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V grounds, a meter being installed to measure the water delivered to the LVLandWCo. The contract now in effect between the LA&SLRRCo. and the LVLandWCo. for the joint use of the springs, etc., and the water main transmission lines Is dated March 30, 1929 (Audit Mo. 7322). It pro­vides for a monthly charge to be borne by the Water Company for its share of the cost of the water used based on the consumption by each company. The costs are revised at the beginning of each year to include the preceding year's changes in the LA&SL investment in the plant, and to substitute the cost of maintenance and operation of the plant, and quan­tities of water supplied, for the corresponding figures of the year before. LA&SLRRCo. Springs. Wells. Settling Basin. Reservoir and Water Main Transmission Lines used .jointly There are three springs, one of which, called the Middle, or Open Spring, has not been utilized in the water system because its water has been until now contaminated by vegetable matter. This spring deliv­ers from 300,000 to 400,000 gallons daily. The Big and Little Springs supplied all the water needed until 1925, when artesian well No. 1 was drilled. The water is relatively pure, excellent for domestic use, though hard, and is treated for locomotive use, but is delivered to city consumers in its natural state. The great increase in the population of Las Vegas from about 5000 in 1928 to 12,000 in 1941, due first to the construction of the Boulder Dam improvement, and recently to the national defense program of -2-