New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-07-08
LOCAL MISCELLANY.
NEEDED SUPPLY OF WATER.


INTRODUCTION OF LARGE MAINS DOWN TOWN
uRGEp-How ECONOMY IN HOUSEHOLD USE OF
WATER MAY BE SECURED.
The question of supplying the lower part OF
Che city larger water mains Is discussed Win mueh
interest by insurance men and merchants AT recent
meeting Of the Executive Committee of the Local Board
Of Underwriters the following resolutions were unan
mously adopted
Resoired That the immediate attention Of the author
ties responsible for action in the prpmiscs be called 70
the aarnngy Inadequate water supply TOT and
that they respectfully requested to take measures TO
ease demand with such pronpness as to complete the
same frozen streets shall interfere with the WORK
tbe ocers OF this Committee and sent to the Mayor OF
the CITY the Board of Aldermen 10 the Department OF
Public Works, and 10 the Commissioners OF the FIRE De
psrtnent
Gen. Porter stated yesterday that nothing further IN
shs matter has yet been done by his department and
nothing be done until the Board OF Aldermen take
action The passed May o. 1878, provides that the
concurrence OF the Common Council, approved by the
Mayor necessary before any money can be EXPENDED
for the further supply OF water for the city With this
concurrence the Commissioner Public Works can pro-
eeed to make such improvements as he may deem nece
sary but unless the manufacturer has anticipated the
order and has already begun the manufacture OF
the pipes, 1t win require as much as SIX
weeks after the consent OF the Aldermen
has been obtained before work actually be begun on
the enaI cement OF the mains. He has the figures nee
essary TO enable him proceed Of with the work. II
he s willing TO take the risk" continued Gen. Porter
"bu did not feel authorized to make the order until 1t
had been approved by the Board OF Aldermen. This
supposed they would do last week. bat no action was
taken upon the subject"
In reply question IL sufficient quantity OF water
reaches the city, II properly used Gen. Porter unhesa
ngly stated that the city receives an ample supply the
excessive wastes could be stopped The largest waste
occurs on the ferryboas and along the docks on both
aides OF the city, Saloons allow constant flow of water
behind the counter throughout the year, and make a
heavy drain upon the supply
In recent conversation with a gentleman who has
gven subject adequate water supply for large
cities much attention several years past the follow
ing detailed statement was made:
One storage reservoir tributary n the Croton Lake has
q capacity OF OO,OOOQOO gallons ana anotner II
now In process Of construction with capacity OF
1000 100000 gallons. But the aqueduct can convey
only 600 900 gallons per day. while the daily use OF
water In New-YOrk City during the past year mas
been 1Oi 100000 gallOns-equal TO use by every
man, and child of 1O7 gallons day. IL Is man
fest therefore that nearing the day when new
squeduct be built, calling for fresh millions OF eX
pendure and already surveys have been made Tor put
hing out feeders Lake George, over 200 miles dsant
Willie for many years at least, there Is no
proper ground for the apprehension of water famine
IL will he that tho enormous Outays necessary 10
insure such lavish supply NewNOik has hitherto en-
joyed have borne heavily upon its citizens as to make
the water truly stupendous burden FOR NbeIhr,
direct indirect tax, the cost OF aqueducts ana
storage and distributing reservoirs has constantly III
creased Public and official appeal to use water saInsy
ts without force. =.
Nor will TIE rate tax, alphabetically imposed, stop the
waste. New-YOrk charges upon supposed use AT the
rate Is cents Thousand gallons. But II this nominal
charge high 90 cents the effect would be the
In proof Of this IL may be stated mat the rate TAX
Cents Cents