The Economy of Meters

Abstract

The sale of water is a vital question to every municipality, for the reason that if not properly and fairly sold it becomes a liability to the vendor, be it a private or municipally owned plant. On the other hand, it may become one of the city's greatest assets, if properly sold.The sale of water under the flat rate system is unfair to both the producer and consumer. One consumer is conscientious and uses water judiciously, taking care not to let it run unnecessarily, and attending to leaks which, though small, amount in the aggregate to much. The other type of consumer wastes water by letting it run night and day, sometimes to avoid freezing, at other times for refrigerating purposes; who sprinkles his ~awn and garden without a nozzle on the hose; and who is careless in every respect, knowing that no matter what amount he uses his bill will not be any larger than that of his economical neighbor, and knowing, too, that the city has absolutely no check upon the amount he uses.The waste of water is generally practiced during hot weather and dry spells, when it is essential to husband the supply without crippling the consumer. This waste has a serious effect upon the supply, often necessitating the installation of more wells, machinery and equipment at great expense, which results in a high cost of maintenance and no larger revenue. On the other hand, in a system which is metered, these conditions are changed. To change the system, however, proper ordinances must be passed. The cost of installation is an item of considerable expense, but the expenditure is a good investment, as will be shown by comparison later.Service and not revenue should be uppermost in the minds of the management of a municipal plant. The meter system ought to be and generally is satisfactory to a consumer, and when satisfaction t.o both consumer and producer is established, the results can but spell success.