Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-09-26
MouNTAIN WATER SUPPLY.

The growing necessity for ultimately
seeking pure water supply from the
mountain streams has produced pro-
ject the points of which appear in our
local columns, for taking it from the
watershed of Indian Greek. There is
much in the scheme as presented by the
engineer of the Western Water Company
which meets the requirements that will
! become imperative in the near future.
| There are also some features that do not
come up to the full standard which must
be set when this subject is taken up.
The fact that at this early stage propo-
sition is presented which goes so far to-
ward meeting the situation is encouraging.
1t is well worth while to give the project
credit for going so far as it does. The
ability to impound large supply of pure
water from mountain streams, at an ele-
vation which would feed the Highland
reservoir by gravity, and the claim that it
can be done at less cost than pumping,
go far toward a complete solution of
the question. In view of the fact that
within the next two decades it will be
necessary for this section to do somethin
in exactly this line, the Indian Creek
water supply, like that of similar mount
ain streams, is fact of vital value to
half million people.
The points in which the project appears
to fall short of the full measure of future
needs are those of capacity and organiza-
ton. When the manufacturing center of
Western Pennsylvania goes to the noun
tains for its supply it must settle the
question for all time. 1t must have
supply that will meet all future growth of
population, and it must have an organlza-
ton up to the standard of the coming
century. Seventy-fve million gallons
daily, the capacity estimated by the
engineers report, is about adequate for
present population; but it will not be suffi-
cient for the population of 1910. AS the
scheme is capable of double reinforce
ment, by pumping water for manufactur-
ing purposes from the rivers, and by
possible doubling of the mountain supply,
this objection is not fatal
But the question of organization is a
more serious one. The experience of this
section in corporate water service has not
been happy one. 1t is possible that a
corporation might be put on the basis of
efficient service and reasonable charges,
but observation will be likely to produce
a small amount of faith in its probability.
Beyond that, the ownership Of the water
shed whence this supply comes is a vital
matter. 1t may do to rely for the present
on the fact that there is no mining or
manufacturing and but little agriculture
in the district, but it will not do to rely on
it for the entire future. There must be
authority to control the drainage and sani-
tation of such section; to keep large
share of it in forest and to prevent the
conditions which cherish disease germs
This power can only be left in the hands
of the State or of some public ownership.
1t has been demonstrated in the ease of
the Croton watershed to be an essential in
the complete solution of the water problem.
Every such proposition contributes to
the store of public knowledge on the sub
ject While it may be doubtful if the
water supply of Pittsburg will be entrusted
to the Western Water Company, there is
no doubt that the project has many points
in it worthy of public study.