The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-10-05

rcd,ous work Of NJ any Years Il Nov A.
n,of sompist.d.
The great drainage canal. whicr IL u
carry awav the sewage from the CITY
OF Mexico to "A point outside OF Inc
basin. in which II lies. has at lcnSI
been practically completed.
Besides the canal proper. which Is TWEEN
ty-nne and half miles long. tunne
has been cut through the mountain
north OF the city six and one quar'es
miles IN length. The present works nave
been carried on continuously since iSsS. 4
"A total cost OF $4,000 90. PRESIDENT p'az
in his recent message 10 the Mexican
Corles. announced that everything wa'
complete. except small portion OF tns
masonry lining OF the tunnel.
The Valley OF Mexico Is an Immense
basin. with a mean altitude of las feet.
and an area OF 2,2oo square miles. In this
valley are six considerable lakes--Chalco
Xochimilco. Texcoco. San Christobal. Nal
tocsn. and IumpangO. There IL no natura
outlet for the water which flows int
these lakes from the surrounding hilH
and valley. and all of them, except Lake
Texooco lie from four to thirteen feel
above the level OF the pavement OF the
city.
Originally the City OF Mexico stood In
the midst OF a lake OF the same name.
but the waters gradually receded. leav-
ins the city on dry land. The dlm.nutioT
OF the rainfall owing to the cutting down
of the forests and numerous assures due
to earthquakes. are supposed to be the
causes OF the curtaiment OF the pcrma.
nent water area OF the valley.
As far back ms 1907 canal and tunnel
were begun TO divert the waters OF the
Cuantitian river from Lake Zumpangc
over the edge OF the basin, so as TO reach
tide water. This project was not finally
completed until l7N at ar estimated
total cost OF ss.0Ooeo0.
During the present century the prob
lem has been how TO carry OF the sew-
age of the city OF Mexico Although
from IT'S altitude and the purity OF It's
atmosphere II ought 10 be one OF tho
healthiest cities in the world. II has an
average annual death rate OF 10 per 90
or almost double that OF New YORK.
The new drainage canal starts AT the
San Lazaro gate Of the city and runs
twelve miles I'm northeastcrly direction.
partly through Lake Tcxcoco. This
portion of the canal has width of lsi0
feet at the bottom and a depth OF water
OF AZ feet, flowing with n mean velocity
of Is feet per second. The second sec
ton. which is IA miles long turns moro
TO the north. IL has width of q
feet AT the bottom and depth not eN-
ceeding So feet of water. according TO
the season. flowing with a mean velocity
of 2.Gf feet per second.
The tunnel, which begins at the end or
the second section. is Ii miles long.
with clear archway OF five feet above
the highest level of the open canal. IL
has Il fall Of . feet. giving Cow OF
water OF 10 feet per second. rho
outlet Of the tunnel VIII therefore b. >.
feet below the main plaza OF the city
OF Mexico.
The sides and bottom Of the tunnel are
lined with hasalt building stone, coated
with cement. The roof is arched with
brick.
The present sewerage system OF the
City of Mexico Is connected with Lake
Texcoco. As long as the lake is low,
this works very wen. but I'm the rainy
season the take rises, forcing back tho
sewage into the city. which spreads ma
laria and gastric fever amoIg the IN
The new canal Will run in
OF Lake Texcoco while its
level IL low: when the lake rises, tho
surplus waters viii be turned into tho
ANAL by means OF a lock.
When the new canal Is In working or
Ter 1t will lower the death rate OF the city
Of Mexico so mater ally that II Is likely 10
become one OF the greatest winter re-
sorts on the continent-New York Times.