Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-12-12
DOUBLES IN EIGHT YEARS.
Another Phase of the Water Question That Needs Serious Consideration-The Needs of the Future.
NUMBER TWO.

NUMBER TWO.
 If the only reason for looking west for that partial supplement to our water supply be the fear of interfering with the interests of the manufacturers on Mad river, might it not be possible for the city and manufacturers to come to an understanding, whereby the city would undertake to meet their wants in dry seasons with water from the Nauga- tuck river, or even entirely replace their supply in the east from the Nauga- tuck While not pretending to be an engineer nor yet presuming to dictate, but prompted by what seems to be for the public interest the writer would re- spectfully suggest, could there be suffi- cient height obtained by a dam, or canal, sluice, or by tail race branching from the river and making pond at or near the first bridge above Waterville, where the Naugatuck railroad crosses the Naugatuck river, to give gravity flow through a conduit running from there down to West Main street and thence to Scovill's mills, part of this water to be supplied to Scovill's mills for their use, and the rest to be let into Mad river for the Web shop, Benedict & Burnham, etc? If necessary main could be run to the Spoon shop on Silver street and the East Brass mill.
 If a sufficient height for a gravity flow could not be obtained, could not the water at the point above mentioned be made to work a turbine wheel or other hydraulic power that would force or pump tlse water into the conduit. If such could be done it would be still better to pump or force the water into a reservoir on one of the neighboring hills and thence by it's own gravity it would flow not only into the lower part Nf fhn V1oilIc h11t tn tho hiohnct Hn0ro On it's way through West Main street and East Main street it could be sold to those along the line, who would wish to use it for stables, closets, hydraulic power, mills, such as the Pin shop, Blake 6 Johnson's: for sprinkling the streets, for hydrants, for fire purposes and for flushing sewers, and thus it might be made to pay for tbe expense.
 After time if it was found profitable to do so a branch main could be laid from Exchange place and supply power and be used for the same purposes as on West and East Main street, to the mills on Canal or Meadow streets, and the Watch shop could be supplied by a branch from Bank street. By continu- ing the main on Bank street to the west of the Naugatuck depot the Farrell foundry, Plume 6 Atwood, Holmes, Booth 6 Haydens and places in Brook lyn could be supplied. If found profit able to do so a branch main could be run from Exchange place up North Main street for the mills and houses in that direction and also through South Main street. By a reduction in the price compensation could be made for the expense of making connections. :
 What a security it would be in case of fire to have our main business streets where property is so valuable, on which are the greater number of our churches, the City hall and the mills, protected by the abundant resources of the Nauga- tuck. By having hydrants placed at easy distances along these streets there would be a considerable abatement in insurance. Some might think that it would not pay to thus convey water to the mills on East Main, Bank, Canal, Meadow and North Main streets, but we find by the report of the board of water commissioners in 1890 that the mills consumed and paid for one-fifth of the water used that year in the city and no doubt the demand will increase every year. Besides, the water from the Nau- gatuck would save the use of our potable water so much, and extend it's availa- bility for long time.
 If that natural basin which has been placed at our doors by providence-the tract north of West Main street, be- tween the Manhan and the Watertown road-were secured, without much doubt it would supply sufficient water to work a turbine wheel efficiently powerful for the purpose of furnishing an abundance of water to any reservoir that might be made on the highest ele- vation around the city. The day may citizens of Waterbury will have reason to regret our apathy if this land be not secured for the storage of water, before being built on and thereby put outside the city's reach.
 One more suggestion. There is general desire throughout the state that our principal rivers running through populous districts be preserved from pollution, even on sanitary grounds. There is q vigorous effort being made in Hartford to remedy the pollution of Park river. All the towns on the Naugatuck below us would heartily join in any movement that would put an end to the pollution of the river. There is even now a suit pending against Waterbury to prevent our sewage and slush from being thrown into the Naugatuck. If there was an act presented to the next legislature forbidding any pollution or contamina- tion of the Naugatuck and it's tributa-
 
 would be no opposition. Above us there are only Thomaston, Torrington, Winchester and Norfolk on the Nauga- tuck. It does not flow through Win sted. Winchester and Norfolk are but small places and have no sewage system yet. At Norfolk there are but few peo- pie residing near the river. The princi- pal pert of the population reside on the high lands away from the river, and here are but two or three small mills. It might be easy for them to divert the slush from the mills into some valley or porous tract of land, as Meriden pro. poses to do with her sewage and slush. A similar mode might be adopted in Winchester and perhaps in Torrington and Thomaston.. Then we would have the water of the Naugatuck | fit to use for drinking and for all purposes and, as before said, if the tract of land between the Manhan and the Watertown road was secured there could be hydraulic power provided sufficient to pump or force all the water the city would require to the highest