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REPORT
THE    COMMITTEE
ON SUPPLYING
WATER,
FOR THE
CITY  OF  NEW  HAVEN
■»>■»» ■»
   NEW  HAVEN:


T. J. STAFFORD, PRINTER.



         1853. 
 
REPORT
OF
THE   COMMITTEE
ON SUPPLYING
WATER,
FOR THE
CITY  OF  NEW  HAVEN.
              ttt
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  NEW HAVEN:


T. J. STAFFORD, PRINTER.


       1853. 
           NSZZk-



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•;»TlM'M UBSAfflTOF  MEDICINE '
       -viseros'. a  ft ^- 
REPORT.
          To the Freemen of the City of New Haven.

   At an adjourned City meeting  held June 1, 1852, resolutions
were passed, in the words following:
   " Resolved, That a Committee of nine,  of whom the  Mayor
shall be one, be appointed by the Chair,  to enquire and report
upon the most feasible method of supplying the City with water,
for the extinguishment of fires and  other purposes;  and that the
Mayor be authorized to draw upon the Treasury for such sum as
may be necessary for the employment of  Engineers to make the
necessary estimates,' and to carry the resolution into effect.
   Resolved,  That the Mayor be requested to call a City meeting,
to hear and act upon the Report of the said Committee, at as early
a day as may be consistent with a full and thorough investigation
of the subject."
   The Committee appointed in accordance with the preceding
Resolutions were, A. N. Skinner,  Henry  White, Ezra C. Read,
Charles A.  Ingersoll,  Matthew  G. Elliott, Henry Hotchkiss,
Wm. H. Ellis, Henry Peck and  Elias Gilbert.
   The Committee soon  after their appointment, entered upon
the duties assigned them, and appointed Alexander  C.  Twining,
Esq., Engineer to make the necessary surveys, investigations and
estimates.  As Mr. Twining was  obliged to be absent a  part of
the time, the Committee with Mr. Twining's  assent,  appointed
Michael Ritner, Esq., Assistant engineer; who acted under Mr.
Twining's directions, till the completion of  his Report.
   Mr. Twining, as will appear by his Report, herewith submitted,
entered  into a careful investigation of the various sources of sup-
ply around New Haven; and has  furnished  the Committee with
much important and reliable information, in  regard to the amount 
4
of water required ; the capacity of the streams; the head requir-
ed ; the dimensions, position and structure of conduits, reservoirs,
pipes and apparatus;  the modes of supply by water power, steam
power and  otherwise, from several different sources;  with careful
specifications and estimates of each ; the distribution in the City;
the comparative advantages  of  steam  and water power;—all of
which are of great value, to enable the  Committee and the City
to come to  a proper decision.   Most of the surveys were made by
Mr. Ritner and a party under his personal supervision, agreeably
to Mr.  Twining's directions; and may be  relied upon  for their
accuracy and good judgment.
  It will be seen by Mr. Twining's Report, that he did not de-
cidedly recommend any one  of  the various projects, but confined
himself to  investigations, showing the capabilities,  advantages,
expenses and important facts of  each;  leaving it with the Com-
mute  to examine the whole ground, and to form their  opinions
from the information derived from his  Report and  from other
sources.  This and the variety of the projects  proposed, as well
as the great importance of the subject has prolonged the investi-
gations of  the  Committee, beyond their own  wishes  and the
expectations of the public.
  The Report considers most of the various possible sources of
supply to the number of twelve or more ; but passing by others
as less advantageous,  gives particular specifications and estimates
of the  six  following, of which  a  particular description will be
found in the Report, and which are estimated by Mr. Twining
to cost, delivering the water  in Chapel street, exclusive of distri-
bution, as follows:

  No. 1.  The Qitinnipiac by open Canal nearly three miles to
North Haven, to be pumped thence by water power to the ridge
west, and thence by  brick conduit  four miles to Reservoir North
of Whitney ville, thence by double twenty-one  inch mains (cast
iron pipe) 15,600 feet to the  City.                $399,870 70.

