St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-11-24
CITY WATER SUPPLY.
No Possible Danger Of a
Shortage Apprehended
by Officials.
Extensions Just Completed
That Will Double the
Watershed.
Terrific Cost Of the Talked
OF Conduit From Mile
LaeS.
q Complete Exp Osition OF the
Service ana Its Posi-
bilitieS.

For nearly two weeks past, beginning
with brief discussion in the chamber
of commerce, there has been well-de-
fined agitation of two questions very
close to the welfare and prosperity OF
St. Paul. Both touched upon the water
supply of the eity-frSt, is it adequate
and durable? and, second, is it pure and
wholesome? This agitation, whether
with or without defensiDle anlmus.
will result in good. 1t has brought be-
fore the public a sense of the possible
danger involved in both questions. and
will now bring a sense of appreciation
of the present service. when it is shown
clearly and beyond doubt that, first, ie
water supply is amply abundant Tor the
present. for the near future and for any
emergency that can now be cOnJured up;
and, second. that the supply Is pure
and wholesome TO surprising degree.
1t is matter that can readily be dem
Onstrated that the present supply SerV-
ice was laid cut upon a scale OF breadth
that inteliigentIy eomprehended the
growing necessities of the city and the
phenomenal growth of territory and pop
ulation predicted 10y the past. and also
provided for that future range as far as
practicabiiitv can reach. Within ten
days new machinery will be set III 0p-
eraI .On that Will more than double the
present supply capacity, extending the
available watershed from, in rough
numbers, 80 square miles to20O. A conl-
plete understanding of these facts is all
that is necessary to maintain public
confidence.
The present agitation began in the
chamber Of commerce last Monday
week, wien prominent gentlemen very
properly inquired into an alleged dan
ger of shortage of water. 1t was stated
that as a result of the unprecedented
drynesS of the year the water, both i'll
the city supply and surrounding lakes,
had been greatly lowered, ami that some
danger of water famine was to be APP
pretended. Ibis fact, taken in cOnnPc
ton with the probable growth CT the
Cities and the naturally increased de-
mand for water, led To the suggestions
or the future supply, and brought out
the scheme 10 90 to Mile LacS or the st.
GTUlX river. Since that discussion the
water supply question has been gem
orally a2itat, d-all Oh one side,
as Jar as publications were coll
cerned: but now comes the first
definite and reliable summary of the
situation. Is there any danger of
shortage of water? Positively, none.
The year Just closing has been the dry
est, save one, of which we have any
record 7 he nrpciDitatIOn for 1889 will
be about fifteen inches, as against an
average, in thirty years. of twenty-siX
inches. The record was only equaled
once, twenty-five years ago. WHEN the
rainfall was a trifie over fourteen
inches. This year, then, is a crucial
test. 1t is reasonable to suppose that
such another abnormal period of
drought will not soon again infiict US.
and if this crisis is safely passed there
is nothing to fear. What then, is the
present situation?