50 years ago: Water rates set to increase

50 years ago Population 3,179 (U.S. Census 1960 and 1970) Water: A 333-percent increase in the cost of water delivered from the Placer County Water Agency to the City of Lincoln is looming in the future. The cost to the average homeowner in Lincoln is not, however, expected to be more than double, according to PCWA officials. However, the final authority for setting the rate rests with the city council. Currently, homeowners are charged a flat $6.25 per month rate. Rough calculations indicate the future charge to water users in the City of Lincoln would be in the neighborhood of $11.55 per month if the city continues to subsidize the general fund with water sale revenues. Last week, the PCWA told city officials that once improvements from the Davis-Grunsky Act and bond monies approved in 1974 are made in the next several years the cost for treated water delivered to the city will be $52 per acre-foot as compared to the $12 the city is currently paying per acre for untreated water. The increase does not reflect the 10 percent increase announced two weeks ago by the PCWA board for all types of water users. That increase was made in an effort to cover additional maintenance and operational costs brought on by inflation. PCWA consultant engineer Jim Brady reminded city council members attending a "discussion" meeting Thursday in Auburn that the City of Lincoln has the largest usage of water per person than any other city in Placer County. Currently, 340 gallons of water are used per person daily in Lincoln compared to an average of 180 gallons per person each day in the rest of Zone One of the PCWA system. Mayor Mick McCartney indicated he would try to launch a water conservation program in Lincoln in an effort to counter the increase. Brady indicated to McCartney that metering would cut water usage by at least half. Councilman Nello Stefani expressed the viewpoint that the city should possibly re-evaluate constructing its own water treatment plant. Under the PCWA plan, Lincoln's water will be treated at the Sunset plant, filtered and transmitted to Lincoln through pipes and stored in the Lincoln reservoir. Currently, the PCWA sends untreated irrigation to Lincoln through open ditches. Once it reaches the Lincoln reservoir in the foothills it is treated with chlorine and other chemicals and flocculated but is not filtered. The primary reason for last week's meeting was to unveil PCWA's modified plans for the Davis-Grunsky Act and bond monies. PCWA had to re-examine its position after inflation forced the cost of the original $6 million project upwards to $8 million. The PCWA board has eliminated the possibility of a treatment plant for Lincoln as well as cover for the reservoir. In addition, PCWA Chairman Roy Ruhkala announced other proposals in an effort to cut down the project cost. Included was the relocation of one water treatment plant in an effort to cut back on transmission, elimination of some transmission lines and reduction of water treatment plant capacities. The Fiddler Green water treatment plant and reservoir will be moved from its original proposed location below the Newcastle Cemetery to a point where South Canal crosses another canal that would supply water to the proposed facility. The site was decided upon after the Bureau of Reclamation indicated the agency may obtain water from an outlet to be constructed with the new Auburn Dam. The initial capacity of the Fiddler Green treatment plant will be reduced from 10-20 million gallons to 5 million gallons. The Bowman water treatment facility that was intended to have a capacity of 5 to 10 million gallons under the 1971-72 plans has been proposed for a 3.5 million-gallon capacity. Other items proposed for elimination from the project include a parallel transmission line from the Auburn treatment plant to the Bowman facility, reduction in size of the main Rocklin-Loomis transmission line from 30" to 24", elimination of several loops in the City of Auburn as well as the elimination of the cover for the Lincoln reservoir. Ruhkala indicated all current proposed plants will have the capacity to be added to double or triple their output of treated water in the future at minimum cost. Members of the PCWA board pointed out the Davis-Grunsky Act monies may not be used for projects that concern the public health. Bill Grant, PCWA manager, indicated the board will probably read a final decision as to its project plans within a month. After a board decision, the contract could be let within a year and the project itself could be completed within two to 2½ years. Note: The Auburn Dam was never built. 75 years ago Population 2,410 (U.S. Census 1940 and 1950) It's toast and coffee for Lincoln residents during the coming week. And for free. It's all part of a demonstration being put on by the Sunbeam Corporation in cooperation with three local merchants. To be on display are Sunbeam's Coffeemaster and automatic toaster. Both items of merchandise are automatic, with a minimum of physical effort and food wastage, according to Sunbeam. The three dealer stores – C.C. Neville & Son, Tofft Hardware and Wyatt Hardware – are the local sponsors for the demonstration. The offer is made to any local resident to drop in at any of the three stores during the week March 23-31 for their toast and coffee. Just to make sure they know how to turn out tasty toast and coffee, representatives of the local dealers attended a breakfast at the Happy Hour Café in Roseville last Saturday, where they saw the appliances in use and had a breakfast featuring toast and coffee. 100 years ago Population 1,324 (U.S. Census 1900, 1910 and 1920) Ad: Beermann and Company ran an advertisement saying "Real Service. There are many little tricks employed by good meat buyers in judging quality. And we are perfectly willing to share our secrets with you. We buy only the best, but we want you to know right at the time of your purchase that you are getting what you want. And our prices are right, too. Let us show you a few simple tests." PG&E's ad stated, "Out of every dollar you pay us for gas or electric service about ten cents goes to the State and Federal governments. We paid back $4,495,600 of your money for taxes last year." More Lincoln history: An opera house in Lincoln? How many Lincolnites were ever opera fans? Performances were advertised in the News Messenger and on posters. They were to take place in the "Lincoln Opera House." Closer inspection revealed these performances did not appear to be true grand opera. In fact, some were obviously not even musical in nature. The word "opera" was apparently being used rather loosely to refer to any kind of performance played in front of an audience. Western movies were often referred to as "horse operas." Lincoln's Opera House was on the southwest corner of 6th and G streets, a rather noisy location since the railroad ran right next to it on the west. The busy railroad freight and passenger depot was immediately to the south of the building. The two-story structure was erected at 6th and G streets by the "Lincoln Hall and Building Corporation" in 1899. It was dedicated on May 26 with a grand ball by the Native Sons of the Golden West. Note: Space permitting, I will continue the brief story of the Opera House in next week's issue. Source: "Fortuitous Findings in the Lincoln Area Archives" by Jerry Logan. This book and others written by Mr. Logan, a Lincoln Area Archives Museum co-founder, may be purchased at a nominal price from the museum in Beermann Plaza, 640 5th Street. Also available are post cards featuring old Lincoln as well as other items. Hours are Thursday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Come in for a fun look at Lincoln's history. Thank you for reading! MBO