00
15.00
135.00
16.25
16.25
17.50
105.00
18.00
18.00
18.67
18.67
18.75
18.75
19.33
19.33
20.00
180.00
22.50
22.50
24.00
96.00
25.00
100.00
26.00
26.00
27.50
27.50
28.00
140.00
29.58
29.58
30.00
150.00
32.00
90.00
32.50
65.00
36.00
144.00
37.50
37.50
40.00
240.00
41.17
41.17
45.00
45.00
46.67
46.67
47.50
47.50
48.00
48.00
50.00
150.00
55.00
55.00
56.00
56.00
60.00
120 00
64.12
64.12
70.00
490.00
X40 Amounts carried forward, 4,867.33 $143,496.51
APPENDIX.
•
4d
Amounts brought
forward,
4,867.33 $
143,496.51
2 Stables,
72.00
144.00
1
76.00
76.00
2 "
80.00
160.00
1 "
86.00
86.00
1 "
90.00
90.00
4 "
100.00
400.00
1 "
118.00
118.00
1 "
120.00
120.00
1 "
130.00
130.00
1 "
140.00
140.00
1 "
4
144.00
144.00
40.05
6,515.38
1 Bathing House,
10.00
10.00
2
15.00
30.00
1 " "
30.00
30.00
1
40.00
40.00
2 « "
50.00
100.00
1
55.00
55.00
1 " «
135.00
135.00
9
400.00
3 Shops and Engines
10.00
30.00
]^ u u
10.20
10.20
1 U ((
11.40
11.40
\ 11 u
11.75
11.75
-j^ ii a
11.87
11.87
]^ <( (C
12.50
12.50
]^ It ((
12.75
12.75
J (( u
13.75
13.75
1 (( ((
14.67
14.67
]^ (( a
14.96
14.98
12 Amounts candied forward,
143.85 $150,411.89
44
t
APPENDIX.
2 Amounts
hrovght forward.,
143.85 1150,411.89
1 Shop and Engine,
14.98
14.98
2
u
15.00
30.00
1 "
((
17.50
17.50
1 "
u
18.86
18.86
1 "
<(
19.34
19.34
2 «
(t
20.00
40.00
1 "
<c
21.36
21.36
1 "
((
22.80
22.80
2 «
((
24.00
48.00
2 «
11
25.00
50.00
1 "
((
26.20
26.20
2 *'
({
' 27.00
54.00
1 "
((
28.50
28.50
1 "
((
28.66
28.66
1 "
((
29.78
29.78
1 "
u
31.28
31.28
1 "
(C
34.13
34.13
1 "
«
36.50
36.50
1 "
((
40.38
40.38
1 "
((
42.00
42.00
1 "
tl
43.92 •
43.92
1 "
<(
44.20
44.20
1 "
u
44.50
44.50
1 "
((
46.62
46.62
1 *'
({
46.68
46.68
1 "
(i
46.90
46.90
2 "
((
48.00
96.00
1 "
(C
48.36
48.36
1 "
((
49.14
49.14
2 "
((
49.80
99.60
1 "
((
51.90
51.90
1 "
((
55.67
55.67
1 "
((
57.33
57.33
1 "
<{
58.50
58.50
1 "
((
60.00
60.00
54 Amounts carried forward, 1,627.44 |150,411.89
APPENDIX,
4£>
54
Amou7i
ts brought forward^
1,627.44 1150,411.89
Shop and Engine,
61.08
61.08
u
a
64.68
64.68
a
li
68.22
68.22
11
li
70.00
70.00
a
a
71.10
71.10
11
a
78.00
78.00
it
a
80.00
80.00
a
ii
87.60
87.60
((
a
89.10
_89.10
a
li
91.25
91.25
((
11
94.00
94.00
(<
li
99.60
99.60
cc
ii
100.74
100.74
li
11
102.00
102.00
li
ii
104.50
104.50
li
ii
107.40
107.40
i(
a
109.00
109.00
<(
li
114.00
114.00
((
a
120.00
240.00
(C
li
129.48
129.48
((
a
135.76
13.5.76
((
li
136.50
136.50
a
ii
140.70
140.70
((
li
150.60
150.60
<(
li
153.30
153.30
((
11
174.66
174.66
((
ii
183.60
183.60
ii
ii
187.23
187.23
11
11
195.75
195.75
11
li
303.60
303.60
10
a
ii
62.63
95
5,413.52
1
Factory
and Engine,
17.50
17.50
1
((
ii
22.26
22.26
2 Amounts carried forward, 39.76 $155,825.41
46
)
APPENDIX.
