New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-30
STATE WATER RESOURCES
SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION OF PURITY
AND SUPPLY BY UNITED STATES
HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE

Washington Nov. % (SpeciaD.-An abundant
supply of unpolluted water not only for greater
NeW-York but for the entire Empire State, ana
one adequate to meet the demands not only Of
the present but OF future centuries, is the ulti-
mate object of a great scientific investigation
now being conducted by the United States
3{ydrographic Office. with the able assistance Of
auch notable scientific experts as can be found
On the STATS OF Cornell University. Rochester
University and the Rensselaer, Polytechnic In
sltute, OF Troy.
Numerous measurements surveys and ohsor-
y..tious of the watercourscs OF Ncw-York state
have already been conducted by the Hydro
graphic Office and on file In washington
The work now in progress consists chl'hy
OF it.uumcrabIc analyses made with "A Vie" L"
..s,ertaiuinE those points at which unpoilu'ed
water may be procured and Of establishing bases
Which in future work shall bo regarded as nor
NAL for. ii must be known practically no nat
ural water is chemically pure. bacterial and
Plant life and organic matter being inFarla"S
present in varying proportions.
Because Of the impracticabilty OF transport
ing to the government laboratories in Washing
tor the vast number Of samples which must be
examined in order TO render the present invest-
cation comprehensive. the services Of the
educational institutions referred to have been
called upon and have been cheerfuly contrib
uted. To Cornell University has been conhded
the examination OF the waters in and flowing
from the chain Of lakes which includes Oneida,
Skaneateles Cayuga Seneca, Crooked and
Geneva lakes also the headwaters of the Sus-
quehanna observations being taken at Port
land and Corning. Analyses Of the surface
waters at Binghamton are already on hand,
having been made at Mount Prospect Labora-
tory by Professor George g Whipple In most
instances the analyses being made bimonth-
~ and Professor Il. NJ. Chamot professor of
sanitary chemistry at Cornell has charge of the
work
The observations made in the Susquehanna
are something of a divergence from the chief
object OF the New-YOrk examination, being
made as a basis for ascertaining the injury done
by the waste from the coal mines, which have
discharged such quantities OF coal dust and
other products into the river that at certain
points the culm is fifteen feet deep. curtailing
the normal power of the watercourse to carry
off surplus water, and having caused injurious
Goods, in Wilkesbarre itself
Rochester University, through Professor
Charles Wright, is conducting an examination
of the Genesee River, which furnishes strik-
ing Illustration OF the pollution which may be
attributed to single city. the river being vlrtu-
ally normal above Rochester, but dangerously
impure below that point.
The pollution of the Mohawk River has been
extensively investigated by the New-York State
Board Of Health, whose experts carried their
examination to a point below Albany In 1900
and 1901. In connection with the great Ultra
ton system which Albany is now installing
the work Is being further prosecuted.
If the negotiations now In progress between