The New York herald., 1876-10-19
THE WATER SUPPLY.
IApoETAST LETTER FROM THE COMMISSIONER
or PUBLIC WORKS.


or PUBLIC WORKS.
DErARrsExr or frnLic WORKS, Oct. Is, 1875
To TnE Epiro. HERALD
am induced ty the numerous complaints OF ci.i
and The comments Of the public press, regard
TO the limited supply OF croon water In this city to
mako an .'oicial statement the condition OF tho
water supply snd the causes OF s presen. limitation.
In my report 10 the Mayor tor the quarter ending
June 80 tho general question OF the water supply was
discussed and statement made of the works CON-
peted and IN progress az tho OF the Croton for
storing water in order tho demand when tho
natural flow OF the Cro,on, by Of drought fails
to furnish sufficient quantity In that report 1t
stated. lrst that the aqncduct has sufficient capacity
to afford liberal supply to the present population II
inexcusable waste can DO avoided and, second that
the water shed OF The Croon Valley has adc-
quasc, with proper storage its drainage and by tho
aid OF additional conduit, TO meet tho demand OF tho
city for generations to come also stated tha. the
steady and rapid growth OF New York would call
either Tor the early construction OF aqucduct,
the maximum capacity OF the existing having been
reached, taking the rate OF present consumption as
guide or resort to meters to restrict the use. the
latter remedy being, in my opinion, Objectionable in
many respects. Although the public generally
aware OF extraordinary drought during
the past summer, U Is probably not
known that from June until the present time, period
Of four months, tho drought in the Cro,on
Valley and It's tributaries has been uncyamped within
tho past nifty years. Since tho 22i OF June water
has run over the Cro,on dam except Tor the short
space OF four days Tho croton River itself has
dwindlcd 10 tho dimensions OF brook resort
has sarily been had the artificial reservoirs at
Boyds Corner and TO tho natural lakes OF Westminster
aud Putnam counties.
During this period OF unprecedented drought
44O 600 900 gallons cf water have been drawn from
tho water stored up In these basins Although had
every anticipate rclic from showers
and nutunlnal rams tho attention Of the department
has been unrcmittiug in procuring such additional
supplies as could by any possibility be commanded
Lakes nihorio not possessed by tho city have been
purchased leased, their outlets cut down, and
volumes OF wafer thus added 10 the Croton RIVER
These purchases and works, whine aifordng inds-
pensable relief in the present extremity, will forever
remain useful and necessary part OF The water system
oi the city.
Tho rainfall as registered IN Putnam county, from
June 10 the present time has been AS ollows:--ln
June, 81 nches IN July, 2i2 inches IN August 20
inches ~ September, Il inches; in October (cghteen
daysl Lar inches.
The September rains may be said to have been en-
tiroy absorbed by the parched earth, as only one
fourth OF inch was drained into tho receiving basins
The combined storage capacity ol the single artificial
reservoir yet completed ana OF the natural lakes pos
scsscd by the city, including those recently acquired
Is about q, 0o0, ,00o, 900 gallons.
On taking charge Of this department, IN February
last iound au additional reservoir course con-
Etruction the middle branch OF the Croton in Put
nam county, which had recently been put under con-
tract, but upon which comparatively little work had
been done
This is now in progress but fifteen months will
be required Tor It's completion. II will hold
4,0o0, ,000, 900 gallons which, in addition to the
amount previously stated, will insure ample supply
even season OF drought equal TO that through
which we passing l Shall urge It's complexion At
the earliest possible day.
Other reservoirs and must be constructed at the
sources OF the Croton as tho city grows In extent and
population.
Ii the duty OF the department and Its head should
bo held responsible tor tho great trust to that
these works started and completed. only in
good time but before even the possibility OF inadequate
supply shall arise.
Elaborate and careful surveys o. tho Croion water
she'd were mado few years since by the Croton
Aqueduct Department under the direction oil Ar.
Craven. The maps ana records file in this de-
partmcnt from VIII ch new dams and reservoirs be
projected and put under contract from time to time
required.
reerate the statement made in my late quarterly
report the Mayor, after describing Tho region At
'tne sources oi the Croton, tnal there can De no
for apprehension AS so the elementary question
Of abundance Of pure watcr Tor city OF vast
PORTIONS and ada that from this source he supply
| must come AZ the most available and economical
In my report discussed briefly the question Of a
new aqueduct and gave my opinion in favor OF such a
work, precrcnce 10 resort 10 system OF meters
TO be placed every house In order restrict the
OF water, but expressed the hope that in of
present the great expsnsc Of an
additional aqueduct might be postponed or years
am satisfied that early steps should te taken 70
prepare for the construction OF such work. and the
|
surveys and preparations Of plans both scientific and
financial for It's eonsummation. estimate the OF a
new aquednct including the accessory works Of
vors and distributing pipes at $40, oOo 900, and the
time for s completion NJ iopr years The CITY will a.
the expiration oil tins period have so much In
population that additional supply will be needed
Large as Is the gum required Tor this improvement
believe the citizens OF New York will cneeriuily bear
tho cost in view Of the benefits which u will Afford
provided they can be assured that the money VIII bo
honestly expended
From what has now been stated the cause OF tho
1
ordinary daily consumption at this season would be
100 900 gallons whorcas the present supply but
/ 20, OO0, 900 gallons, than onehaf oi which is
drawn from tue reservoirs in Putnam county and
weschcster county THIS supply is under tho control
OF the department, and II Is deemed prudent IN
OF the limited quantity still in store aud the
OF continuance Of tho drought to restrict the supply
to tho amount stated, although II ~ 10 be hoped and
there ~ reason TO believe that relief will come from
rains At any Day II is better by economy TO suffer
present partial evil than by exsravagance 10 the
! hazard OF a still q eater niiicton.
The department is,now engaged in securing addi-
onal present supplies from the lakes by further pur
chases and by depressing still more the outlets OF those
which will bear IT, and, notwithstanding the grave
pect OF the question, am IN hopes that the evil
OF water famine viii be ayerted.
That th. water does not rise high usual in
many houses due 10 the lower level OF the city
ervors consequent upon tho reduced supply from the
Croton River and Valley and only be remedied by
copious rainfalls. The high service supply which IS
intended to accommodate certain elevated parts of the
Guy is very beneficial and useful. have caused
examination TO be made OF the whole city pro.
pose TO extend the high service system 10 other ele
yatcd portions not now tnus accom- modafcd.
The expense Will be Insignificant IN comparison with
the ady antages to he Obtained.
It's proper to add that iae question Of o new aquc
duct has no connection with the present limited sup
ply, as the aqueduct Is only used TO about two
thirds OF It's existing capacity. The deficiency arises
from the extraordinary drought and not from def
cheney OF conduits. Tho views have presented
subject OF aqueduct references the noccs-
sites Of growing population AMI In com
mcrce and manufacture. ALLAN CAMPBELL,
Commi issioner of Public Works
THE NAVAL, CADET TROTIpT,E