New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-31
MORE WATER PLANS.

The report of the consulting engineer of the
State Water Commission on New YOrk's addi-
tional supply is interesting and suggestive. With
part of its contents there will be general agree
ment. From a part there will be strong dis
sent That every borough of this city needs
additional water supply is perfectly obvious.
That such a supply should be sought at the most
available sources goes without saying. But
there will be some exceptions TO Mr.. Falk's
order Of availability of such sources.
With the recommendation of Nassau and Suf-
folk counties as the first source of supply es-
pecially for the bOrOughs of Queens. Brook yn
and Richmond are in entire accord. The
Tribune has for years been urging the utilization
Of the Long Island watershed, which is near at
hand can be developed quickly and cheaply and
will provide enough water of the finest quality
for those three bOroughs for a long time to come.
For years Brooklyn has necessarily been on the
verge of a water famine BY entering Suffolk
County all such danger could be entirely re-
moved within a year, and in another year the
growing needs of the city could be amply met
until such time as the greater supply from the
Catskills could he secured
But there will be surprise at the placing of
Ten Mile River second on the list. 1t is true
that in some respects that is an ideal source Of
supply. 1t could he utilized quickly (save for
legal Obstacles) and Cheapy (save for damages
10 De palu) ana NOuld FURNISH good water at q
high level But the legal obstacles and the
damages would be serious. considerable part
of that watershed lies i'm Connecticut and its
supply supports important Industries in that
state There is reason to fear that Connecticut
would positively object to our taking the water
and if those objections were ever overcome it
would be only after years OF tedious and costly
delay. As for the damages, direct and Indirect
they would be enormous. Several villages would
have to be- completely destroyed. and others, in
Guiding such places as Pawling and Armenia.
would have to be much disturbed and remodelled
The water powers of Armenia. Dover Plains and
South Dover, in New York. would be destroyed
and those of Derby, GAINESVILLE, New Milford and
other places I'm Connecticut would be impaired
On the principle Of indirect damages, which the
State Commission has imposed upon this CITY
what indemnities might not have TO be paid
! And all that would be for the securing of a
| comparatively small Increase in our supply, for
the very maximum yield of Ten Mile River is
only 1JO,O00OO0 gallons, and in some years il
| averages little more than 100000 gallons n
| day. If we could get, together with the Ten
! Mile River supply, the water of the upper
HOusatonic, making total of S00OOOOOO gal
| ions a day, we should have all we are likely to
| need but Mr.. Falk does not venture TO suggest
! that-thOugh we might ask why not If we
can Invade Connecticut for the Ten Mile River
supply, and can, he suggests, take the Della
ware River water from New Jersey and Penn
! sylvania why not invade Connecticut and Massa
chusetts n little further and get all we want
! from the HOusatOnic; Our own conviction Is
that any attempt To get a water supply from
another state would result in delay vexation and
| disappointment
As TO Duchess County. we are quite in agree.
ment with Mr.. Falk that it should be reopened IN
New York and we trust the pending bill to thar
| end Will be enacted. But there are reasons for
doubling whether Duchess County should he
ranked before the Ulster County region IN avail
ability. One is the point of time Competent
engineers believe that, because of the great tun-
| mel through Fishkill Mountain which the
Duchess County scheme would involve, sun
ply could be got in less time from Ulster County.