New-York tribune., 1906-07-31
REMINDERS ABOUT WATER.

Mr.. Fuertes's report TO the Merchants AssO-
citation on water waste and it's reduction con-
tains many valuable facts and figures and a
wealth OF practical suggestion for the safeguard
ing Of one OF the most vital interests OF the
metropolis. Best OF all, perhaps are his terse
reminders Of the actual situation and OF the
evident possibilities OF the near future, and of
the need. therefore OF a consistent and ener-
getic policy on the part of the city govern
ment.
The cOpiOus rains of the present summer have
probably ban1shed from most minds all fears
Of water famine. II is to be assumed that
there is now no danger of such a catastrophe
tnls year and there has been none for several
years past. These fortunate conditions should
not however be permitted to generate in re-
sponsible minds a false sense of security Mr.
Fuertes puts the whole case in a nutshell when
he says: The flow of the CrotOn River has been
"abOve the average for several years 1t must,
therefore, soon fall below" That is sound
sense, which 10 reasonable man can gainsay
What may IT mean to the city?
During these years Of plenty Manhattan and
The Bronx have been using more than the
average available product Of the Croton water
shed That is, they have been using all that
has been available of the extraordinary supply
If few years hence the supply falls below
the average, as It is practically certain 70 do.
creased population and consequent demand.
will have a materially smaller supply than at
present, and that will mean an actual shortage
There Is. Of course, not the slightest reason for
supposing that the average flow Of the Croton
IS increasing. It is more probably diminishing
It is true, the city is now getting only about
So per cent Of the CrotOn flow. But the remain
ing II per cent must be regarded as practically
unavailable. II could be secured by providing
3ORn to
drop that flows down the Croton at any time
Of the year. To do that, however it would be
necessary to double, and more than double, the
capacity Of the existing storage system. We
have no doubt that the Aqueduct Commission
would undertake such job with avidity But
to most men it would seem TO be mOnstrous
extravaganza 20 increase the waterwOrks more
than 100 per cent in order TO increase the supply
IL per cent. Additional supply, therefore, must
be sought elsewhere. II IS now being sought
with discretion and energy in the Catskllls but,
OF course, II will be some years before it be-
comes available. The problem is, then. how
best 10 conserve and economize the present re-
sources until the Catskill supply is available
In addition 10 Mr.. Fuertes's detailed discus
sion and recommendation Mr.. J. Hemnden
Dougherty, who speaks with much authority
presents an admirable summary Of desirable
measures for immediate relief These comnrise
amendment of the charter so as 20 permit the
universal installation Of meters. the repeal az
the prohibitory laws in Dutchess and Suffolk
counties. the use Of the ground waters OF suf-
folk County which the law does not prohibit
the further development OF the present Brook.
Iyn watershed under the direction OF the new
Board OF Water Supply, the replacement OF
Ieaky mains with sound ones. the establish
ment OF pipe galleries for the water mains and
the prosecution OF the Catskiil enterprise With
vigor. honesty and economy. These proposals
will doubtless meet with the general approval
OF thoughtful men who are awake 10 the neces-
stiles Of the situation and who are disinterest-
edly desirous Of guarding the metropolis against