2 Amoun
ts brought forward,
39.76
1155,825.41
1 Factory
and Engine, 22.40
22.40
1 "
u
32.00
32.00
1 "
(C
40.50
40.50
1 "
((
47.50
47.50
1 "
((
■ . 54.24
54.24
1 "
u
69.84
69.84
1 "
(<
72.00
72.00
1 "
((
78.00
78.00
1 "
((
86.40
86.40
1 "
a
89.02
89.02
1 "
((
111.60
111.60
1 •''
((
104.22
104.22
1 "
u
113.10
113.10
1 "
u
125.00
125.00
1 "
i(
132.96
132.96
1 "
((
133.84
133.84
1 "
((
160.00
160.00
1 *'
{£
288.00
288.00
1 "
((
300.00
300.00
1 "
((
308.40
308.40
1 "
<<
339.72
339.72
1 "
((
557.70
557.70
1 "
((
1,587.60
1,587.60
5
4,893.80
1 Foundry
and Engine, 11.00
11.00
1 "
48.00
48.00
1 "
65.28
65.28
1
80.40
80.40
1
121.40
121.40
1
« 461.74
•^^ carried forward,
461.74
6
<
787.82
Amoiii
^161,507.03
APPENDIX.
47
Amount brought forward,
1 Printing Office and
Engine, 12.19
16.00
18.28
18.74
20.00
22.68
25.00
29.28
35.74
40.80
42.62
73.76
83.24
103.86
$161,507.03
12.19
16.00
18.28
18.74
20.00
22.68
25.00
^9.28
35.74
40.80
42.62
73.76
83.24
103.86
14
542.19
1 Factory,
2
2
2
5.00
8.00
10.00
12.00
15.00
22.50
30.00
30.14
45.00
50.00
71.04
110.00
142.67
343.76
5.00
8.00
20.00
24.00
165.00
22.50
60.00
30.14
45.00
50.00
71.04
110.00
142.67
343.76
27
1,097.11
Amount carried forward,
$163,146.33
48
1 Sugar Refinery,
1 a u
1 Rolling Mill,
1 " "
1 Forge,
23 Printing Offices,
2 "
1 "
35
1 Distillery,
1 '•
1
1 "
] "
1 "
1 "
1 "
1 "
1 Brewery,
1 "
1 «
12
APPENDIX.
brward,
$163,146.33
1,966.56
1,966 56
1,736.16
1,736.16
3,702.72
1,921.50
1,921.50
625.44
625.44
362.85
362.85
2,909.79
6.00
132.00
8.00
16.00
*
10.00
80.00
12.00
24.00
24.00
24.00
276.00
60.00
60.00
80.00
80.00
90.00
90.00
126.67
126.67
169.74
169.74
177.16
177.16
480.84
480.84
546.72
546.72
720.00
720.00
15.00
15.00
'.
25.00
25.00
169.00
169.00
2,660.13
5.00
5.00
8.00
8.00
1 Bleachery,
1 "
2 Amounts carried forward, 13.00 $172,694.97
APPENDIX.
49
2 Amount brought forward, 13.00 1172,694.97
2 Bleacheries, 10.00 20.00
1 Laundry, 10.00 10.00
1 " 60.00 60.00
1 Pottery, 30.00 30.00
1 Dye House, 60.00 60.00
193.00
8
1 Bakery,
2.08
2.08
42 "
5.00»
210.00
2 "
8.00
16.00
3 «
10.00
30.00
1 «
15.00
15.00
49
-
2 Bacon Works,
10.00
20.00
]^ (( ((
15.00
15.00
3
3 Ship Yards,
15.00
45.00
2 " "
20.00
40.00
1 Sectional Dock,
14.00
14.00
6
928 Hose,
3.00
2,784.00
3 «
10.00
30.00
I "
15.00
15.00
932
5 Fountains,
3.00
15.00
3 "
5.00
15.00
8 «
6.00
48.00
273.08
35.00
99.00
2,829.00
16 Amounts carried forward^ 78.00 $176,124.05
(50 APPENDIX.
