Great Waste of Water Felt in Evanston

Evanston householders who have noticed a small and insufficient stream of water running from the faucets during the last few weeks have been wondering what causes te low water pressure. The answer is simple. The excessive use of water used in sprinkling lawns and gardens during the recent hot and dry spell drained so heavily upon the water supply that a double amount of pumping was necessary at the pumping station to fill the mains.
There is one fear displedded by Fire Marshall Harrison that the low water pressure would in any way affect the supply of water in case of a bad fire. Many have contended that with the supply depleted to such an extent that only a tiny stream runs from the kitchen faucet, in case of abig fire, the firemen would be helpless

Firemen not worrying
"Give us a full main of water and we don't care if the pressure is way down," said Fire Marshall Harrison.
"We will get the water to the blaze. On every alarm two engines are dispatched.d The large auto combination truck engine is powerful enough to pump a good stream from a pond, and so long as the mains wll supply the water to reach these pumps, there need be no fear that this machine won't force it to the blaze."
Inquiry has been made at the city waterworks to determine the cause of the low pressure at different times during the day. "Lawn and garden sprinkling is the cause," said Engineer Wadsworth. "We are forced to pump about double the ordinary amount used recently because of the consumption of water for watering lawns."
It is hinted by many that the wilful waste of water used for sprinkling purposes in many instances should be stopped.
Many negligent property owners or their gardeners wllow the automatic sprinklers to be placed upone side walks and to run for hours thus wasting a large amount of water and also drenching pedestrians who pass the place.

Filtration Plant Progresses
Work is going on steadily at the new filtration plant. About two-thirds of the excavation for the pure water well has been completed and workmen are now placing concreete. It is thought that most of the concrete work will be in place at the present rate the work is being conducted by the time cold weather sets in.
At times the ever objectionable fishy smell and taste is detected in the lake water by users of city water. Engineer Wadsworth asserts that the story given out by the Chicago authorities that small fish get in the intake pipes and die, causing the odore, is not plausible and dthat no such condition prevails in Evanston.
Many complaints are also being made just now by users of the city water to the city health department concering the turbidity of the water. Explanation is gien by Dr. W. Lee Lewis, who is in charge of testing the water, that this condition is general at this time of year and is not local, as many users think, blaming the plumbing and dirty hot water heaters in their homes. It is cited by Dr. Lewis that the doubled consumption of the water during hot weathter causes dirty and murky conditions. When twice as much water is pumped through the mains, the volume and velocity pick up more or less dirt which has accumulated in the pipes and distributes it throughout the system.
While the cloudy water, filled with small particles of organic mater, is not the most appetizing, it is asserted by Dr. Lewis that it is perfectly fit for drinking and cooking purposes.
"We guard agains the possibility of bacterian being in the organic matter," said Dr. Lewis, "by adding more of the hypo treatment to the water supply, and I think that the water now, in its present turbid condition, is just as pure as when it is absolutely clear."
Several Evanstonians were sure that the plumbing hin their homes was at fault and had the plumbers busy cleaning out the heaters and other apparatus. After all this work, the water was not cleared in the least and advice was asked of the health authorities.