The Sedalia Democrat from Sedalia, Missouri • Page 232

BACK OF THE RESERVOIR pictured above Is the Sedalia Waterworks plant of early days on the grounds of whieh in 1872 a sumptuous feast was served to local dignitaries and guests from other cities in Missouri and Kansas shortly after first hydrant tests of the new plant were successful. The entire cost of these works was $100,000 cash. History records on that night Sedalia was grandly illuminated in honor of the successful completion and inauguration of the Holly Waterworks, much to the satisfaction of a group of energetic citizens who initiated first discussion of the need for a waterworks at a meeting of the Sedalia Library Association March 3. 1871. The committee appointed to look into the matter consisted of Col.

R. S. Stevens, George G. Vest, James O. Ives and Abram Meyer.

WORLD-WIDE SERVICE LAND-SEA-AIR Authorized Agent Packing Shipping Anatra Crating Insured FREE Estimates Dial TA 6-1946 Nite TA 6-2643 MID STATE STORAGE Lamine Mo. Pacific Tracks Dan Doty and Son Sedalia Wholesale Plumbing Fixtures and Supplies Serving Sedalia and Surrounding Area with MODERN 10 THE smiis. semocba: Sedalia, Missouri, Sunday Morning. October I960 aterworks Up Out of Creek Into Modernity The Sedalia Waterworks was built by the city in 1871-2 and later purchased by a local company in 1877, and this company subsequently sold it to the General Waterworks Corp from which the city purchased it on April 1, 1057. During the years of private ownership it operated under a franchise originally given in 1877 and renewed through the years until the city assumed ownership and operation.

At the time the city purchased the waterworks, it created a nonpartisan Board of Public Works, by ordinance to operate the utility. The original members of the board were Herman FT Bloess, chairman; Henry Salveter, secretary; W. A. Howell and C. R.

Bothwcll. In 1958. Salveter resigned and was replaced by Claude Boul. Later, Salveter was appointed counselor for the board. I.

H. Reed, who had been general manager of the Sedalia er Co. for a number of years, was continued as general manager for the Board of Public Works, until his resignation in June, 1958, Major C. Hagar, a sanitary engineer, replaced Reed as general manager at the time his resignation became effective in August, 1958. The waterworks has grown over the years from a modest beginning when all water was obtained from Flat Creek, and in the beginning was pumped directly into town without purification.

Later, purification was added, and in 1917, the present treatment plan was completed. In 1926, Spring Fork Reservoir was constructed to furnish the hulk of the water supply for the city. A smaller reservoir, Lake Tebo, was also used until the flood of 1951 washed its dam away and destroyed the reservoir. In the past several years, both deep and shallow wells have been to supplement the reservoir water These wells will turnish approximately 1.75 million gallons per day on a firm basis. Flat Creek water is not used at present, except in emergencies.

In April, 1957, when the city the waterworks over, there cusiuiiitrrs. April of that year, the city pumped 51.744,000 gallons of water. In April 1959. there were 8.191 customers and the city pumped 58,775,000 gallons. This indicates a healthy, growing utility.

The number of regular employers on the payroll is 36. These employees are divided between production, distribution and administration. The bonded indebtedness of the system is $2,700,000, on which $94.500 per year is paid in interest. In addition to the money set aside for interest payments, an addition, sum oi $30.000 a year is being set aside for reserve, to protect the investment. This fund will be added to until a total of $210.000 is reached, and then will be maintained at that level for the duration ol that indebtedness.

Flxpansion programs are limited to what surplus may be accumulated after operating pen es, bond service and reserve funds are satisfied. This means a limited expansion program for several years. The board recently placed a request for the Corps of Engineers, US Army, to include in itheir planning for flood control on Flat Creek an additional 8.000 lacre-foet to be allocated lor use of the city as a future municipal water supply. At the present time. Spring Fork reservoir, when full, has a 1.420 acre-feet storage capacity.

I HE SEDALIA WATERWORKS plant shown above was erected at a cost of $110,000. The bond election for it was passed September 27, 1871 with only 19 votes against it. Also shown is part of the 250 horse power pumping engine; one of the 150 foot standpipes for water storage and pressure at Broadway and Engineer; the reservoir (right) and Lake Tebo (left). During a season of rains and cloudbursts the dam holding the Tebo water gave way flooding the Flat Creek basin and inundating the water plant and surrounding area. This occurred June 28, 1951.

Since then the dam was restored by I Fred Wesner on whose property it is located, southwest of Sedalia. DISTRIBUTOR FOR AMERICAN STANDARD Plumbing, Healing Cooling Products Mission Automatic Water Heaters Redo Submersible Pumps Tollman Conduit Pipe and Fittings Tollman Company SEDALIA, MO.w BUTLER Prefabricated BUILDINGS HP i Another Tempei-Callison triumph Homakers new furniture store on South Highway 65 one block from Highway 50. UP TO 120 FEU WIDE without a column! The new Butler Kuilding System otters a modern sweeping look and elear-span tn commercial or industrial structures at a cost and quality possible only with mass production through pre-engineering methods. Butler, largest manufacturer of pre-engineered buildings, developed this low-profile system making it feasible to bridge floor areas up to feet wide without a single post or roof truss. Tempel Callisoa franchised Butler builder, recognizes the inevitable role tn the years to come for effirient, low-cost commercial structures in expanding Sedalia.

Tempel-Callisnn has unquestionably been an important contributor to economic past and Tempel-Callison stands ready to join hands with industrial and commercial Sedalia in meeting the forthcoming demands af another year or decade or century! Ease of heating and air- conditioning Fast, economical erection Low maintenance Stronger supporting frame work Ease of expansion Distinctive appearance Versatility BUTLER: TEMPEL-CALLISON COMPANY 160. llrti MO..