  No. 2.  Quinnipiac, Pine River and Horton's Brook combined ;
by open Canal l\ miles to a  point East of the Northeast slope of
East Rock, to  be pumped thence  by water power to Reservoir 
5
on North slope, thence conducted by double mains by Whitney-
ville and Hartford turnpike to the City (supposed by Mr. Twining
to cost $40,000 less than the above.)             $359,870  70.

  No. 3. Mill River by water power ;  the stream to be set back
by dam at the Clock Factory high enough to overflow the dams
at the Paper Mill and Waite's Mill to Churchill's dam ; and to be
conducted from the Clock Factory on the West side by open
Canal 4000 feet long, round the point  of Mill Rock and the bay
of low land to a point back of the house of Mr. Whitney ;  thence
to be  pumped  by a fall  of thirty-four feet to  a Reservoir on
Sachem's Hill; thence by double twenty-one inch mains to the
City.                                         $233,722  90.

  [To this should be addsd Mr. Whitney's price for water, which
would very materially increase the cost.]

  No. 4. To pump by steam power from below the Gun Factory
dam to the Reservoir on Sachem's Hill, thence  by double mains
to the City as in No. 3.                         $275,080  00.

  No. 5. To convey the  water from  above Churchill's dam by
open Canal three miles long, to  West  side of Sachem's Hill; to
be pumped  thence by steam  power into  Reservoir, thence by
double mains to the City as above.               $263,487  00.

  [As this would take water from the  five  privileges below, the
cost  of purchase of these rights would probably add largely to  this
estimate.]

  No. 6. To pump by steam power from West River to Reser-
voir on  Beaver Hills ten feet lower than  the Reservior above-
mentioned, and thence  by double mains to the city.   Estimate
same as No. 4.                                 $275,080  00.

