The Year Seattle's Water Department Turned Off the Sprinklers
Superintendent Andrew Jackson's 1894 report found savings in fuel and salaries, a 15 percent rate cut, and a citywide crackdown on irrigation scofflaws—plus thirty households that had never been billed.
Andrew Jackson, superintendent of the water works, has filed his annual report with the mayor. The report shows that the receipts of the office for 1893 were about $148,000, while for 1894 they were only about $121,000—a falling off in one year of $27,352.66. The decrease is accounted for in large part by the 15 per cent reduction in water rates that went into effect July 1 last. Had this reduction not been made, the receipts for last year would have been $11,000 more than in 1893.
Deducting that $11,000 from $27,352.66 leaves a remaining falling off, which Superintendent Jackson accounts for as follows: 15 per cent reduction in rates, $11,000; old pipe sold in 1893 over 1894, $5,746; new taps sold in 1893 over 1894, $983.60; water rents in 1893 over 1894, $11,801.48. Thus the decrease in receipts was 23 per cent for the year compared with the previous year.
Operating expenses were also reduced under Mr. Jackson's management: expenses for 1892 were $61,712.30, while in 1894 they were but $45,135.36—a reduction of 26 per cent. The reduction was made by economizing in fuel, cutting down salaries, and dispensing with as much help as possible and expedient. From June, 1892, to December 31 last there were filed 2,100 vacancy notices; from June, 1893, to December 31, 1894, there were filed 2,600, an excess of 500, causing a shrinkage of about $250 per month, or $3,000 per year.
In 1894 a material reduction was made in elevator rates, causing a falling off of $1,661.48. The superintendent says there was considerable complaint from the roadway district about shortage of water, and it was found that the tank was empty although water was being pumped into it at full capacity. On August 30 an extra inspector was employed with instructions to shut off the water from everyone violating the rules and using water for irrigation outside the houses permitted. As a result many houses were deprived of water and owners were subjected to a $2 fine. On August 30 the consumption was 1,528,920 gallons; each day thereafter until September 5 it was only 1,042,920 gallons—a falling off in six days of 430,000 gallons, and a saving of 1,502,274 gallons within that period. After that there was always a sufficient supply and no further complaints.
The report also shows increased efficiency of the pumps. Each cord of wood at the Lake Washington pumping station last year pumped 51,003 gallons more than in 1893, or 330,313 gallons per cord, compared with 281,000 gallons per cord the year before.
The report concludes: 'In the past four months thirty families were discovered as having been using water for which they had never been charged, as the office had no record of them as consumers, and some $400 has been charged and collected during this time for such water rents. In some cases they were charged back as far as March, 1892. From these newly found consumers a monthly revenue is now derived for the city.'
“In the past four months thirty families were discovered as having been using water for which they had never been charged, as the office had no record of them as consumers.”
Seattle's water system is now a regional public utility, but the 1894 report already sounds familiar: rate relief, operating efficiency, and enforcement against unmetered or wasteful use. The discovery of households that had never been billed anticipates today's debates over utility billing, conservation, and who bears the cost of public infrastructure.
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