New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-05-08
A sCANTY WATER SUPPLY.

ApPREnYNsIOSs OF THE BOARD OF UNDERWRITERS
VIEWS OF THE COMMISSIONER oP PUBLIC
woRKs-LARGER MAINS NEEDED To GIVE SUI
FicIEsr SUPPLY DowE-Tows AND Ar HIGH EIJ-
vATIONs.
The low water supply in this city dnring the
past Winter especially in tho lover part Of the city
and on high elevations like Murray HILL has been made
the subject Of Investigation by tho Board OF Under
writers. Special Committee appointed to invest
gate the matter and report at future meeting. Mr.
Rankin OF the Scottish Commercial Company Is the
Chairman Of the Committee He states thas they have
obtained all the necessary information, and VIII report
within IL days to the Board. or to the Executive Com
mittee Until then he prefers to withhold his facts ana
recommendations
Gen Fitz John Porter, Commissioner OF Public Works
has control OF the Croton Aquruct Bureau and be made
yesterday tho following statement in regard TO the water
supply TO reporter OF TuE TRIBUNE
he aid that the water supply. which was 20 much re-
duced during the Winter n stll fa from meeting the re-
quirements Of the community. The Central Park r1er
voir lacks y feet 81 being up tho average hight The
supply OF down town ia not what 1t should be-
Almost daily the Department Ia 10 receipt Of cOmmunca
tons from citizens Of Murray l and ether elevated
places and downtown business complaining that
the head OF water Ia not sufficient to carry the water TO
the upper oors The original Hystem 81 distribution OF
water was based on the supp0sitiOn that SO gal
Ions OF water TO each person would be enough.
Hence inc pTFH much smaller cal nFr tllhn are
now required when the average consumption or WAFER
l. 100 gallons for each perSon- Flnlay" IL supplied
with main 81. inches in diameter This Is relied upon
not only to furnish water for domestic purposes but also
for projection against fire In the lower part OF the city
there many streets which have mains only six inches
IA diameter which extend long distances without com
uunCang with larger mains. In tie event 0f sndd
cOnhagra0n these scCtiOus would he without an AIDE
qiaie supply " water.
There II necessity for an immediate increase Of Tho
means OF distributing the water. Extensive cpnla2il-
tOus In other cities have called the attention o. the IN
sunnce companies ana business men generaiy 20 the
largo quantities and with high head This can only De
done by laying large mains from he Central PARK RsSr
vOir O. the lower part or the cry, which sliII not DO
tapped the way main has been laid through the
center " the city down bladisOn-ave.. and certain
streets TO Clalnhersst, along ChainDers--t ana
wafer recently prevented extensive nTe
IN Wmth>t Another main has been laid part way down
side. A large amount OF pipe j. required in
the new streets up town The resident of the annexed
territory very lnXiOns for Watcr supply. Two
miles OF pipes were laid there Lat year. principally 10
protrc tue District against fire. The hl now before ihc
Legislature asking for power 10 eXpcnd %l.1 O0co t0
extend the distribution OF water throughout the city,
lac thought good measure and one that ought 10 be-
law possible. in order that the work
might I've dung the weather when the
ground was free from frost.
Fir,-Mar-ha Sh ld0n said that he bad known OF
srciiy of water In the lower parts Of tho city during
pressure the hydrants than during the two months
ns He able 10 state whether or not the supply
opinion that sufficient suppl could De obtained through
the hyrn- combat OF the class OF fires that had
visited The city for the past TWO years AT the Oicr 0i
the Cnrf Engineer Of the Fire Department IL was stated
that serious mpcdm' nj had been nice with in obtain
Wnter during The winter for the purpose az eN-
tingnisLing fires The supply had been ,neater within
the past vrpks. II believed TINT ~ the present
time al the water thai would bo required AT lire could
be obtained 10 supply the fre-engincs and keep them
working in GOOD ORDER but there were no means Of
ascertaniug would be tho result In tho event OF an
unusually Large cOniasratiCn