16 Amoimts brought forward, 78.00 |176,124.05
2 Fountains, 8.00 16.00
2 « 9.00 • 18.00
1 " 12.00 12.00
2 « 13.00 26.00
3 " 15.00 45.00
2 " 25.00 50.00
28 245.00
Railroad Company, 2,245.88 2,245.88
" 1,188.14 1,188.14
'' " 918.57 918.57
" " 783.20 783.20
" « 697,56 697.56
" '• 583.85 583.85
" " 95.00 95.00
Freight House, 15.00 15.00
8 6,527.20
1 East Boston Ferry Co., 570.84 570.84
1 Chelsea " " 435.69 435.69
2 1,006.53
1 Cunard Steamship Co., 600.00 600.00
1 Steamboat, 404.95 404.95
1 " • 285.18 285.18
1 " 190.48 190.48
1 " 184.20 184.20
2 " 185.63 371.26
2 " 168.75 337.50
1 " 176.85 176.85
1 « 12.333 123.33
1 " 123.20 123.20
12 Amounts carried forward, 2,796.95 |183,902.78
APPENDIX.
Hi
12
1
1
1
1
16
Amounis brought forward,
Steamboat, 100.38
" 94.32
" 59.16
" 5.00
Contractors for supplying
shipping,
3,9_00.06
Street Waterers,
655.88
Building Purposes,
609.93
Proprietors of Boston Traveller,
535.51
Sewall Day & Co.,
500.00
Mill Dam Co.,
300.00
Boston Gas Light Co.,
300.00
East Boston Gas Co.,
109.37
South Boston " "
105.10
Mechanics Fair,
14.00
2,796.95 $183,902.78
100.38
94.32
59.16
5.00
3,055.81
7,029.85
Amount of Water Rates,
$193,988.44
52 APPENDIX.
Statement, showing the number of City Buildings, and
OTHER Public Places, supplied with Cochituate Water,
to the riRST of January, 1854, with the amount of
Water Rates assessed to each, for 1853.
1 Latin School,
15.00
15.00
1 English High School,
15.00
15.00
1 Normal School,
15.00
15.00
19 Grammar Schools,
15.00
285.00
3 Primary Schools,
10.00
30.00
179 "
5.Q0
895.00
3 « « (6 months,)
2.50
7.50
4 « " (3
" )
1.25
5.00
12 Engine Houses,
15.00
180.00
5 Hose Carriage Houses,
15.00
75.00
3 Hook and Ladder Houses,
15.00
45.00
2 Watch Houses,
15.00
30.00
5 " ''
10.00
50.00
1 City Stable, (Harrison Avenue,)
70.00
70.00
1 « " (Commercial St.,)
30.00
30.00
3 Fire Alarm Motors, (6 months,)
2.50
7.50
Court House,
-
-
95.00
City Hall, - -
-
-
50.00
Faneuil Hall,
-
-
40.00
City Building, -
-
-
37.50
Probate Office, -
-
-
10.00
Office at City Scales, -
-
-
8.00
Dead House,
_
-
8.00
Public Library, -
-
-
5.00
House of Correction, -
-
-
500.00
House of Industry, -
-
-
225.00
Lunatic Hospital,
-
-
225.00
Jail for Suffolk County,
-
-
225.00
House of Reformation,
-
-
50.00
Amount carried forward,
APPENDIX. 53
Amouvt brought forward, f 3, 233. 50
Fanenil Hall Market, (for Urinals, &c.,) - 70.00
Street Sprinkling, 400.00
Oifal Station, - - - - - - 150.00
Watering Tremont Road, - - - . 129.82
Common Sewers, (for Making Mortar, &c.,) 75.00
Amount, -,---- $4,058.32
Statement, showing the number and kfnd of water fix-
tures, CONTAINED WITHIN THE PREMISES OF WaTER TaKERS,
IN THE City of Boston, to the first of March, 1853.
