New-York tribune., 1906-05-19
WATER PLAN APPROVED
State Commission Hands Dozen Its
Decision.

The State Water Supply Commission handed
down its decision yesterday on the application
OF the city Of New York for approval Of It's
plans 70 take additional water supply from
the Catskill Mountains at a cost to the city as
estimated, Of S16O,000.OOO. The decision of the
State Commission reviews the water supply sit
uation in this city and dwells on the vast i'm
portance OF the project
The State Commission admits that II a series
Of dry years should be experienced, New York
would be in danger Of disastrous water famine
and it urges the city authorities to pay imme-
diate attention to the stoppage Of preventable
waste and the removal of legislative restric
tions which interfere with the taking of water
srom Dutchess and Suffolk counties, and Ten
Mile River in the Croton section. The COM
mission says that 'all available sources of water
within easy reach of the city Of New York are
nearly exhausted, and each borough is in imme-
diate need of an additional supply"
The decision emphasizes the fact that under
the statute it (the State Water Supply Commits
sion) has but three questions to pass upon:
First, as to the public necessity Of adding to New
York's water supply; second. whether the plans
proposed by the city are just and equitable to
other municipalities of the state and third
whether they make fair provision for the pay
ment Of damages direct and indirect
It answers the first question in the affrma-
because
population, which, under existing conditions
means an annual increase in the consumption Of
water of 100000 gallons day. while the pres
ent supply scarcely meets the existing needs
| The commission comedies that an available sup
ply might be obtained from the Hudson River
but regards this as Objectionable whether
filtered or not.
for the four sources Of supply from the Catskin
watershed is discussed at great length and con-
sent is given to the use OF all but the Scnoharle
The CatskilI watershed is estimated to yield
an additional supply of water to the city or
about 50O,O0O.000 gallons daily, and the ASnokan
reservoir, to be built in the Catskills, will i'm
pound 7OOOO,OOO.OOO gallons Of water.
The second question is also answered IN @ @the
! Affirmative but the commission says that the
plans were not just and equitable as originally
presented, and that this city agreed with the
| commission TO unite in securing the necessary
remedial legislation at the recent session IN
Albany. by amending the act creating the Board
! OF Water Supply of New YORK CITY ana denn-
ing its duties These amendments provide in
| IDENTITIES TO any municipality for expenses IN
| CURED for pauper or INDECENT employees brought
| into it by contractors for the citys waterworks
| extension They also provide police protection
and enable municipal corporations within the
! watersheds of the Esopus Rondout and Cats
kill creeks to take water from the city's aQue-
duct paying fair water tax
These amendments with certain notifications
! Of the plans, make them acceptable to the state
| board and the latter declares Justify their ap-
prevail
In reference to the third requirement, the COM
| mission recites the widespread devastation which
the building Of the great Ashokan dam by the
city must inevitably occasion. destroying or
causing the removal Of all houses. business
| places. schools, churches. cemeteries and rail-
way stations within a submerged area Of over
ten thousand acres"
In giving its consent to the application OF tne
CITY for a new and additional supply Of water
the state board recites the notifications en-
braced in the legislation referred to, discusses
them at length, and then unanimously approves
the application modified