The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-05-11
The Anchor. Ice Barriers
ira Winter.
HINTS FOR THE WATER BOARD
Marsh Soil and Disease Bearing Matter
Must Not Reach the Citi-
zers' Hydrants.
Necessary improvements in Duchess, Put
nam and Westchester Counties.

For some months past complaints have been pour
Ing In upon the city Sanitary Inspector from citi-
xens of the condition Of the CrotOn water Some
people found mouldy taste, they said, which was
most Objectionable, while others discovered dark
color and bitterness in the water that slckened
them. At first it was supposed these rumore Of in
purites In the Croton started by discontinued
persons whose fancies led them TO belief but when
the complaints continued to come in from almost
every part OF the city the health authorities deter
mined it was time to look into the matter Accord
ingy one Of the members OF the medical staff at
tached TO the board was ordered to investigate the
subject, and in due time report was made to the
Sanitary Committee to the effect that there
was really some difficulty with the water.
This fact having been ascertained beyond
a doubt, Commissioner Manierre, ut the
last meeting OF the Board of Health,
introduced resolution asking that an analysis Of
the water be made by Professor Chandler and the
result communicated 20 the Board. The resolution
was
UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED,
and amendment added to it by DIR. Stephen
Smith, which gave $50 to the anayser TO defray the
first expenses. 1t was then decided in the Board
that, In the event of Professor Chandler reporting
the water to be in dangerous state, he should be
commissioned to follow up the subject until the
source OF the impurities was found, and then the
Health authorities would apply aremedy. There can
be no question that at the present time this is a
most important subject; the city is absolutely teem-
ing with filth; the warm weather has set in sud
denly and IT, with all this surface invitation to dis
ease, an impure water is given the people
to drink, then there can be doubt
OF the sweeping results upon the popua-
ton. Smallpox and other contagious diseases
20 on steadily eating their way into the life Of the
CITY, and il all the ills attendant upon the consump
ton OF bad water be added to the already aggra-
waited condition OF affairs an epidemic viii most
certainly be the result. The manner OF analysis
proposed by Professor Chandler is TO procure
Crotou water from different parts OF the city, sub
feet each portion to a separate examination, and
then by a comparison of results determine the
cause OF the difficulty. In this gentleman does
nor arrive at any
SATISFACTORY CONCLUSION
from what ne can discover by the water In the city
and the reservoir is the intention of the Board OF
Health that he shall continue the same system up
the way Of the currents and the lakes 10 find out
how and where the impurities commenced. 1t is
supposed by competent authorities that the weather
is almost entirely the cause OF the present state
OF the water. The winter just past, they argue, has
been q severe one without much snow or rain. The
consequence was that the ground had become so
hardened the water could not flow through IL, and
rose to the limit OF the lakes, not being able to
find an outlet through the ground 1t rushed down
10 New York the surface, bringing with ii de-
cayed vegetable and other matter. This filth he
came lodged in the reservoir until the supply
decreased, and then, when the water in the reser
voir became low, the injecting matter found Its way
into the pipes AS long as the water In the rcser-
voir was up to the proper mark the impure ingrc
dents did not find their way to the people, for the
reason that the water running into the pipes was
drawn from the surface purest water just come
into the reservoir but as seon as the supply fell or
the bad water moved into the pipes and Is there
not be worth much, still 1t IS
MORE EASY SOLUTION
OF the trouble than to suppose any really deadly
matter could have found its way into the pipes
One great support OF the idea set forth in this the
DRY Is that in several localities complained of when
the matter reported to the Croton Water De-
partment the fire plugs In that district were al
TO o W. ce
not be done all over the city, in consequence OF the
small quantity In the reservoir but as soon as the
authorities say H. will be done all over
the city. In the meantime the people who are SUI.
ferinQ most from bad water In their houses should
report to the City Sanitary Inspector who will then
be in position to take the proper steps TO remove
the danger. Professor Chandler win, n all probe
hilty send In a report before the next meeting OF
the Board OF Health, and In that case the HERALD
will give the public the result OF the investigation
snvestigatiOns into the Cause of che Gro
tom Impurities, by y Herald Commits
sio1er.
CARMEL, Putnam County, April 10, 1872.
Probably no other subject much Interests the
people OF New York oty to-day as the allimpertant
one OF the water supply; and any new suggestions
made at this time cannot but be gladly received by
them, as well as by large numbers OF the residents
c-f westchester, Putnam and Duchess counties, 20
whom for obvious reasons, the condition OF the
works and the state of the water matters Of the
greatest moment. The question whether the vast
water demand OF the constantly growing metropolis
will ever exceed the supply is one that
has long exercised the minds Of some OF
the best engineers In the country. Within the past
few weeks fears have been freely expressed that
water famine at any time was imminent, and vari-
ous plans and projects have been proposed looking
10 the prevention Of calamity " which On cpl J