3968 Taps. These have no connection with any drain or
sewer.
19287 Sinks.
3149 Wash Hand Basins.
1838 Bathing Tubs. Most of these have shower baths at-
tached.
1622 Pan Water Closets.
698 Hopper " "
159 Self-acting" "
218 Urinals.
476 Wash Tubs. These are permanently attached to the
biiildijig.
14 Shower Baths. These are in houses where there is
no tub.
9 Hydraulic Rams.
312 Private Hydrants.
1123 Places having hot water fixtures.
All of the above, with the exception of the 3968 Taps, are
cotmected by drains, with the common sewers.
The foregoing Report is respectfully submitted.
J. AVERY RICHARDS,
Water Registrar.
54 APPENDIX.
PROFESSOR HORSFORD'S COMMUNICATION.
Thomas Wetmore, Esq,.,
President of the Cochituate Water Board.
SiRj —
The incrustation of the water pipes has con-
tinued to occupy my attention during the past year.
It is a satisfaction to be able to state, after a comparison of
the casts of the tubercles taken three years since, with the
tubercles observed but a few weeks ago, that the growth is
less rapid than at first.
The persuasion that galvanic action is prominent among
the agencies in the production of tubercles, has been strength-
ened by the observations of the last year.
In November last the City Engineer enabled me to pass
through the pipes at Newton, Lower Falls — a length of
about two thousand feet in all. A better opportunity than I
have before enjoyed, was thus afforded of seeing and com-
paring extensive surfaces of pipe. Of the interesting things
observed in the excursion, and which may throw light on
the occult agencies producing the accretions, several may be
worthy of mention.
In a few instances the sections of pipe were covered
throughout with tubercles. In the majority, they were
nearly covered. In a very few instances, there were pipes
covered to the extent of from about one-eighth to one-fourth.
In one section of pipe, for the most part covered with ac-
cretions, there were two strips of vacant space, about an inch
in width, extending parallel to the axis, from end to end.
In several there were similar strips, of less length.
In several others there were rings of tubercles, us if, the
APPENDIX. 55
pipes being cast upright, there had been a difference in the
casting material of the upper and lower parts, or in the fash-
ioning of the core.
Some sections had patches of large tubercles, and then
patches of exceedingly small ones.
The joints of pipes, where closely fitting, were entirely
filled with tubercles, which projected above the surrounding
level of accretions, and was, beside, uniformly soft, and in
some places porous and cavernous. In some instances there
had been shrinking of the incrustations over the lead joints,
displaying a continuous crack.
This observed superior development of the tubercles at the
junction of lead and iron, is in keeping with the facts noticed
last year at Dover Street, and earlier elsewhere, that the
contact of a metal of inferior susceptibility to oxidation, pro-
motes the growth of the accretions.
Two sections of pipe in the East Boston Reservoir have
so few and such small accretions, that, compared with other
sections, of the same diameter, as at Chelsea Bridge, they
may be considered as quite free. One of them is in contact
with another pipe which is severely corroded. The connec-
tion of the other is not visible.
These sections and all the others of the 20-inch pipe em-
ployed to conduct the water to the East Boston Reservoir,
were, I understand, cast at Alger's South Boston Foundry.
On inquiry at the foundry, I found there was a peculiarity in
the construction of the cores, around which these sections
were cast.
Ordinarily the core is a hollow, cast-iron cylinder, per-
forated with numerous holes, and wound with hay-rope, over
which there is a coat of loam. With the exception of the
sections in question, all the 20-inch pipe cast at Alger's
foundry were made upon such a core. The particular sec-
tions were cast around what is called a brick core ; that is,
a core having within the loam, instead of a hay-rope and hol-
low cylinder, a brick base for the coating of loam.
