The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-08-29
NEWARK'S VAST THIRST
Her Officials Devising Ways to
Better Her Water
Supply.
Specia. to the Jerscn Ctr Nears.

NEWARK, Aug. %, 1Sss.-Though the
much-talked-of communication from the
East Jersey Water Company regarding a
modification of the water contract has
not yet materialized the member of the
Board of Works are considering the adj
visibility of adding another string to
their bow. so that in the event of a con-
tingency the city would not have to
make n concessions in order to get an
increased water supply. AS is well
Known the water contract gives the city
he right to draw q, $4,000 0 gallons per
day. and no more. It has been demon
strated that on some occasions more than
this amount is required, but the East
Jersey Water Company has put its foot
down, so to speak, on the city exceeding
the contract allowance.
1t has been minated by pretty respon-
sible parties that the water company
would meet the city on the question of
Immediately increasing the supply. pro-
yided there was a chance of getting an
extension of time that would give the
corporation control of the surplus water
for a period of years after 1900. Whether
the Board of Works would consider such
- t10tOrtA*H4f A. a 9aCSAiOA aWi3lLl lLE
commissioners do not care to answer at
present, but they all admit that they
would be better satisfied If the city a
some source from which it could secure
a su@emental supply until September
"a, 1900.
After that the works would belong to
the city. and the officials could then
dictate terms. they say. Speaking of the
future. President Stainsby. OF the Board
of Works, said yesterday that ne was
opposed to modifying the water contract
in the slightest degree until the city takes
control of the works.
When that time comes" Mr.. Stainsby
e On to say, I'VE will have a plant
that VIII furnish far more water thar we
can use and pipe lines Thai will carry
u. 600, 900 gallons, when We are entitled
to only 56.000;000. ! think it would be a
of water go 10 waste every day, and
rather thar have anything ike that [ be-
lieve the city should sell the surplus.
gnde gts OUT 4 oontracs n W ies c anssSae sen # 70 9
specified few. and that would leave, the
East Jersey Water Company as our only
customer. std IL f @s e eon,a sell e t ne
city had a plentiful supply l. don't see
why we should not Obtain revenue in
that way
~ RlC@SA3t C. u tAAS ~ fb04FOfNAf
and the possible drought before 1900, are
engrossing the attention of Mr.. Stainsby,
Commissioner Van Duyne. Chairman of
the Water Department. and City Engineer
Sherrerd. The officials have talked over
the subject frequently of late, and during
one Of the discussions the suggestion of
using the old driven wells at the Belle
vile pumpsng station for an emergency
was offered. These wells were sunk
by the old Aqueduct Board in 1881, al
which time it was confidently hoped that
enough spring water would be secured
at tlAst point to supply. the eity's needs.
But 100000 or 100000 gallons were
yielded py the numerous wells, however.
and as the river had to be drawn on for
the balance of the supply needed, the
wells were finally. abandoned entirely.
Now 1t is deemed prudent to at least
have an examination of the wells made.
with a view of learning their capacity
and determining IL In an emergency
they would furnish 100000 or 1900. o00 gal
Ions a day for such times as the daily
consumption goes beyond the maximum
contract amount. The water when used
was pure. and 1t was argued that If the
supplemental supply can be secured in
this way. when absolutely necessary, the
city will have no need of looking for fa-
vors at the hands of the East Jersey
Nyata~ CQfpnaru