The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-03-28
OUR WATER SUPPLY.

COMPLAINTS OF SCARCITY OF wATER-wHAT
COMMISSIONERS CAMPBELL AND CHIEF EN-
a1NEEa CAMPBELL SAY ABOUT 1.-THE
cAUIFIELD CONTRACT
Through the medium OF tho HERALD's "Complaint
Book" readers have doubtless become already some
wha. familiar with the tact that the supply OF Croton
wafer In sections Of the city Ia not adequate 10
the necessities the residents In the upper stories
Of some houses up town. as well as in downtown
residences the scarcity OF water seems TO DO source
Of much discomfort Efforts the part OF the suffer
era solve the difficulty OF short supply seem fruit
less, and having no time themselves 10 hunt up the
causes several have writcn TO the HERALD calling at
ten,on to the matter and asking an explanation. One
correspondent suggests that the immense quantities
supplied to the shipping down town may be such q
drain as dearth OF water at times, and asked
for information regarding this matter. Yesterday a
HERALD reporter called on Commissioner Campbell OF
the Depart of Pubic Works, and mentioning tho
complaints made inquired whether an explanation
could be given OF the of the trouble. Chief En-
cincer Campbell with the Commissioner at the
lime Boh gentlemen expressed surprise that
there should be any general scarcity OF WATER and SAID
that there ~ short supply extending over any dis
rict covering any considerable area OF the city no
complaint OF such scarcity has ceen made at the Offices
OF The department.
II should think" SAID Commissioner Campbell "th,s
Office would be tho place Tor those who suffer from
want OF water make their complaints"
Chef Engineer Campbell added to this remark his
belief that II was only IN an
casional house here and there. where the builder
deavored TO supply three or four houses through one
pipe IN such instances of course not the city, but
The owner OF the houses. was 10 flame.
1.-THE water IN the reservoir now,' said the Com.
missioner the Chef Engineer sis much ghcr than
II some time ago, Is II noty''
The Chief Engineer replied that during the past sum-
mer, when water supply really short, the depth
in bhe reservoir only sixteen feet; now
is thirty feet.
CAuLriELD CONTRACT.
IL scc,n continued Commissioner Campbell, 'that
correspondent OF the HERALD signing himself An
uptowner, inquired whether the drain on the pipes
the supply OF the shipping may not account Tor the
scarcity OF water in his district Now, up town Is n
large space, and while the writer OF that communica-
ton may find MS supply Of water short, we do not
where he is, and cannot tell whose fault II
that he suffers"
"And about the supply to the shppingy' the writer
inquired. What interest has tho city In that
tract, and how does affect the water consumption"
Ot course the shipping has to be supplied" the Com
missioner replied land for the Caulncd Contract
1t called, It's history is very well known. Some
five years ago license was given to Mr.. Cauneld 10
supply the shipping OF the port, aud for this privilege
he pays the city $685. year IL Is claimed that he
great deal than that and that the city is
SO much the loser. But OF that we shall know more
June when the contract expires. Ii the city
realize more by attending to this matter directly
through It's officers IL IS right II should make all
that be maze out OF it, "At present." Mr. Campbell
said. al do think there is any real ground Tor
plant account OF scarcity OF water except, as the
Chief Engineer says, In Isolated instances" :