  After Mr. Twining's Report was made, the Committee received
new propositions  from  Mr. Eli Whitney, in regard  to the water
power of Mill Pviver; and from Mr. N. C. Whiting and others in
regard  to  the  water power of the  Ctuinnipiac,  Pine River and
other branches  of the Quinnipiac, which promised materially to 
6
 diminish the estimated expenses;  and which required  additional
 surveys and estimates.  In the absence of Mr. Twining, Mr. Rit-
 ner was requested to make the requisite investigations, especially
 in regard to one or two of the routes which had not been before
 particularly surveyed.
   The Committee also caused specimens of the waters from the
 different streams to  be obtained, and experiments to be made of
 their effect upon lead pipe, soldered to other metal, and  placed (in
 jars containing the different waters) in the dark, as nearly as pos-
 sible under the same circumstances  as if in use for  service pipe.
 These waters were collected and experiments were  made by Mr.
 Twining himself, and  afterwards the jars  containing  the water
 and lead were put in the possession of the Committee for their
 inspection,  and  for further  experiments.  A more  particular ac-
 count of these experiments will be  found in Mr. Twining's mem-
 oranda, appended to his Report and in Professor Porter's analysis.
 Other specimens of lead pipe were afterwards by direction of the
 Committee  placed in the  different streams by Mr. Ritner, to as-
 certain whether the pipe would be differently affected by running
 water.
   The Committee also submitted specimens of the  different wa-
 ters, collected  partly by Mr. Twining, and  partly by Mr. Ritner,
 to Professor Porter, at the Analytical Laboratory  of  Yale  Col-
 lege, where they were carefully analyzed, so far  as to ascertain
 the amount of impurities or foreign matter in each.   These spe-
 cimens were numbered, and a record of their origin kept by those
 who collected  them;  but the places from which they were taken
 was unknown to the Professor and his assistants, until after the
 analysis was made and reported to  the Committee.
   Specimens of water were  likewise taken by direction of the
 Committee, from six principal wells, in different parts of the city,
 which in like  manner were analyzed by Professor Porter.  The
 results of which analyses are  herewith submitted in  Prof.  Por-
 ter's reports, with the addition of the names of the  streams, and
 of the wells from which the waters were taken.
   The Committee have also  made many enquiries in regard to
 the modes of introducing water into  other cities, with their com-
parative advantages and disadvantages. 
7
  With the results of these various investigations before  them,
the Committee are satisfied that New Haven possesses great nat-
ural facilities for introducing an abundant supply of pure and ex-
cellent water, at a moderate expense, compared with the expense
of other cities for this purpose.   So  numerous are the sources
and modes of supply, that  it has been more difficult to make a
selection, than to point out one or more plans, which  might be
adopted with success.  The great object is to fix upon the plan,
which will involve the  least expense,  and  at the same time fur-
nish a sure and abundant supply, sufficient not only for our pres-
ent wants, but for all the future  wants of any population  which
may ever inhabit the city.   It is  important to ascertain not only
what plan will involve the least  expense in  the beginning for a
small quantity, but what  plan  is capable  of enlargement for a
great quantity, with the  least additional expense ;  which shall
answer not a temporary but a permanent purpose, and which shall
cost the City the least not merely in the outset, but shall cost the
least, and confer the greatest benefits, in the end.
   The plan, No.  1, of bringing  the water of the Quinnipiac, as
described in Mr. Twining's Report, by open Canal from  the Q.uin-
nipiac Factory, nearly three miles, to the vicinity of North Ha-
ven, and pumping it thence by water power to a Reservoir on the
ridge west,  and conducting it thence  along the ridge by conduit
four miles to a Distributing Reservoir on the high ground north
of Whitneyville, received considerable favor from the Committee
on account of the large  and constant supply of water it would
afford, the natural adaptation of  the ridge  for  the purpose, and
the supposed economy of the plan.  But Mr.  Twining's estimate
so much exceeded the expectations of the  Committee, that they
turned their attention to other projects.  The great distance of
the Distributing Reservoir from  the  City, (it being 15,600 feet,
nearly three miles, from  Chapel  street,) caused a great item of
the expense.  The  double  twenty-one inch distributing mains
alone were estimated at $156,000.
   In all of Mr. Twining's estimates,  he proposes double rising,
and double distributing mains, which, though desirable,  do not
appear to the Committee necessary;  at least for the present, and
add very much to the expense.   The  Committee  have in their 
8
estimates contemplated only one main  pipe, which  is the usual
mode, (unless two are necessary for quantity,) and which is known
to be ample, with the diameter and head proposed, to deliver a
greater quantity of water than will be required for many years to
come.  Another main can be  added when the  increased con-
sumption, and increased revenues from the water shall justify it.
  As Mr. Twining's estimates  exceeded  public expectation, the
Committee have endeavored to reduce them, by dispensing with
double mains; by bringing the  Reservoirs  nearer the City; by
substituting brick conduits, or  open canal, for  iron pipes, where
practicable ; and by restricting  the  plan of distribution, in regard
to the diameter and length of the pipes ;  with the hope that they
might bring the expense within the expectations of  the citizens,
without material detriment, and that the works might be extend-
ed, as the wants of the City shall require, and  as  the  income
shall increase, so as not to increase the  public  burden.   The
Committee see no reason why the  expenses should ever increase
beyond the lowest estimates of Mr. Twining.
  Soon after the Report of Mr. Twining  was made  to the Com-
mittee, they received a proposition to convey the combined waters
of the Quinnipiac, Pine River,  Horton's Brook and other smaller
streams,  by open Canal 8J miles long, to a point near the S. E,
spur of East Rock, where there is a convenient locality for a Reser-
voir, and where there would be a water power of twenty feet fall.
The use  of  this water  and power, to pump water to the extent
of the wants of the City,  was offered for the consideration of
$100,000.   "Satisfactory security for  the performance of the
contract to be given;"  the contractors reserving only the surplus
power to themselves, after the wants of the City should  be sup-
plied.   The distance of this proposed  Reservoir from the corner
of State  and Elm streets is 9500 feet ; and the spot has natural
advantages for its cheap and durable construction, for a head of
130 to 140 feet above mean tide.
  A project similar to this (above named as No. 2) is mentioned
in Mr. Twining's Report, as less expensive  than the one before
noticed,  but, says the Report—"At the time of entering  upon
this enquiry an accurate survey could  not be made in season"—
" but  by  aid of Mr. Ritner's minute acquaintance with the region, 
9
I was able to make an approximate estimate,  which developed
the fact that between thirty and forty thousand dollars might be
saved by changing the plan."
  Mr. Twining's plan differs  from the one proposed by the con-
tractors above, only by terminating the open canal, and locating
the water power about 6000 feet farther North, and placing the
Reservoir on the N. E. slope of East Rock nearly opposite the
Gun Factory, instead of the S. E. spur as above mentioned; and
conducting the water to the City by Whitney Avenue instead
of Hancock Avenue, or State street.
  The  contractors  afterwards varied their proposition  so  as  to
locate the water power, if preferred, agreeably to  Mr. Twining's •
recommendation, 6000 feet North of the spot first  proposed—for
the sum of $86,000.
  These propositions were so much more favorable in point  of
expense, and  promised so copious a supply of water,  that the
Committee gave them their serious attention; and directed Mr.
Ritner to make the necessary surveys and estimates to  ascertain
whether such a contract could  be safely made.   His  estimates,
as in his Report herewith  submitted, bring the combined waters
of the duinnipiac and its branches above mentioned, to the S. E.
point of East Rock as above for $93,866.   And to the site men-
tioned near the N. E. slope of East Rock for $86,000.
  Mr. Whitney also made a more favorable proposition than he
had before made, viz.: to convey the exclusive right to the whole
water power of Mill River as far as needful or available to sup-
ply the City with water;  including the  power created by the
dams at the Armory, Clock Factory, Upper Works  (formerly
Paper Mill)  and Waite's  Mill, and all  land owned by him  for
flowage; also  the site on which the Armory filing shop stands,
for  water wheels, pumps, &c.; land for Reservoirs of most ample
dimensions,  and  right of  way and flowage over all lands owned
by  him ; also right of erecting tide gates granted to him by the
Legislature, and right of taking stone from his rock ledge for the
construction of the water works ; for a sum, which together with
the cost of dam, canal, bridge, &c, to  be done by the City, will
amount to $76,109 20.  He reserving  the surplus water only for
                           2 
10
his use,  and placing no restriction on the City in its use of the
entire water when required for its supply.
  These new propositions  presented  to  the  Committee three
modes, apparently less expensive  than  any of  those before esti-
mated, though similar to some of them with modifications, but
sufficient for the  present wants of the City, and capable of en-
largement to any desirable extent, viz:

