New-York tribune., 1908-09-26
DkOU TIL In WATERSHED
CITY SUPPLY ASSURED.
But Health Officials Fear Epidemic
Unless Rain Comes Soon.

dusty beds; wells upon which the possessors
have depended for drinking water for years are
empty for the first time; the nine great reser-
roirs in which the city water is stored show
weed grown and rocky eloping banks for many
.eet. and the city is consuming ;40,000.
"@ gallons of water daily from the stored sup
r?T. practically nothing being added by the
streams or springs usually prolific. It is the
record drouth in the Croton
There is no danger Of a water famine as there
were yesterday, according to the figures in the
DEPARTMENT of Water Suppl". Gas and Electric
itT, nearly sixty billion gallons ready for use.
enough, if drained to almost the last drop, for
40 days. bat there is danger to health. Rain
has been promised by the weather bureau,
Climatic conditions referred to as making
a fairly heavy Gownpour soon inevitable; and
the season of the year when precipitation has
always been heavy is at hand.
The big CrOton reservoir is now flied 70 within
eight feet of the spilIway, or with 24037. 100000
gallons Of water. This is due to the fears of
the. Health Department of epidemic. In
conference year ago with the department, of
of which John H O'Bricn is Commissioner. it
was pointed out by DR.. Darlington that low
water in the Croton would be III. mace to the
health of the inhabitants Cf this city. Malig-
nant germs. il SAID. scattered through 24,-
kh.'HoGOO gallons would be far less dangerous
than if contained in 1.O00OlHOpo gallons Con
ccntration meant more liability to disease
among the consumers Acting upon that. the
Water Department adopted the policy of keep
ing the Crotcn reservoir as nearly full as pos
sible But few weeks ago it was down eigh-
teen feet below the spway. Then the sluice
ways OF the upper reservoirs were opened.
They were closed yesterday morning.
NOT WORSE THAN LAST YEAR.
Croton reservoir, before the filling process had
been begun, was clothed with grass and weed,
on slopes that, when water was plenty. had
been covered \ visit to the place yesterday
showed that the water had crept UP and up
covering over hall Of this verdure. The water
was sparkling 1t looked pure. and was cool
and inviting. No scum was visible anywhere
But the other reservoirs were not 50 attractive
at the margins. The exposed places at Titicu>
near Purdy's station. were dry not very vcedr
The same true OF Muscoot Carmel. Sodom
and Bog Brook. They had been Iaying toll T.
the big Croton. Cross River reservoir was
hrimming fun. ana Boyd's Corner. As
compared with last year. the reservoirs were
below the spillways. as follows:
Croton. this year. : feet: last year. IL; TItiCus
- to 8; Muscoot. y To- Il: Carmel. l. to IL
Sodon, II 20 Il: Bog Brook. Is to II ana III.
Middle Branch, > +
In actual showing the conditions are net 7vor~-
than last year. But then there was plenty of
fresh water coming In. There VAS no great
drouth. The very sources Of the supply were
not seemingly dried W. AT present
This drouth Is feared ty the Water uepar.-
ment and the Health Department on account
Of the danger to the quality OF water supplied
And there Is some disput" as to the wisdom of
draining the reservoirs further up the WutersheI
TO supply Croton. 4 member Of the Water
Department said yesterday that there was NOR,
danger in exposing the surfaces OF the
voir than IN letting the water in Crotou 70
down But Dr. Darlington thinks otherwise
The watershed has not had natural bath
for six weeks. 1t sorcly needs IT, There =
an accumulation Of refuse the roads rail
road track beds in the waste places Of the
all exposed. have been fostering in the hot
sun. To be sure. the Water Department has
redoublcd its system of inspection throughout
the watershed This established in its fight
against typhoid a year and "a half ago DaGy
and sometimes twice a day inspectors traverse
their districts They rigorous in their
mands that the sanitary laws shall be OnevcG.
Sources Of pollution have Iccn oluiaatcd.
Wherever possible the accumulatIons Of dung
have been burned or mad, harmless by means
of chemicals.
The first great dOwnpour Will clean Nhc water
she'd Whatever has been overlooked 10y tnv
inspectors and whatever they have been power
less to remedy. viii be washed into the streams
that feed the reservoirs.