New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-10
A SCARCITY OF WATER.
MANY DEMANDS FOR MORE cRoroN.

MANY DEMANDS FOR MORE CROTON.
PLENTY OF WATER BUT INSUFFICIENT MEANS OF
BRINGING 1T TO THE CITY COMMISSIONER
CAMPBELIs SUGGESTIONS AND EXPLANATIONS.
Great complaint of an insufficient water-sup-
ply has been made recently by residents especially In
the higher portions Of the city The pressure is rarely
great enough it is said force the water above the
level Of the second oOr and occasionally water cannot
be drawn above the street floor. The dearth is the
Of much inconvenience to ALL the free use Of
water has become by long habit an absolute necessity
and is no longer looked upon luxury The fault Is
laid generally upon the Department OF Public works.
which bound In the opinion Of the sufferers, to furnish
generous supply Of water. Although frequent COM
plants have been made to the department, they have
not been followed by AN increased supply.
In regard to the scarcity Of water, Commissioner Al
Ian Campbell said recently: "The department is re-
ceiving indeed, continual complaints Of the lack OF
water though perhaps not more than usual iully ap
precate the gravity Of the difficulty, but can apply no
immediate remedy We can do no more than is now
DONE even II had Atlantic Ocean of fresh water
the further end Of the aqueduct. There Is water
en0ugh the rains have filed to overlooking the
CrotOn basin and inches OF water are now run
ming over the dam. All the reservoirs arc full and We
have been forced this season TO draw from our re-
served supplies. The acqueduct moreover, is running
constantly full within few inches OF the roof but for
all that is unable TO deliver water as fast
as it is used Through the warm weather the
water in the distributing reservoir has fallen constantly
although the aqueduct has made daily delivery oil
9O000O0O gallons To me this is on absolute demon
sratOn tho capacity Of the conduit is not equal TO
the present needs OF the CITY, Besides, have effected
q great saving from the previous wastase along the
rver-froDs and In all large manufacturing establish
ments Meters have been placed in all buildings where
large quantities OF water are used. These remedies,
with ygilant wachfulness the part Of inspectors,
have corrected IN some measure at least habitGal
wasteiuness We have saved somewhat, too, by repair
ing all little leaks the aqueduct ITSELF but despite the
practice Of these not trivial economies the supply
OF water is 1 am fully aware, not eomm'nsul-
ate with the needs Of the city. When the aqueduct
was built thought that IL would never be neces-
sary to nave 1t run than half full IN order fully 10
supply the city, while II IS running constantly quite
full"
The speediest and most effectua relief" Mr. Camp
bell continued woud be reached by the erection OF the
high service tower which It proposed TO buld the
old reservoir grounds, between Ninty-seventh and
Ninty-elghthsts. near Ninthave. This matter, which
deem OF the utmost importance to the city, have sub
mtted to the Board OF Aldermen, aud u IS out OF my
power 20 do anything until the proposal has the sane
ton and authority the board. There Is the difficulty,
The matter referred TO committee az the last meet
The Aldermen know very little about such matters as
tine water supply OF the city and besides
their ignorance, they not In the nabt
OF doing ANYTHING that does not inerest In some
way themselves their frieods. This department has
done everything within It's power, and now can look
only TO such an expression OF popular opinion shall
compeI the Aldermen 90 accord the plan favorable
consideration. The whole matter Is ycly simple, The
high service buildings would cost only about S2OOOOO
and would furnish an abundant supply OF water "a,
higher levels OF the city. The amendment necessary
was passed by the legislature IN spite OF the unreasOn
able opposition Of Controller Kelly, nDon my showing
TINT the cost the service would borne by an Rppro
priatiOn already made When completed the proposed
tower will supply 100000 gallons daily at level
that VIII remove all cause OF present complaint It
would require time erect the works II authority
should be granted immediately, should expect to have
them 10 readiness by the end of next summer"
We haVe now high service near High Bridge" said
the Commissioner, land peoble wonder sometimes Why
they do not have the supply from that they mad
when ID was built This expression OF astOnishment ut
the diminished water pressure Is very common Feope
creased constantly and In ratio much more rapid Than
The increase In population The city has grown out To-
ward High Bridge and ne nsp se5ySe s dneTe s DSw
only vacant lO. Il in fact doing greater work than
it ever did, but the demand on It's exceeds eap9e
state OF affairs has been recognized, and forcing
pumps have been placed In all high buildings. Why, |
recolect well when the fountain out mere ID the phIk
used 10 squirt up twenty thirty feet IN the air. Now
Il barely drzzles through the side sprays That per
fecty Illustrates ro changed condition Of the matters
the supply Is greater than ever BOT the consumption
outstrps L.. In tne two ana bali years that nave
mies OF new mains. This Is merely robbing Peter to
P1Ss The Housatonie scheme" concluded Mr.. Camp.
bell, els, I think, perfectly practicable, aud
eventually will be adopted, but that would he
useless without another aqGedGeI Lee Mnos eS
in round 1gres, and the city h not IN financial con
ditlon % warrant 50 large IN ousy az eo oh,oin,n INV,
supply from the Rye Ponds and the Bronx River for the
annexed district The plan would furnish daily supply
probably much over onequarter OF that quantity,
there would be surplus to be applied to the use OF he
81 25OO 600 aud would tide over for few years the
present difficulties. The HoUsatonic scheme, carried
5000. 600 Inhabitants; beyond that do not look"
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