The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-09-18

Yesterday was spent by the board Of
health, sanitary committee OF councils
and newspaper representatives on q
visit of inspection to the dams and
streams Of the Scranton Gas and Water
company. Superintendent Robert
Reeves was along. as was Superin-
tendsnt John B. Fish, OF the Provl-
dence Gas and Water company.
The high service reservoir at the
head of No. plane. above Dunmore.
was first visited. This reservoir con-
sists of a double dam and holds 1S,00O =
900 gallons OF water. 1t Is fsd from
the Stafford Meadow brook and supplies
only the high points in the city, in the
neighborhood Of Clay avenue and Gam.
mons hill on the West Side.
No dam at Elmhurst, which is the
main resource Of the city. receives the
overflow from the dam a mile above.
The upper one receives the water fr ON
the Bearing brook stream, but at pres
ent the water is not used. 1t Is fer
menting and not until it settles will
the gates be opened. The upper dam,
or Curtis reservoir. was stocked. four
years ago with 10000 California trout,
thus insuring an agreeable absence of
animal matter. which serves as food to
the piscatorial dwellerA Along the
stream above the dams there are no
causes from which might arise con.
tamination of the water.
THAT ELMHURsT TANNERf.
pa1or, NJ dap, IN kha ,,,o;n atroak
In Elmhurst stands tannery, which
WAS operated years before the reser-
voirs were built. This is the only OBJ
jeetionable feature along the property
Of the water company.
1t is case OF difference of opinion
whether the tannery need be dreaded.
The waste water when 1t leaves the
mill runs through q lime filter. emp
ties into trench and flows half mile
through soft purifying soil before emp.
tying into the creek. Aud then this
waste water is but the escape from the
supply which feeds the engines. The
naussating refuse common to all tan
nsries is confined in cement
ed cavity with no means of access to
the stream, and is hauled away or sold
to the farmers for fertilizing purposes.
Superintendent Reeves explained that
the Gas and Water company had un-
successfully endeavored to purchase
the tannery and have it removed. not
because it befouls the water, but to
satisfy the people.
While lunch, furnished by Supsrin.
tendent Reeves, was being enjoyed,
pleasant visit was had from Dr.. Bate
son, health officer of the Elmhurst
board of health He conveyed the
cheering tidings that the typhoid epi-
demic in that village was matter Of
past history.
Leaving Elmhurst, the heads of
the horses were turned toward
Stafford Meadow valley, FIVE miles
away. After this long journey through
the autumnal wildwood, around bend
in the road the sight spread out for the
party's gaze was the splendid new res
ervoir at Williams bridge. The stream
which feeds this dam flows from Its
source, between mountains and over a
rocky bed, as pure as when
the Indians roamed In the for
est, and it emptie5 almost
as pure as the rain from
the clouds. This is the dam from which
the high service reservoir at No. 8 is
fed. 1t is the pursst water that is
furnished to the city. Down in the
deep basin in front Of the reservoir
bubbles up pure spring, the water Of
which is impregnsted with healthful
taste of iron ore. and to this Superin-
tendent Reeves brought the Nom bers
of the party to qusff from it and form
an idea OF the quality Of the water in
the reservoir, which Is the same
Leaving this body Of water the party
halted at the place known as "The
Burned Bridge half mile below.
sTUPENDoUs UNDERTAKING.
At this point Superintendent Reeves
brought the carriages to a standstill
and explained the purpose Of the Gas
and water company, relative to the
proposed new reservoir
A natural basin covering 1850 acres,
better known rs the "eli Hitchcock
swamp will be made the basin of O
new reservoir. the capacity OF which
will be nearly 1000, 600. 600 gallons OF
water II is thirty feet lower than the
Williams bridge reservoir, on the same
stream. and is seventy feet above the
high ssrvics reservoir. The work OF
building it will probably begin in,Jan-
uary and be finished in September. A
tunnel 1900 feet long will be bored
through the mountain to connect the
main with the high service dams, and
this supply will be furnished to all
parts of the city.
This territory adjoins the Dagan
farm over which 80 much litigation
has sprung. The land is now being
cleared and drained. When the reser
voir is built it will cover up the road.
way, but the water company intends
to build stone arch over the spillway
and contruet another road around the
banks Of the dam.
The No. reservoir on the Stafford
Meadow creek was not visited, because
Of the impending darkness. A trip
will be made to it in q week or so.
With that exception the annual tour
of the board Of health was finished.
The expense Of the trip is hundred
fold repaid to the taxpayers from the
benefit in pure water derived.
Captain Burke and Food Inspector
Thomas took along q sample of the
| Elmhurst water for analysis.