The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-03-24

ance and a longer life for the works than
for works using long lines of steel pipe
under high pressure.
vising the Jersey City authorities ! would
certainly advise them to close with you
and l think you should nave the above
facts brought to their attention.
Jersey City is now using over S0,0ov,0Oo
gallons daily, and has used as much as
1000, 900 gallons for several days at a
time. 1t would therefore be good poncy
for them to contract for a supply of TO-
600, 600 gallons rather than for one OF 9u,-
600. 900 gallons, and to offer inducements 10
manufacturing concerns rather than to
drive them away by charging high rates
Respectfully yours,
JOHN G. VAN HORNE.
Copies of the letter were furnished all
the officials and the statements made in
it We're discussed at length by Mr.. Furst
and some other visitors. While the offi-
cials were viewing the Montville Valley
Reservoir site, Engineer Van Horne an
nounced that the salient feature OF the
company's proposition was that in no
particular does it conflict with the rights
or asserted rights of the East Jersey or
Norris Canal Companies in, the waters of
the Rockaway River. Absolutely no lit
igation would arise with either OF these
companies, he declared.
The announcement opened the eyes of
the officials, and Mr.. Van Horne was
piled with questions of all sorts. The
concern he represents, he continued
avoided all possible trouble with the Nor
ris Canal people, for the reason that 1t
did not touch any part of the flow OF
the Rockaway until after the East Jer-
sey and Morris Canal Companies had fin
ished with it.
The Morris Canal Company, he explains
ed, is entitled to so much of the Rock
away as is required for navigation pur-
poses. After that the water is free, and
there is more than enough to give Jer-
sey City all she wants.
The company's plan which is to cost the
city 5000, 600 in the event of purchase,
c-omprehends a drainage area of lSS
square miles. The only reservoir of the
company is in Lower Montville Valley,
where, of course, the intake would be
located. The reservoir, which is a nat
ural one. lying between long ranges OF
mountains, consists of 1900 acres. Trib-
utary to that reservoir, Engineer Van
Horne said, there are ponds, lakes anu
streams, capable of furnishing 1000, 000,0 600
gallons of water daily. The reservoir
would be of sufficient capacity to hold at
all times 12,00O,O 900. 600 gallons or 400 days
supply at the present average daily con-
sumption of $1,000, 900 gallons.
A point in favor of the plan, Mr.. Van
Horne contended, was that it provides
only one reservoir. Mr.. Julius Berger, at
this juncture, remarked that this seemed
a wise plan inasmuch as in the event
of purchase by the city it would cost lit
tie to maintain and police it, as contrast
ed with the cost of maintaining and po-
Icing four or five or perhaps more reser-
voirs.
Some of the ponds, streams and lakes
mentioned as being tributary to the Rock
away, at Montville, by Engineer Van
Horne, were:-Dixon's Pond, Longwood
Valley, Long Beach, Beach Glen, Split
Rock Pond, Green Pond, Lake Denmark
and Shongum Creek.
The elevation of the proposed reservoir
is 23S feet. With that elevation, Mr.. Van
Horne stated, it would be possible to de-
liver water at High Service at a head of
127 feet.
That would require pumping at High
Service, . s~interposed Finance Commission
er Simpson.
TT would responded Mr.. Van Horne.
..but it must be remembered that this
plan is the only one which will keep
your city from having years and years
of expensive litigation which may ulti-
mately result in no contract being made
or water secured from the Rockaway
watershed"
- -.
From Montville to High Service the dis
lance is 201a miles. Of that distance ID
miles would be covered by steel pipe and
for the remaining seven and a half miles
the water would pass through tunnel or
conduit seven feet in diameter. The
idea of tunneling, Mr.. Van Horne said,
was to relieve the terrible pressure on
the pipe. He also stated that passing
the water from pipes into tunnels and
then into pipes again would insure a
free flow. The first tunnel would be UNI
der Hook Mountain. That would be one
mile long. The second would be under
First and Second Mountains and would
be six miles long.
When questioned about the dam h a
would have to be built at Montville, the
engineer declared the plans called for one
which would involve the expenditure OF
$3.50. 600. He explained that it is proposed
to make the depth of the water in the
reservoir so feet. To do that a dam
would have to be built having a founda-
ton at least 70 feet deep. The whole
plant could be finished, he said, in two
years, the time required by the specifica-
tons.
The company's price Of $4,000. 600 is for
only a single plant capable of delivering
80, 900, 600 gallons daily. For a double pipe
system, with a guaranteed carrying ca
pacity of 100000 0 gallons a day, its ask
ing price is $9,200, 600.
While discussing he plan generally.
Mayor Hoos asked what provision the
company proposed making toward dispos-
ing OF the sewage and all communicating
influences above the reservoir site.
Engineer vermeule showed a map of
the locality that Dover, Boonton and
Rockaway would have to be guarded
against. Engineer Van Horne produced
drawings showing that the company
would build int%ercepting sewers from
Dover to a point a mile below he in
take.
To members of the compan Mayor
Hoos and President Boltwood of the
Street and Water Board remarked hat
if the city is to get a new supply of wa
ter it should get one which give a water
shed sufficient to provide for all future
contingencies, even though a little more
had 10 be paid for such a plant. The
company's pipe line will enter Jersey City