The Pollution of the Water Supply of New York City.

The Pollution of the Water Supply of New York City.

CONCERNING the serious question of the pollution of the water shed of the Croton valley and its adjuncts much may be suggested as to the ways and means that may be adopted in order to overcome the difficulty. As has been previously stated in these columns, it is a growing evil, rendered so by the increase of population in the valley of the Croton and its adjacent water sources. It may be time for radical steps to be taken, yet it will be a work of such immense proportions as to require the best engineering skill and talent to be found in the country. It may also be found utterly impracticable for New York city to undertake under the present law the object sought. The idea of an intercepting sewer system is yet to be considered from every engineering standpoint of experience and practice. One may look with alarm upon such a scheme, particularly when the characteristics incident to this particular case are also considered. Commissioner Gilroy was to our mind right when he inveighed against the law passed June 2, 1980, chap. 468, laws of 1890.

Meanwhile it would be a good thing to stir up some of the officials and contractors who are aiding in polluting the streams, as discovered by investigation of the officers of the New York city Hoard of Health. It might also not be amiss for the proper officials in charge of the water supply of New York city to consider now the question of new sources of supply. New York city is, by reason of its size and peculiar location, in command of a position to bring water from the water sheds of a territory across the North river, far more isolated to-day than it was fifty years ago from the natural growth of population and polluting influences. Investigation might reveal the fact that this scheme would be cheaper and better in all respects than an intercepting sewerage scheme in the Croton valley.