Norwich bulletin., 1910-11-22
PLENTY OF WATER IS ASSURED
Pipes of the System Will Be Kept Filled Though It May Not Be Fit For Drinkng-River Water Will Be Used, If Needed, as a Last Resort-Farview Now Aided by Mohegan Lake -Straner Went Out of Water Monday Morning.

1 tention
 The city has not made any effort to secure an additional watershed since the vote passed by the board of wa i ter commissioners last summer. We i are threatened with a water famine, a 1 condition pregnant with disastrous results to our mercantile. civil and do mestic affairs. We therefore respect fully request your honor to cali spe- cial city meeting to discuss the mat ter, and to take action on the same that will be deemed wise and neces- sary to relieve the needs of Norwich 1 in this respect.
 Will Always Be Enough Water. The fear of some citizens thas the pipes of the city will become dry IS unnecessary anxiety, states Superin- tendent Corkery, for such a contingep- cy has been considered and should the water in both ponds get so low that there would be danger of such condition, as a means of last resort, i water from the Yantic and Shetucket rivers will be pumped into the mains, so that there will be plenty for the purpose of flushing closets and in case Of fire, but not for drinking or cook ing. The idea. of the commissioners Is that the use of the large fire pumps at the Falls mill aId the oleachery would be brought into use, these pumps being able to force through the mains water sufficient to supply the entire city with the river water, at the present amount of consumption. This service would, of course, be paid for and would provide the water for the above uses, but no one would be ! expected to drink it, as ii is open to pollution from various sources. This would be done only as the last resort, all other means failing.
 Rain Is Expected.
 Every day without rain means one day nearer rain, but how soon that will come is problematicaL When the reservoir was down at it's lowest point five years ago it reached the low level of 255 inches below high water mark on November 2S. It is now NoVern- Der 22 and the pond was down 330 inches on Monday. From this it might be deduced that the lowest point must be reached soon and rain in abundance looked for. This is the prayer of ev- eryone and with such 8 dry fall per manent break can be expected soon. It was reported early this morning that it was raining in New Haven.
 Every break that is discovered is being reported to the department and prompt attention is given in each case that there may be no unnecessary loss. An attentive citizen reported Monday evening that there was leak at Lin coin court but an investigation show ed that it was where a well was be- ing cleaned out for use.
 Before the water from Mohegan lake was turned on Monday morning, there was no pressure at the hydrant at the entrance to the park. After 1t had been on for two hours the pres sure at that high point had been in creased and registered six pounds and has probably increased during the night.
 Provision for Fire Department.
 Realizing the seriousness of the pres ent situation, the fire department has prepared for any emergency that might arise. Alderman Ely, chairman of tine department Commissioners, and Chief Stanton have finally decided to have placed on the floor of the Central fire station large automobile fitted out with several three gallon tanks of chemicals and other paraphernalia for fighting fires, such as axes and other too1s so that when a fire call is sound ed a quick response can be made and the fires extinguished before there is any necessity for water.
 In addition, Alderman Ely has ad- Vised Chief Stanton to fill up the cis- terms about the city With water from the river and use this when necessary instead of city water. Five hundred feet of three-inch hose, which is 8 half inch larger than is ordinarily used here will be ordered at once and will be used for long distances. This is done because the friction caused by the water passing through is less in large than in 8 small hose. The department is also discussing the feasibility of securing q motor driven combination chemical machine, but no action will be taken on this until it is placed before a city meeting. Chairman Ely of the board of commissioners stated yester- day that the board would recommend the purchase of one of these machines at the next annual meeting, as 1t would be more efficient and would cost less than under the present arrange ment. Besides. several of the horses in service in the department have al- most passed their age of usefulness and this is considered q good time to take action in the matter. A machine such as is proposed will cost about s5,000 or less. it is estimated. Henry F.. Taft. driver of Engine No. 1, who has been anticipating such a purchase, has already fitted himself as a driver. He will be placed in charge of the touring car that is to be placed in the Central station as a temporary outfit.