New-York tribune., 1885-03-25
CROTON WATER POLLUTED.
THE RIVER CONTAMINATED BY SEWAGE.

RESULT OF AN INSPECTION OF THE ChoioN
vALLEY-LIvNG UNDERNEATH DUMPS.
The attention of the Board of Health was called
yesterday to two reports upon matters OF erea' ih
portapce in view of possible outbreak OF cholera
in this city in q few months. One report, made Dy
Dr. Cyrus Edson describes an exhaustive investlga'
ton of the Croton water supply. Mayor Edsoh'
General Shaler and several other officials paid
visit to the Croton Valley last fall and made has.y
survey of 10. Afterward tho Board OF heaith
directed Inspector Lucas to complete an nspectioh
under the direction of DR.. Edison. Mr. Lucas since
then has inspected every tributary Of the Croton
River, carefully examining an area OF 339 square
miles. About 1000 persons live in the district at
present and the population Is increasing rapidly. In
some towns, like Brewster's, on the Croton River
the increase in population has reached point where
it suggests serious trouble for the future on account
of defects in drainage. No provision for the DIS
posal of sewage has been made at any place. he
present all this drains into the soil or nows INTO
the tributaries of the Croton River.
Some of the nuisauces which formerly were re-
garded as dangerous have been removed from the
region. There are now few factories in the Croton
Valley and the tanneries have disappeared. At two
points however large condensed milk factories have
been built upon the river banks. About 2oo men
are employed in the factories and the drainage
from the several buildings flows directly into the
stream. One factory Mt Brewsters is situated IN
such close proximity to the rivor that the sewage
contaminates tho water there At the same place Is
a slaughter-hOuse from which ofal and other foul
material are cast into the river Similar conditions
exist in a factory at Purdy's. At many other
points, where houses are scattering. the sewage
drains into the streams.
The situation In the Croton Valley is not con
sdered by Dr. Edison as particularly alarming now
because tho water is aerated and purified before II
enters the aqueduct. but it Is believed that II
cholera germs existed In the sewage they would re-
main in the water. system OF drainage by whicl
the sewage will be led away from the Croton Kver,
instead of into il. must be devised soon, Dr. Edson
thinks for the larger towns in the valley. NC
| action was taken this report.
The second report was presented by Major Gnliaia
| commander of the SANITARY Police. who had IN
| spected number OF homes for human beings undei
| the dumps where the refuse of the city s dis
charged. Captain Gastiin ot the steamboat nquMnu M
last month made the astonishing discovery that the
| hollow spaces under the dumps were inhabited DJ
Italian families and Major Bullard began an invests
CATION. Under twelve Of the thirteen dumps @ wer,
| found Italian rag-pickers, surrounded by mos'
frightful conditions. eating aud sleeping amid NIT
| which would kill animals. AT the foot o
Canal-st., three Italians lived in small space
under the pier close to the waters edge he nooi
| of their habitatiOn was covered to depth ol
| several inches with the accumulatons OF stree
sweepIngs and water collected in stagnant pools
near the rude benches which served a. beds. lhel
| stove was "a milk and about II were scattered
remains OF putrid fish. bones and other refuse iron
which arose sickening Odors Similar scenes wcr,
witnessed at other dumps, and the dump dwellcrs
| numbered altogether about sixty persons. AT SOM
places the inmates were not able to stand erect h0
we're obliged To crawl into their quarters on the
| hands and knees. Six Italians were found seateo
| about "A wash-boer under the pier at the loot o.
East Twenty second-st The boiler was filled wit
| potatoes stale bread and other refuse from ash
barrels which they had collected for food. Neal
| them were heaps of rags. on which they slept a.
night and large collection OF bones. tin cans and
bottles.
| Under the manure dumps at the foot OF Eas
Fort y-sixth-st nine Italians lived and their sur
roundngs were indescubably filthy and disgusting
| LIQUID manure drippcd upon them from above
whilc the stencil from the floor was horrible
| Similar conditions were found at the foot of West
| Twelfth-st and at tho West Forty seyonih-st
and West Nineteenth ST. dumps. Many details
were given by Major Bullard. Tho Board of liealtl
directed that the report be referred to the Com
missioner of Street Cleaning, with the request thai
Mr. Coleman shall turn the Italian colonies out o
their slckcning quarters As soon rs possible.