The significance of this contrast in modes of casting, and
56 APPENDIX.
corresponding difference in the susceptibility to oxidation and
accretion, would be more obvious, were it not that of the 36-
inch pipes made at the West Point Foundry, all of them cast
on hay cores, some are free, or nearly so, from accretions.
Ordinary cast-iron contains, beside carbon, silicon, sul-
phur, phosphorus, sometimes magnesium, aluminum, arse-
nic, zinc, titanium, and manganese ; and more seldom other
substances. The chief foreign ingredient is carbon, which
in the white cast iron is all chemically combined with the
iron. In the grey irou a part of it is in the form of graphite.
The maximum of carbon is less than 6 per cent. The range
in white iron is from 3 1-2 to 5 3-4 per cent. ; that in the
grey iron, from 3 1-5 to 4 3-5 per cent. Various circum-
stances conspire to produce the white iron, such as sudden
cooling, by moist sand or iron moulds, large proportions of
sulphur, phosphorus, or manganese, which tend to prevent
the separation of graphite, — reduced quantity of carbon, and
too low a temperature. (Scheerer.)
Now the separation of graphite will give an iron wanting
in homogeneity. Such an iron will give rise to galvanic
action, and such action is known to favor the growth of
tubercles.
There seem to be no means of ascertaining, with any de-
gree of precision, where the iron was derived from, of which
the separate sections are composed. At the time they were
produced the market furnished pig iron from Pennsylvania,
Salisbury, Stockbridge, Scotland, England, and various other
sources. There remained the analytical examination of the
pipes only. It was thought there might be some indication
in the amount of carbon and other foreign substances, each as
compared with the other or the whole, which might shed the
desired light. Analyses were accordingly made of specimens
of incrusted iron derived from various sources. For speci-
mens, some years employed in the distribution of Croton
water, and for others, similarly employed in Baltimore, both
of which bore tubercles, the latter more than the former, but
both much inferior to the average of Cochituate iron pipes,
I am indebted to the President of the Water Board, Beside
APPENDIX. $7
these, specimens were taken of the pipe not acted on in the
East Boston Reservoir, and also of the section in immediate
connection, acted on, and also of pipe in Boston displaying
great severity of action.
ANALYSIS OF IRON PIPES.
SPECIFIC GRAVITY.
The specific gravity was determined by weighing the iron
accurately in the air, and then plunging it in water, at 9° C,
and weighing again. The loss it sustained in the water
compared with the absolute weight of the substance gave
the specific gravity.
BOSTON PIPE.
Weight of iron = 43.3166 grammes.
Loss in water = 6.1878 "
Specific gravity = 7.000
NEW YORK PIPE.
Weight of iron = 26.5762 gr.
Loss in water = 3.9405 "
Specific gravity = 6.728
♦
BALTIMORE PIPE.
Weight of iron =21.1661 gr.
Loss of water = 3.0560 "
Specific gravity = 6.926
EAST BOSTON, Hot acted on.
Weight of iron = 6.0885 gr.
Loss in water = 0.9000 "
Specific gravity = 6.7660
EAST BOSTON, acted on.
Weight of iron = 2.9439 gr.
Loss in water = 0.4240 '•
Specific gravity = 6.943.
The iron was dissolved in hydrochloric acid, with addition
of a little nitric acid. The insoluble residue was washed
5S
APPENDIX.
out, dried, weighed, a part of it examined with a microscope,
and another part burned with chromate of lead to determine
the carbon.
Boston Pipe, having large incrustations, and coarse grain-
ed. 5.2925 gr., substance gave 7.183 gr. oxide of iron = 95.
per cent, of metallic iron. It left a residue of 0.3990 gr. =
7.54 per cent. Of this residue 0.3562 gr. gave by combus-
tion 0.585 gr. carbonic acid = 0.1595 gr. =3.39 per cent,
of carbon in the whole.
New York Pipe, having small incrustations. 6.3367 sub-
stance gave 8.493 gr. oxide of iron = 93.82 per cent, metallic
iron. It left a residue of 0.5305 gr. = 8.37 per cent. Of
this residue 0.4917 gr. gave, by combustion with chromate of
lead, 0.697 gr. carbonic acid, corresponding to 0.1901 gr. or
3.23 per cent, of carbon in the whole.
