The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1901-12-31
SAN FRANCISCO WATER SUPPLY.

water. Take for illustration the CITY of Portland
Oregon, which formerly took its water from the
Willamette River and exhibited large death rate
from typhoid fever. Through the energy and public
spirit of her citizens this source was abandoned for
stream having its rise in the SHOWS of Mount Hood
and taken from point above the chance of pollu-
tion thus securing ideal supply OF the softest and
purest water, than which there is not finer in the
world. Since the introduction of this water typhoid
fever has disappeared from the city Seattle followed
this example, abandoning Lake Washington in its
rear and going to the mountains west of that city,
whence it draws the needed quantity of the best
water which is beyond the liability of contamination
vancouver has a similar supply taken from glacier
lake nestled in the mountains lying to the north Of it
This water question now confronts San Francisco
and 1t cannot be put aside The last three years of
drought have demonstrated that the available re-
sources Immediately tributary to this city have prac-
hcally reached their limit Lobos Creek has recently
been cut off by the city authorities as unsafe for use
and 1t can only be question OF short time before
the same course must be taken with Lake MERGED,
which is already menaced by the growth of popula-
ton in its proximity. 1t is now serious question
whether the time for such action has not arrived Out
side those places the present supply of San Fran
cisco is above the average for cities of its SIZE but
the water of Lake MERGED is mingled with the rest
in use of course the whole is liable to become vitiaed
at any time.
1t is well known that during the last two years the
Spring Valley Company has been severely strained to
meet the usual demands upon it. The reservoirs in
San Mateo County are now at a very low point, the
lowest for years. and another dry winter will the
powers of the company to its utmost. These facts
published because every resident of the city is
vitality interested in this water question. Every
holder of real estate is directly concerned 1t would
be safe estimate assert that the residence prop
erty of San Francisco and Oakland would be en-
HANGED 10 per cent in value the moment those cities
had assured supply of water from the Sierras
similar to that of Portland and other cities men
toned
Such supply is available The serious question is
TO get the best one. Its selection and acquisition
should be accomplished at the earliest possible date;
not only that the best may be secured but that the
contiguous property necessary to insure it against
contamination for all time may also be obtained be-
fore the cost of the same has greatly increased.
This is not matter for political financial job
berry and the public must take to suppress any
attempt at it. The wrangle lately exhibited between
the Board OF Public Works and the Supervisors
Committee Public Utilities proves that the people
of the city look private enterprise skill and
judgment in this contingency, and not trust such
great enterprise politicians their appontees and
servants. The columns of The Call will be open for
suggestions and discussion upon this subject and it
warns its readers that delay to meet this condi-
ton which confronts us may result in grave conse-
quences.
This paper has particular location to recon-
mend individuals whose interests it seeks to adj
vance If the rich men Of this State are not ready
to invest in this enterprise, then ask the men of
capital in the East come forward with their money
how dor IN o+1,a-
question that such an investment would be good
and its value would increase with the growth of
population
No scheme would be adequate to meet this situation
which not capabeo of eventually meeting the needs
of two millions of people. Let no such mistakes be
made in this instance mark the history of water
supply for Boston, New York and other Eastern
cities but rather build broadly and mindful of the
needs of generations to come after us There is no
occasion for the sacrifice of any existing property
by carrying this project In comparatively
few years there will be a line of suburban villages
and residences all the way from San Francisco to San
Jose The present great need of those now living
along that stretch of country is adequate supply
of good water The Spring Valley Company can
meet that demand and in so doing find use for all if
has to furnish.
A moments reflection upon the subject tends to
make every resident of this city wonder whv if has
been permitted to lie dormant so long It can onv
be explained upon The theory that the business Of
everybody imposes obligation upon any one.
There is nothing which is more conducive to the
comfort and enjoyment aside from considerations of
health, than abundance Of pure water such as the
mountains of this State furnish of the very best
quality, fresh from living perpetual fields of ice and
snow. There be comparison between suc1,
article and the catchments of rain impounded in
artificial reservoirs which are constantly being pol
luted with mud and other foreign matter and cboked
with growths of weed and fungi.
The matter of few millions Of dollars should cut
no figure in case like this. The one aim must be
to get the best supply at cost For every dollar
so spent the value OF our property would be en-
HANGED tenfold to say nothing Of the health and
pleasure resulting from its use. The Spring Valley
works have suficed, IN way for their day. but thew