The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-09-26
EAST JERSEYS PLANS.
Since the Water Company Sc
cured Split Rock Pond
There is Much Speeu-
lation.

There Is more or less speculation in
Newark ard Jersey City as to what the
East Jersey Water Company proposes to
do with its latest acquisition in the line
Of water rights. A deal has been re-
Gently eonsummated by the terms of
which the company has acquired Split
Rock Pond. a sheet of clear water near
Boonton. The price said to have been
paid is $4,000, but rumor also has il that
several Of the directors Of the company
formerly held a part interest in the pond,
either directly or indirectly.
Split Rock Pond lies just outside the
Pequannock watershed. 1t is divided
from the Pequannock Valley by a low
ridge and Its natural outlet is toward the
Rockaway River. At present 1t is quite
shallow, but it is so situated that by
erecting a forty foot dam between the
hills at the outlet, which, by the way.
are not far apart, the pond could be CON
verted into a storage reservoir. with an
estimated capacity of about 1000 600, 900
gallons.
Newark. the Evening News, of that
city. says, would have no claim whatever
on this water unless the East Jersey
water Company found it necessary to
divert 1t in order to make up the daily
supply OF 5000. 900 gallons which the city's
contract says the ~Pequannock watershed
shall supply. As the present indications
point to a suficient yield from the Pc
quannock Valley, ii is not believed by
local officials that the company intends
70 send the water to this city. Should
the corporation find it to its own advan-
tage to use the water in the immediate
future, however, the flow from Split Rock
Pond can readily be diverted into the
Pequannock River at Charlotteburg by
lowering the head of a little stream
that feeds the pond and connecting the
new channel with Timber Greek, which
flows to the ~Peouannock. These altera-
lions could be made at a moderate out
lay and in comparatively short time.
Another plan which could be pursued
by the company. if the water was re-
CURED, and one which seems to be con-
sidered. would be to make Split Rock
Pond and the water of Stone House Brook
the basis of an Independent water sup
ply, which could be carried through mains
and with the aid Of one or two reser-
voirs TO Butler, without entailing a very
great expense. Enough water could be
secured from this section Of the Rocka-
way watershed and a portion of the
Wynockie watershed on the other side
of Newark's source Of supply, to place
the East Jersey Company in a position
to supply Montclair. Passaic, Paterson
or even Jersey City with water independ-
emit of the PeQuannock watershed.
1t is not altogether an improbabiiity
lnat the East Jersey Company will in the
future construct an intake reservoir near
Butler, and II satisfactory arrangements
can be made, supply either of the above
municipalities from that point, From But
Ter to Belleyille the ompany owns a right
OF way parallel to that decided TO New
ark, SO n great obstacle to a new con-
duit is already out of the way. Then again
the pipe and valves of the Jersey City
conduit. through which that city is sup
Piled from the surplus at BelleyiIie, is
arranged as if in anticipation of It's being
connected with a conduit other than those
already laid.
Jersey city y drawing its supply
through Newark's mains now and the
former city still seems to be a great
ways from a permanent supply. Newark's
present draught averages nearly $4,000, 900
gallons daily and Jersey City's demands
are increasing. Under the circumstances.
and allowing for the natural increase in
the demands of both cities, it will only
be a matter OF a year or two when the
total draught will exceed so. 900. 900 gall
Ions per day. Technically, the East Jersey
Water Company has no right to more
than 50,000.0 700 gallons a day from the
P~equannock watershed. To exceed that
amount the corporation would take
chances OF running afoul of damage suits
for divertfng water beyond their charter
allowances. In view of the latter fact
there are some of the local officials who
hold to the view that the company has
secured Spit Rock Pond as a sort of an
anchor to eindward to fall back upon in
case an emergency should arise in the
fraar frrf7ya nv ~ hold a. Rhor - 11,.17
have something to work upon for pros
pective contracts.