The San Francisco call., 1913-07-22
Can FranCisCo's Water Problem

district most unhappy emphasize the hafa-
ships of San Francisco's ntolerable water STU
alton.
They should serve to remove all honest oppo-
sition to San Francsco's fight for the rlght 10 de
velop the Hetch Hetchy water system
The business men of any district are slow 70
make complaint likely to retard the Development
of their district Last week the business men
association of the Potrero was forced formally 70
complain about the quality of the water furnisned
by the Spring Valley company.
The association was compelled to admit that the
water was unfit TO drink and to ask Tor the con-
demnation of the reservoir at Twenty-second ana
Wisconsin streets.
Sunday night fire which destroyed nine
homes demonstrated that there was not even DAD
water enough to afford the district the fire pro-
tcction everv San Francisco neighborhood is enti-
tied to-
Nine homes were wiped out because the firemen
could not get the water to stop the spread OF the
flames.
What is true in the Potrero is true in virtually
every outlying district in San Francisco They
have neither proper fire protection nor silfhcient
water for domestic purposes. 1865 sfs
This is not because OF water waste IN other
parts of the city. Thanks to the confession and
pleas of the Spring Valley Water company the mt-
nicipal government and the people generally have
done everything possible to minimize the dangers
Of the water famine
That the business and more centrally located
residence districts not subjected to extra tire
loss risk is due to the fact that San francisco
splendid auxiliary high pressure system is not de-
pendent upon the Spring Valley supply The et-
fciencv of that system may be maintained by the
salt water pumping stations.
The Spring Valley company is delivering 40,
100000 gallons day to the city OF San francisco.
That is the limit of its developed supply From
private wells the people of San Francisco are Sc
curing approximately 100000 gallons day in
addition to the Spring Valley supply. That IS a
combined total of less than 100000 gallons a
dav for city OF more than 100000 population.
The CITY of Seattle with directory population
cf 2S4OOe has supply in excess of 100000
gallons and is using more than 100000 gallons
day.
Seattle's consumption OF water is not out of pro-
portion TO the amounts used by other American
cities, always excepting San Francisco.
San Francisco is compelled to get along with
less than half the water necessary for the health
and protection Of its citizens because it is the only
big CITY in America dependent upon private cor
poratiOn.
None pretends that the immediate relief upon
which the development of San Francisco is con-
tineent can be secured from the Hetch Hetchy, but
to deny San Francisco the right to develop the
Hetch Hetchy is to deny her the right of destiny.
Adjustment of San Franciscos difficulties with
the Spring Valley company is contingent upon the
prompt insurance of San Francisco's rights in the
Hetch Hetchy
Such adjustment might result in development
Of the Spring Valley properties which would enable
the city to get along with additional but insult
ficent water pending the completion of the Hetch
Hctchy project.
But the Spring Valley properties not be de
veloped sufficiently to meet the normal needs OF
San Francisco ten years hence. 1t has not been
proved that they can be developed sufficiently to
meet the needs of San Francisco two years hence
Certainly they have not been developed suf-
icienty to meet the present needs-to avert the
water famine freely confessed by the Spring Valley
company.
No true friend of San Francisco can afford to
quarrel now with the terms of the Hetch Hetcty
bill, The most perfunctory investigation will con
vince any honest man that San Francisco's water
problem has developed crisis portentors Of dire
harm.
He is San Franciscos friend who lends his every
energy to the immediate consideration and passage
of the Raker BILL He is San Francisco's enemy
who does less.