New-York tribune., 1902-12-04
THE RECKLESS WASTE OF WATER.

The commission appointed by the Mayor to
report upon the available sources of water
supply will devote equal attention. as he has
announced to the subject of waste and the
best means of stopping it. But we are glad TO
see that the City Club. believing that this is
matter which requires immediate attention. mas
addressed to the Mayor an earnest letter ASKING
him to give a public hearing at which It may
ne shown that other cities have not found It
difficult to Dreyent q similar loss of water, and
that the methods which they have employed
can be applied here with equal success. Com
missioner Monroe, replying for the Mayor, pro-
poses that before a public meeting is arranged
a committee Of the City Club should confer
with him and the chief engineer Of his depart
ment in order to learn what steps are now be-
ing taken to correct q serious evil. OF course
there is no objection to that, and It is crafty
ing to hear that the Department of Water
Supply has already acted, though the Commits
sioner does not tell what he has done.
There have been some reprehensible efforts
in recent years-efforts not unrelated TO the
Ramapo iob-to create a panic on the subject
of the water supply; but no intelligent citizen
thinks that preparations to meet future re-
uuirements have been begun too soon, II, III
deed. they were not deferred too long. The
assertion of the City Club, based on report
made by engineers to the Merchants Associa-
ton two years ago, is that year hence the
full capacity of all present sources OF supply
will be required TO meet the demand. and the
city will consequently be Just entering
period of shortage. The situation will he re-
leyed for a time when the new Croton dam is
ready for use but that work, which might
have been finished several years ago. will prob
ably not be finished for several years to come.
1t seems necessary to conclude, therefore. that
at the present rate of waste deficiency in the
near future is probable, and that one or two
dry seasons would convert the probability into
q certainty. In view of these facts 1t Is ex-
asperating TO reflect that vast amount OF
water is constantly running through the sewers
out to sea without performing any service
wbatsoever--an amount so large that If it were
saved there would be enough TO meet all actual
requirements until additional supplies should
become available.
Estimates of the waste naturally differ IF
it is % per cent TO stop it would have the
effect Of increasing the present supply by one
fourth-that is, the supply would be ample
for population one-fourth larger. and would
suffice for number of years at the city's estab-
lfshed rate Of growth. But the waste is prob
ably much more than % per cent. 1t has been
reckoned as high as so per cent sand 40 per
cent is considered a conservative estimate by
engineers whose opinions are entitled to respect
We see no reason to suppose that the loss OF
water here is smaller In proportion than that
which was proved in various English cities,
where the introduction of effectual regulations
and appliances has actually saved one-half of
the supply, or. to put it in another way has
doubled the amount at command for legitimate
uses. All these facts have lnng been known
Ill.
has been done to check a reckless extravaganza.
at least until very lately. If, as he leads us to
hope, Commissioner Monroe is now really grap
ping intelligentiy with a wanton abuse, he
deserves large measure OF respect and graft
tude