The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-12-30
TIE WATER QUESTION
Report of The Joint Committee Now Ready
For the Councils.
IT MAY CONTAIN SOME SURPRISES.
fn the Way OF Recommendations
Though Its Details VIII Not Asc
Until II Is Read iIciorc the
Proper Bodics-A Joint Session
Urged to Take Immediate steps.

With the recent storms. snow, rain
ana wind. the public has been lullcd in
10 peaceful forgetfulness of the water
famine scare. and since the last Joint
inee,inE of the special committee from
the Councils and the Water Board, little
has been said on the subject in outside
circles.
This meeting, Il will be recalled. left
the matter In stutu quo. so to speak. In
n Few words, nothing was decided on, no
Steps were taken, and no plans were
made beyond ordering n further invcs-
LEGATION. The only really definite action
was the turning down the ganEwell
proposition of Capt. Blivcns.
THE FIELD IN PROSPECT
The committee had II broad field to
select from. even with the Eangwcll
project buried. There was the ever
present contingency of Lake Drum
mond; there was the chance Of n bar
gain with Portsmouth: there was the
scheme to utilize harbor watcr for
street II fire purposes. ana there
was Northwest river. This latter was
visited by The committee. each and cv-
cry one Of whom expressed himself as
nightly pleased with that point rs 4
source of supply. Indeed. a report To
this effect was formulated, and n recon-
mendat'on favcring Northwest river
would undoubtedly have been made had
actual scientific and eNpert iata been
on hand at the time. Further action
along this particular line was post
puned. it was understood, until this
data could be secured. Meantime some
close figuring was done on the probable
cost of the work. ana the joint commit
Tee adjourned for further Investigation!
THE RESULT.
The result of this further !nvestiro-
ton is necessarily something of a riddle
until tho Council meeting next Tuesday,
when Il report will be made This re-
port has already been drawn up. and is
n N"luninous document, covering the
subjcc. in all its manifold aspects.
pf course, just what recommendations
VIII be made is Il matter at which tho
Councils WEI get the first whack. but IL
Is said that in this report Northwest
river does not receive the extended ana
favorable attention which was expect
cd.
1T is, however, stated that The COM
mittec has examined and is fuvorably
impressed with Il small lake embraced
III a tract about Il half mile beyond Lake
Lawson. The present SQUIRE Of supply.
This body of water, while small. is
thought to be amply large To supply all
requirements ana i has been thor
ourhlN examined, ever sounded. Its
waters have been analysed and found
to he of the proper purity. Its rcarness
To The city and present water works
would also seem 10 indicate an argu-
mcnt in It's favor.
a $4,000 OPTION.
If this water is recommended, as ii
IS said il will be, the news will come in
the nature of a~-surprisc To many. and
as u matter of fact very little has been
%l!l about II, SO little. indeed. thai II
WIS with something Of Il start that the
information. WAS received that n certain
prominent and e~nterpris.nE Suffolk gem
t!eman n "droupej' 10 HE idea ANA
taken out a $20,oCo option on tho prop
"rtH. which could ave been purchased.
SO II is stated, six months ago for 5000.
or very little more. However. $2p. 00u is
now the figure. ana this is what the city
VIII probably be asked 20 pay.
the report will also urge an immcd.-
at" Joint session Of the Councils to con-
slider prompt acton in the matter OF
S"curin@ further water facilities for Nor
FOLK. The present supply is at its low
est ehb and is al1los: exhausted. II
therefore is urged That something should
| be done at once.