Baltimore Pipe, having larger incrustations than New
York, but less than Boston. 7.8945 gr. substance gave 10.479
gr. oxide of iron = 92.92 per cent, of metallic iron. It left
a residue of 0.9145 gr. = 11.58 per cent. Of this residue
0.483^ gr. gave by combustion 0.461 gr. carbonic acid =
0. 1257 gr. or 3.02 per cent, carbon in the whole.
East Boston Pipe, No. I, tiot acted on, or having very
small incrustations. 5.3262 gr. substance gave 7.222 gr.
oxide of iron = 94.91 per cent, of metallic iron. It left
0.4000 gr. residue = 7.51 per cent. Of this residue 0.3635
gr. gave by combustion 0.5945 gr. carbonic acid = 0.1623
gr. = 3.34 per cent, of carbon in the whole.
East Boston Pipe, No. II, acted on, only less than the
Boston sample above. 5.321 gr. substance gave 7.218 gr.
oxide of iron = 94.96 per cent, of metallic iron. It left a
residue of 0.3975 gr. = T.48 per cent. Of this residue 0.3668
gr. gave by combustion 0.584 gr. carbonic acid = 0.1593 gr.
or 3.24 per cent, of carbon in the whole.
APPENDIX. 69
I. Placing the results in one hundred parts, we have :
Metallic Iron. Inorganic Residue. Carbon,
Boston pipe,
-
- 95.00
4.15
3.39
New York pipe, -
-
- 93.82
5.14
3.23
Baltimore pipe, -
-
- 92.92
8.56
3.02
East Boston pipe. No.
I,
- 94.91
4.17
3.34
East Boston pipe. No.
n,
- 94.96
4.24
3,.24
The excess over one hundred parts is due to the oxidation
of the silicon, aluminum, and other ingredients, in the iron,
not including the carbon.
The percentage of carbon in all is below the quantity re-
quired for a homogeneous carburet, but the difference does
not seem to obey any law connected with the prevalence of
accretions.
II. On microscopic examination of the residues, the pro-
portion of graphite on the one hand, and of silica and other
insoluble matters on the other, was estimated by the eye
to be about as follows : —
East Boston, No. II,
Boston, - - - - .
East Boston, No. I, - -
Baltimore, _ _ - .
New York, . _ - .
III. On microscopic examination of the different samples
before dissolving, the grain and lustre appeared as follows : —
East Boston, No. II, Small grain, dull lead glance.
Boston, - - Large grain, lamellar texture, strong, re-
sinous lustre, lead glance.
East Boston, No. I, Small grain, dull lead glance.
Baltimore, - - Small grain, lead glance, brighter than
the preceding.
New York, - - Small grain, greyish, lustre of plumbago.
IV. After keeping the samples of iron under water for
thirty-six hours, they were exposed, still moist, to the air.
Graphite.
Silica, etc.
3-4
1-4
1-2
1-2
1-3
2-3
1-4
3-4
1-4
3-4
m
APPENDIX.
and the rapidity of oxidation estimated from the change in
color, in given times. This estimate gave the following
relations : — •
Boston, - - Most rapidily.
New York, - - Next "
East Boston, No. II, " "
* Baltimore, - - " "
East Boston, No. I, " "
On comparing the scale of accretion, or rapidity of forma-
tion of tubercles, with any of the foregoing tables, there will
be found no principle of correspondence.
V. The case is different, however, with the scale of spe-
cific gravities, which is as follows : —
Boston pipe, - - .
East Boston, No. I, -
Baltimore, _ _ _
East Boston, No. II, -
New York, - _ -
This coincidence is sufficiently striking to afford ground
for a new suite of observations in the direction which it indi-
cates, and which I shall hope to be able to carry forward in
the course of the coming year.
What can be done to arrest the Accretions ?
In the past year, I have examined sheet iron pipes coated
exteriorly and interiorly with hydraulic cement, which had
been seven years in use for distributing water. It was in all
respects entirely free from corrosion. I have been informed
that at Saratoga such pipes have been in use fourteen years.
