Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-01-19
THE WATER SUppLN.

II W AlEb Sl
 In another column will be found some facts in regard to the history of our water supply that have special interest at this time when the question of increas- ing this supply occupies the public mind. From the researches made by our report CT it would appear that the policy pur- sued has been shifting and short-sighted from the beginning, never at any time looking beyond the needs of the hour and leading naturally as a result to the situation in which the city now finds itself It would seem to be advisable, in the light of our past experience, that a radical departure be taken from this policy and a source be selected that will, for several generations at least, settle the question of an adequate water supply and do ;tway with the necessity of agita ting ourselves every few years over the insutficiency of OUT resources.
 It appears from the records that our water system has already cost us half a million or more dollars, and if some of the present schemes should be encour- aged there is no telling how much far ther we will have to go in the line of expenditure. In fact, in the estimates based on the adoption of Hop brook as source of supply it is stated that a quarter of a million dollars will be added to the bonded indebtedness of the city. Here is a concrete. tangible, visible certainty. And yet, if like Pat rick Henry we look to the past for the we are not at all certain that this is all. As surely as night follows the day, as regularly as the courses of the equinox the expenditures have exceeded the estimates in every step that has been taken in the matter of our water supply from the beginning. It will be well. therefore. if we reckon for an excess of expenditure over the estimates in mak- ing the addition that is now admitted to be necessary. There is little doubt, since it has become known that Hop brook is likely to periodic spells of dryness, that this source would be entirely in adequate for purposes of sufficient supply, and it would seem the part of wisdom that it be dismissed altogether from con- sideration in the matter of the projected increase. Certain it is that, if Hop brook be chosen. it will be but a very few years when the same difficulties that now present themselves will be again pressing Jor settlement and the whole question nuSt he f0uUht over apajO
 The best policy then to be pursued at this time would be to select such a source as is admitted to be adequate both as to quantity and quail ty. Such a source is Bantam lake. It has an exhaustless supply, its waters are of the purest quality, the watershed is abundant, the location is favorable. the expense of its requirement and adapta- tion would be very little if any greater than that of Hop brook, Quassapaug | lake or Hancock brook. Indeed, when it is taken into consideration that Ban tam lake will settle the question of a | water supply fer years to come, while any one of the other places is certain to | exhaust itself in a few years, it becomes evident that any excess of outlay now required would be justified by the larger advantages secured. Bantam lake is the | best and most available source. all things considered. and we hope the present | court of common council will provide 1 for it's selection and acquisition.
 But whatever may be done. it should be done at once. The city fathers should see to it that measures are taken without delay to arrive at the best solution of this much veNed question. All the sources should be carefully investigated. with an eye single to the public welfare and with no regard whatever to the interests of any particular individual or set of individuals. It is the city of Waterbury, not any clique, ring or select body of its citizens, that is in terested in this question of larger water supply. When the whole matter is sifted and all the issues bearing on it are thoroughly understood we believe that the gentlemen to whom is committed the important duty of deciding the source of the new supply will realize that it is for the best interest of the city that Bantam lake be chosen.
 The short-sighted policy that has marked the past history of our water system should go the way of some of the supplies that have been suggested We 1 have had enough of water supplies that 1 have failed to supply-let us have one that will.