The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-28
WATER SUPPLY AND CANALS.
Comprehensive Plan Advocated by a
citizen OF Rochester.

From a Later 10 Mayor Mcclellan.
HoNoRED SIR | have been greatly inter-
cstcd in the report Of the special water
commission to secure an additional water
supply The report recommends tunnel to
the Catshill Mountains capable OF delivering
200. OJO. ESQ gallons daily at a cost including
reservoirs. of 500 001 .OOu. and further recon-
meuCs that two additional tunnels be con-
struoted. al these aggregating IN cost s27j.-
oG0.OJO aud capable OF delivering 10 New
York city 9D1OoO.OOo gallons OF water daily
While | DO not wish TO crticisc The above
report yet | doubt very much whether the
rainfall on the proposed watershed is sufficient
to supply the above amount Of water and es-
pcCialiy so IN dry seasons. ] therefore make
the following suggestion TO you as Mayor OF
New ork. for ! feel myself loosely identified
with your city on account Of tulness reid-
tlons which cali me there quite frequently.
Tho plan would be to take water from Lake
Eric by a series Of conduits using the pressure
et the outlet OF said coBduts to turn turbines
connected with dynamos In producing cleo
trio power. then dischaTgng into the present
reservoi TO be used for drinking purposes
LAKE Erie = j62 feet above tAe sea level De-
Quoting cl0 feet for a reservoir would give a
p.cszure at tho outlet Of about l65 square
POUNDS per square lncn. : 3G-lncb conduit
would deliver 81. 900 600 20 10000 ODO Pa lions
I er day and a series of niue or ten Conuuits
from Lake Erie 10 supply reservoir would
dcliy or as much as the single tunnel proposed
10 the { Nl~hlH MOUNTAINS
The cost Of constructing nine conduts IN a
direct line or nearly So from Lake Erie 10 Said
eupply reservoir would be in round numbers
sg7 600 900 The above estimate OF delivery
pnd cost is based on So-iGch conduit which
has ALREADY been CONSTRUCTED and Is now IN use.
and ! should be pleased 20 give YOU further
details II YOU 30 desire II the above sugees-
lions were carried out. IL wo' II give New
York ily pure and VI oeSome drinking water
or used for lighting the city and would. no
doubt. pay good interest on such investment
The proposed barge canal to be constructed
by the taxpayers OF New York state for the
benefit Of the several barge Transportation
companies now Operating on tho Great Lakes.
which viii cause Buffalo and New York city
TO lose q large share OF their grain and freight
business by allowing barges to 20 from the
out beng handled az Buffalo and New York
city. should he abandoned. Would IL not be
possible with the assistance Of your represent
tatiyes ia the LEGISLATURE TO divert the money
appropriated for the benefit OF these barge
corporations, and have II used for the benefit
i e s yoteT Nv yE1 S9d lael5 ises
with pure and wholesome drinking water
Local sources Of supply are often contain
mated producing cpidemics OF typhoid and
other diseases. Many Of such sources are be-
coming inadequate owing to tho increased
population. The policy al depopulatiug coun-
ties or sections Of counties and Of enaCtng
legislation which clouds the title OF farmers
and contrary 10 the intent Of cur Constitll-
ton II viii also check and discourage the
development OF the agricultural districts OF
this state.
The New York state Government could
aud should construct water system through
out the State. il would be a step In the right
direction Of an ideal plan OF STATE govern
ment and one IN which the Empire State should
take the lead. il could be easily done By usinR
the present bed OF the Erie Canal Ii would !
require little or no eNcayating 20 lay a series {
Of cohduiis from Like Eric 10 Albany aud
thence on 10 New York CITY. with branches /
radiatlng 70 the north. south est ard I
wet from such main supply 50 as to furnish [
cities ana villages which are not on the line OF
said canal with rur' water. The cost OF con-
s'ructing SUCK a water supply system al thi. Z
time il worth considering 10y nc State Gov
eminent
In many cities and villa yes electric power
could be obtained from this source before il !
was used for drinking purposes A turbine |
connected on the end Of said conduit would ]
not contAminate the water hut would have h T
tendency 10 aerlte and purify ~ The cost Of
maintaining such system by the State would /
Ice much less than the annual cost OF maintain.
ing the present canal. n either OF the above I
suggestions meets with your approval. ! would D
DE glad 10 have YOU tg'a some action toward .
ne ~ ig..tfgT7t WATSON BnowN.