WATER WORKS AND THE FIRE PROTECTION OF SMALL MUNICIPALITIES [with DISCUSSION]

Engineers in designing new water supply systems and in laying out improvements and extensions for existing systems, and superintendents in planning and supervising improvements in their own water works, are confronted with many problems. The fundamental problem is to furnish the best possible service for the least possible cost. This service should meet the requirements of both the domestic consumption and adequate fire protection. In the small municipalities the requirements for fire protection often are not appreciated and consequently are greatly underestimated or sometimes almost entirely ignored. The average small city fortunately has comparatively few fires per year and the aggregate of high values in the mercantile district is proportionally less than in the larger business centers. These two features tend to give the citizens a false sense of security and often of indifference to the need of reliable fire protection. The domestic use of water is an almost involuntary part of the every day program in the home and place of business, and any slight irregularity or brief interruption of the usual pressure or quantity is given immediate attention and proper steps are taken to prevent a recurrence. The principal function of the water system, as casually defined by the ordinary citizen, would then seem to be the supplying of pure water in quantities sufficient for the domestic consumption. The question of providing fire protection would consequently appear to be an important, although secondary, consideration. It would follow naturally that the design and enlargement of water works should be made in such a way as to fulfill most economically and satisfactorily the requirements of this purpose for which it is apparently maintained. Engineers and superintendents, of course, comply with the wishes of the citizens and make the necessary provisions and extensions for