It is obvious that the protection must be perfect, or such
slender pipe would have been speedily consumed. It is not
so obvious, however, that adhesion to cast-iron pipes might
be as easily secured. In September last, a small space of
iron pipe in use was freed of tubercles and coated with hydrau-
lic cement. At the end of November there was no indication
cific Gravity.
Scale of Accretion.
7.000 "
5.
6.943
4.
6.926
3.
6.766
2.
6.728
1.
APPKNDIX. 61
that the protection had been imperfect. Though this result
may not be entitled to much weight by itself, taken in con-
nection with the experiments with sheet iron pipe coated
elsewhere with cement, it would at least justify a repetition
of the experiment upon a more extended scale.
The fears entertained, by Mallet, in regard to the use of
hydraulic cement, whose observations are cited in the last
year's report of the President, could not have been based
upon experiment. We have abundant evidence that the
current in Cochituate pipes is utterly inadequate to the re-
moval of compact hydraulic cement. It does not even re-
move the friable and much less firm tubercles. As to the
durability of the protection, Mallet had probably before him
results of a mere wash of the cement. The point of solici-
tude would seem to be, the successful attachment of the
cement to the rough surface. Whether this will be deter-
mined favorably will doubtless be shown in the course of the
coming year.
Arrangements have been made to prepare, in the coming
year, cast iron, for experiment in Cochituate water, under
such a variety of well defined conditions, that I cannot doubt,
the true cause of accretions will be developed, and the mode
of preventing their occurrence ultimately ascertained.
Respectfully submitted.
E. N. HORSFORD.
Cambridge, Feb. 7, 1854.
62
APPENDIX.
Note referred to on page 19 q/ Appendix.
In order to ascertain the effect of the accretions in the 30-inch
pipes across the Charles River Valley, a weir, 4.38 feet long and 3
feet high, was placed in the aqueduct, 50 feet below the East or
Effluent Pipe-Chamber. The channel above the weir, for 12 feet,
was 4.38 feet wide, thus avoiding contraction.
The length of the pipe experimented upon (the most southerly
of the two) was 979 feet. In order to avoid errors in the meas-
urement of the head, arising from the effect of eddies in the West or
Influent Pipe- Chamber, gauges were connected with the pipe outside
of the Chambers. These connections were made at similar bends
in each end of the pipes, and it was consequently supposed that what-
ever errors, due to the effect of a rapid current in the main pipe,
there might be in the heights, as shown by the gauge at one end,
would be counterbalanced by equal errors at the other end ; but, at
the time, there apj^eared to be no way of proving this.
By means of a 12-inch branch from the lowest part of the main
pipe not experimented upon, the height of water in the "West Pipe-
Chamber was regulated so as to remain stationary at different levels.
The following observations were made before the pipe was cleaned
out :
Head as shown by the
height of water in the Pipe
Chambers.
Head as shown by the
gauges at each end" of the
Pipes.
Height of water on the
Weir.
0.225
0.700
2.780
0.225 ft.
0.643 "
2.340 "
0.440 ft.
0.620 «
0.965 «
The following were made after the pipe was cleaned out :
0.155
0.575
1.625
0.155
0.525
1.450
0.455
0.695
1.000
The unexpectedly great difference, at the higher velocities, be-
tween the heads as shown by the heights of water in the Pipe-Cham-
bers, and by the gauges at the ends of the pipes, prove that eddies
formed in the West Pipe-Chamber extend their influence for some
distance into the pipes.
APPENDIX. 63
Although we were thus disappointed in obtaining the exact heads
requii-ed to overcome friction in the pipe, under different velocities,
before and after it was cleaned out, the heads actually observed justify
aU that is said in the report relative to the effect of accretions in di-
minishing the amount of discharge.
The loss in the discharge through the 30-inch pipe between the
Brookline and Beacon Hill Reservoirs was determined by measuring
the actual discharge, and comparing it with what Prony's exact for-
mula would give for a clean pipe of the same diameter and length,
with the same head. Unfortunately, no record can be found of the
actual discharge through this pipe when it was first laid.
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