The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-10-02
THE WATER SUPPLY.


Decrease In the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES in the
Supply-Interestins statistics-No Scarcity
Apprehended.
Yesterday Commissioner Green and Chief Engi-
neer Church, OF the Croton Aqueduct Department,
returned from short tour OF inspection along the
line OF the aqueducr far out the Croton lake.
or the large reservoir above the DAM This trip was
undertaken by them in order to examine not only
the present condition OF the works, but also to
ascertain to what extent the late rains have con.
trbuted to an increase in the supply OF water for
This city, The drouhgt which had continued for
weeks had reduced the reserve OF water In the
reservoirs and the Commissioners OF the depart
ment felt 1t incumbent upon them to advise
the public to be economical in the use
OF water, and to stop all waste They
also, as Is well known, caused the Police
superintendent to issue an order stopping the use
Of Croton water for sprinkling carts and for the
washing OF carriages sidewalks, house fronts &c.
by means OF hose. This, as 1t necessarily must
have DONE created an impression among the public
that serious danger of scarcity Of water Is appre
hended, and many began to fear that the city was to
be subjected to a water famnen such as Philadel-
phia experienced only few weeks ago. This
uneasiness IN the public mind was OF so extended q
nature that The Commissioners Of the Croton Aque
duct Department could not remain ignorant OF 1t
nor be regardless OF lis taxing still wider range
And partly TO satisfy themselves OF the condition Of
things, partly, II possible 10 quiet all unreasonable
fear which might be spreading among the people,
the visit spoken Of made, and the result OF the
inspection was indeed gratifying.
CONDITION OF THE RESERVOIRS.
The advice Of the Commissioners against waste, It
appears, has had salutary effect more 80 than was
expected. The general average consumption Of
water in the city has been sixty million gallons per
day. In consequence OF increased carefulness OF
the public in the use Of water this has been reduced
about One-half and 1t Is stated to be now In the
npQhbOrhOOQ OF thirty million gallons 0ally. Thta
is exactly at the same rate per head of population as
In London, Paris and other continental Cities and is
certainly enough for oil purposes, being about three
gallons a day for each inhabitant. II people would
only continue to use water with the same care as
and never need fear any scarcity. But when one
In livery stables the hose stuck into tub
g Gay d ana e
Of waste it Is no wonder that in New York twice as
much water is used as anywhere else.
The effect OF the late rains ID Just now beginning
to be felt by the increased volume of water In the
creeks and rivulets which combine to form Crot0n
river and feed the CrotOn reservoirs. The regular
inflow at present Is about the quantity as the
daily consumptlon-namely, 30,000,000 gallons per
day. From this 1t is seen that the public should not
increase their consumption OF water, else they
would draw upon the reserves.
In consequence OF the rains there was an increase
feet in height This reservoir is 500 acres IN extent
800 OF which are now covered by water. The stream
o. water In inc saaeaacs mas n also
The present condition Of the reservoirs In the city
vor IN the Park there is depth OF water OF twelve
feet; in the south division depth OF water Of
feet three inches, and IN the Forty-second street
reservoir, OF eight feet three inches. The north
division in the Park Is comparatively dry, but this
reservoir was never dug GU 80 deep as the Others
and for this reason Is soon cmptied whenever there
is scarcity IN the supply from Croton Lake.
The water in the large reservoir it is intended to
retain at the depth Of twelve feet a reserve and
while using only what is now drawn from the aque-
duct TO keep this intact and not to diminish but
rather If possible to increase the quantity OF water
SO as to be able to meet asy call IN OF sudden
emergencies. The aqueduct itself was found to be
In excellent condition. In fact, II Is said that but
very little repair was needed during the year-less
than usual in former years.
These facts Will also account for the failure to re-
ceive water in the upper stories OF high buildings
GU very high ground. AS the surface OF the water
in the reservoirs has lowered SO has also its weight
and, consequently the pressure which drives the
water through the pipes. Moreover, this pres
sure--or, as it is technically called the "head OF
waterr-in the pipes decreases In the inverse ratio
to the square OF the distance. Hence the failure Of
the pipes to deliver water in localities such
TONED.
To conclude, IL may be safely stated that, in view
of the authentic facts set forth above scarcity of
Croton need be apprehended by the people; but this
should not induce any one to return to the former
custom OF uselessly wasting the water.