The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-19
THE JERSEY WATER SUPPLY.
Newark, Jersey City and Hoboken Locking
80 for Pure Water.
rause Of the Increase in Jersey City Water
Rates-A Trip to the Pumping Works at
Beileville-The Morris Canal the Fu-
ture Feedsr-What Chief En-
gineer Culver Says

Not one in one hundred OF the inhabitants OF
Jersey City and Hoboken gives a thought to the
water supply of these cities, except when the tax
Mills are sent around, or when the supply fails
through some accident. Certain II is that not one
In a hundred has seen the immense buildings Mt
Belleyillc, and the mighty machinery employed to
convey water from the Passaic River to the reser-
-yors. But the time is fast approaching--nay, 1t is
upon us-when the people OF these cities, and of
Newark, too, with Bayonne and all the townships
In Hudson county, will be compelled to turn their
attention TO this subject. Water is as precious
rift of nature to man the air breathe, but IL
there be not pure supply 1t is no longer blessing
hut an evil The following facts, figures and con-
illusions will, therefore, afford wholesome food for
reflection to every person living within the limits
OF Hudson county and Newark. The pumping
works of the latter city located on the Passaic
River, about mile from the works that supply
Jersey City and Hoboken conformity. AS far as the
water supply is concerned, Jersey City and Hobo
ken may be regarded as one city, both being SUP
piled from a common distributing reservoir.
The water works OF Jersey City, instead Of being
selfsupporting, have been a burden on the city.
The expenditure amounts to $150OO0 per annum,
the increase every year being over twenty per
cent. With view OF making the wsrks sel-sus-
tanning the Water Department of the Board OF Pub
NC Works have raised the water rates, and there is
consequently much grumbing among the taxpay-
ers. The grumblers win fnd however, in this
case that their complaints not well
founded. II the administration of two years
ago was eXtravagant and corrupt be-
yOnd all precedent, the present administration
has fallen into the opposite extreme Of economy.
AS municipal affairs conducted now, 1t is no ex-
aggeration to state that Jersey City never had a
setter government. The old rotten democracy
sleeps in the same grave with corrupt republican,
ism The ''ringsn are all broken. The prostitution
OF public once to private gain-to use Judge Bede's
wOrds--s with the dead past. The season Of
AWAY. Let those who feel aggrieved on account OF
Increased rates open their eyes, therefore, to
pfe explanation here given.
The Increase in the water supply last year was
tweAty-three per cent This means correspond
m spa IN The Pa iron
cement thirty-six inch main now being laid by
John 4: Halliday from the receiving reservoir at
Bellev1lle to the Hackensack River, q distance OF
p 800 feet, OF which 1850 feet Is on the Hacken
Back meadows, involves large outlay. When 1t Is
mains-twO OF thirtysix and one OF twenty inch
diameter. To insure perfect confidence i'll the iron
to severe tests, and 1t sustained a pressure of
300 pounds to the square inch, While the
sixy-five pounds. This pipe as wei as the new
reservoir, constitutes the best fixed capital for
the city, for while the expensive machine at Belle.
gravity supply Of water from new source, this
main will be indispensable. Add to these facts
that the revenue to be derived from the increased
water rates this year WILL according to the cacu-
iations OF Mr. G. b. Smith. Assessor Of Water Rates,
amount TO $3s5, O00 and the public have both sides
" the account The excess of this revenue over
he running expenditure ($150000) Will be ap-
lied to the contract for the new main
lluded to. In this connection 1t Is necessary to
xplan that the contractor - unable to get any
oney from the city for any portion OF the work
me, and he has repeatedly threatened to abandon
prosecution OF the work: Mr. John Z. Culver,
lei engineer OF the Board OF Public Works, states
at, In view of possible, If not probable, contin-
ncies, 1t is almportant for the city that tho new
. e be laid by Jnly or August. II the Taxpayers
:. feel aggrieyed, let them bear in mind that in
. contract for the pipe $3.50, 900 was saved to
a city, according to the report OF the chief engi-
% r. II further reasoning be required, let them
70 r to the following table OF water rates:-