The New York herald., 1876-11-15
Arerdoe Area Drarn M

Among tho erroneous vows entertained by some as
TO tho sources OF our water supply Is that In regard TO
the Croton Lake, artificial BODY OF water formed by
the dam at the head Of the Croton Aqueduct II has
been stated that this lake decreasing in depth from
tho deposit OF silt brought down by tic Croon River,
and thus diminishing the available quantity OF water
The Croton dam is forty iect high, and II should DO
remembered that the aqueduct draws from the surface
OF the lake. and from tho bottom, that even In
case OF large deposit the amount Of water 10 be drawn
on from this lake Is not affected, except Al its head,
where v - narrow and shallow In order TO ascertain
the truth In regard TO the deposit OF earthly matter in
Croton Lake soundings have recently been taken with
the result reported by The engineer, Mr. Church,
rhsre was no evidence q mud deposit from the lip of
sns dam tor i've hundred fee, up the lake Over this area
that tho sounding weight brought up sediment
the entrance q the CONDUIT bc condned tho
upper end q tho lake and the mouths Of larger
noLc Of which are within and hall miles OF The DAM
Some erroneous statements have also been made in
respect 10 the purity OF the Croton water. as being
affected bY man uiacturng ostabils hnenis upon the
it tributaries. while, in fact, throughout the
wholo dsnco from the lakes In Putnam county tho
head OF the aqueduct there but small hat factory
ana few grst and saw mils. The country drained by
the Croton is entirely agricultural, and It's waters
correspondinrly pure and healthy Tho Disagree
able taste OF tho water during part OF tho
past summer probably arose from the lev stage
OF the water and the presence OF the other
uacturing works has been alleged. Had an
abundant reserve in storage reservoirs been at
command SO that a considerable volume might bc
thrown into the river when at its lowest stage, be-
lcve tho owl alluded 10 could have been much ale-
waited.
In concluding this branch Of my report I would
state that without loss OF me surveys will bc made
and plans prepared another storage in ad
don to that now In course OF construction SO as to
be In readiness TO put II under contract ample tme
to meet the increasing demands OF the city.
While large and liberal supply OF water for this
great city Is demanded by every consideration OF
health comfort and safety yet such has become the
habltua wasteuiness its of late years that the
ana economy arc regarded with dspeasure ana as an
invasion OF vested rights That water should be free
air is fine sounding phrase, but except in modI-
fled true than that food fuel cloth
ing or even money should be placed upon the free
list The atmosphere breathe is indeed, supplied
by nature free to all, but to provide the many
and comforts man, including the necessary element
oil water, 1t is ordered that labor must be employed
and means provided. With regard to water it is oftcn
necessary to sink wells, erect machinery construct
reservoirs ana aqueducts, lay down pipes and numer-
GUS other works in the procurement OF suf-
$31, ,000, 900 having been expended in this city
for the present water system, and millions moro
must be added AS the city grows in population. Tho
charge for interest on tho outstanding debt, main
teuanco and necessary new works 10 not less than
81 900 annually: water, therefore cannot be
aud falls in the shape Of water rents and taxes,
directly indirectly, evcfy inhabiiant OF the city,
II IL tho duty OF the municipal government provide
In the best and economical manner ample and
superabundant supply Of water for all the
shall arise II is the duly, as it is the interest Of
citizens TO avoid waste; TO obey the
dnances regulating It's use; to build houses with
i
necessary appliances to prevent loss and waste. The
city cnforces the ordinance that all build
ings snail be made nreproof to certain degree and
that walls shall be OF prescribed thickness &c. There
to be good reason why II should not regulate
tho quality OF pipes, plumbing, 40, within tho
buildings and thus prevent large amount OF leakage
and waste. Though the authorities may control tho
OF water in tho streets and At docks stables, n.y.
drants and large man uacturing establishments, yet
after all very large share OF the in the
interior Of the 100000 buildings which make up the
city
Although as previously stated tho subject Of an ad-
diona' aqueduct other conduit will be treated OF in
special report deem it proper now, and while tho
attention of all is directed to the water supply say
that IL is the opinion OF many citizens, who have
given the subject study and reflection, that, inde-
pendent TACT that the present aqueduct is ap
preaching It's maximum capacity, considerations Of
prudence and safety ca for the provision OF another
conduit. In this opinion concur The interests at
stake are largo that nothing should be left undone
human foresight can extend TO guard against
tho hazard OF interruption to the supply OF the city
with water.
II is truo the present aqucduct has remained un-
broken for third Of century Bat the day may
come when by flood avalanche or some Unforeseen
cause breaches will occur, In which
consequences would be disastrous In the extreme
even pecunary would entail losses Infinitely
beyond the cost Of an additional aqucduct