New-York tribune., 1883-03-10
MORE WATER FOR THE CITY
AN ADDITIONAL SUPPLY IMPERATIVE.

|
Commission was formed to examine tho plan pre-
} pared by the Chief Engineer of the Croton Aque-
duct, and other engineers, for new aaueduct
and additional storage capacity for Croton water,
aud to report tho probable cost
the time required for the execution of the work,
etc. 1t was composed of o. b. Potter John T. An.
new, William Dowd, Amos f. Emo and Hugh N.
Camp. They listened to large number of persons,
including engineers who are deemed experts In hy-
drauhcs, and contractors and lam builders who
nave been employed some of the largest water
works in the country. The feasibility of bringing
water from the Ramapo watershed, In New jersey
and schemes for tapping Lake George and the Adj
rondack region, were presented The Commission
unanimously agreessthat the bringing of an addi-
dtional supply of water from the Croton water.
shed is the most feasible scheme. and that
the supply from this will be adequate for the
next twenty-five years. or until the consumption of
water by the city shall exceed 250 OO0, 900 gallons
per dav. The Commissioners are of the opinion
that the health, security and growth of the city
| imperatively require an increased supply of pure
| and wholesome wafer, and that such measures
should be taken by the Legislature as will enable it
to secure and provide such increased supply at the
earliest day practicable The introduction of salt
water for cleaning the Streets cutters and sewers
| and for extluguishing fires considered and
condemned because it would require a double sys-
| TEN of pipes in the streets and buildings.
| The report SAYS that the Croton Aqueduct is
| now in condition to deliver from 1000 900 to
9S,000000 gallons per day. 1t cannot be relied on
| TO deliver more. When the aqueduct was built the
population of the city was 100000; it is now over
| 100000. This increase, together with the in
creased demand for water by the rapidly growing
manufactures of the city, has so greatly increased
the consumption Of water that in many parts Of the
city It will now run only the lower floors and
sometimes only in the Easements and cellars. For
these reasons the Commission declares that
aqueduct should be built immedia tey large
enough to carry all the available water in tho
Croton watershed, and, with tho present one, any
additional supply which the city may hereafter SO.
cure from that locality. The present aqueduct, the
CommIssio believes, should not be less than Is
feet in clear inside diameter Its length from the
proposed dam at Quaker Bridge to SedgwIc k-ave.
will be 23l2 miles, if built from Croton Lake to
the same point 27si miles, 1t can be built at cost
notexceeding $500 900 per mile and can be flushed
within wo and One-half years.
The statistics of rainfall in the Croton watershed
show according to the report that IL is capable Of
furnishing at least 2j0,000,000 gallons per day.
The present storage capacity gives a total OF
$3.50, 6,0000 900 gallons. In such years Of drouth
1880 and 1881. in order TO be certain of a supply Of
100000 600 gallons per day, additional storage res
ervos of a capacity of at last 900 0000 900 gallons
should be built at once. Further provision must be
made the city increases in population. Two
plans are considered for the storage of water One
cOntemplates a large reservoir of 1888 acres, in-
cludng the present Cotton Lake, known as the
Quaker Bridge Reservoir, holding 32,0O0,000, 900
gallons By the other plan smaller res
ervOirs proposed the Croton
River and its main branches The COmmis-
sioners conclude, from the evidence of engineers
and contractors, that the Quaker Bridge Dam al
though when completed it will be the largest
structure Of the kind In the world, is practicable
provided 1t be built solid bottom, with a width
at the bottom equal to its heg ght; that the cost
should be within So 600, 600, and that it can be
constructed within five and oue-half years.
whether this dam should be built or sepa.
rate dams for storing water in the CrotOn basin at
the Quaker Bridge Dam be built any reservors
should be constructed in addition to the one pro-
posed near Brewster's Station.
IL Is recommended that the question Of an addi-
tondl water supply be referred to uuprejudiced
commission which shall he appointed IN sucha
partlality, and which shall have charge
of the construction of tue work. The
that there is great waste of Croton water in this
city and they recommend that all necessary powers
be given the Commissioner OF Public Works TO pre-
The importance OF restoring the Forty-second-st.
Reservoir to condition OF usefulness aud efficiency
and so maintaining it until some other adequate
means of securing pressure of water ia the lower
part of the city is provided the Commission believes
10 he pressing. 1t can be connected with the several
rotor mains for not more than $1,000, and would
DC extremely valuable in case of fire. The report
the repeal of the law providing for its
emo val.
THE REPORT.
We have performed the duties assigned the best
4 our ability in the time allowed. We have held thirty
hree meetings and have had before eminent engi-
eers possessing experience and knowledge respecting
lie water supply OF this and other elites and we have
greatly aided by the engineers at present in charge
the CroOn Aqucduct and water supply OF the city or
;ew York; we also preserved full stenogruphc re-
OF the information received from these engineers
nd of all other evidence presented to the committee.
have visited and examined the present CrOton dam
MI the site of the proposed dam at Quaker Bridge
nd also the OF the proposed dams ut Brew
er's Station, Putnam County.
We are OF opinion, well from our own observation
nd knowledge the statements made before US
la the health curity aud growth of this city mper
yely require increased supply of pure and whole
me water and that such measures should be immedi-
ey taken by tie Legislature as will enable the city TO
euro and provide such increased and sufficient supply
the earliest day practicable. We have considered all
e sources that have suggested from which To- OBJ
in increased supply. We have also considered
introduction OF salt for cleaning the Streets
ltters and sewers, and FOR extincuishing fires.
The introduction of salt water would require double
stem OF pipes both in the streets and in all build
rs into which 1t should be carried. The amount of
lter used in extingushng fires in entire year is less
az onehalf OF days consumption for other pur-
ses These facts decisive against the intro
elton OF salt water 30 long an adequate supply Of
sh water is obtainable at reasonable cost.
IL CROTON WATER SHED THE BEST SOURCE OF
SUPPLY.
Thc evidence before leaves doubt that the Croon
ter-shed Is the best from which 10 obtain an
creased supply OF water that the yield OF water
IN this source VIII be adequate to meet the wants OK
city for at least twenty-five years, or until the con-
npton OF water by the city shall exceed 2j0,O00ooo