  First.—To  build a dam at the Clock Factory and  set  back
Mill  River  so  as to overflow the dams at  the Paper Mill,  and
Waite's Mill  back  to Churchill's  dam,   as  proposed  by  Mr.
Twining;—then conduct the stream by open Canal on the East
side  of  Mill  River  to the  Gun  Factory, as  proposed  by  Mr.
Whitney ; and thence by a fall of thirty-four feet to  pump the
water by water power to  a Receiving Reservoir on Sachem's
Hill  at a point between Ball Spring and the Gun Factory, thence
to conduct the water by brick conduit, to  a smaller Distributing
Reservoir on Sachem's Hill North of the mansion of Mrs. Hill-
house, and thence by a twenty inch  main  to the corner of Tem-
ple and Elm streets to be distributed  through the City.

  Second.—To conduct the united  streams of the Quinnipiac,
Pine River,  Horton's  Brook and other smaller brooks,  by open
Canal to a point easterly of  the North side of East Rock, as pro-
posed by Mr. Twining;—to pump thence by water power with
a fall of twenty feet to a Receiving Chamber on the North slope
of East Rock, to conduct thence by a brick  conduit to a  point
over and East of the Gun  Factory, thence  by a  twenty inch
main across Mill River valley to the Reservoir, Conduit, Distribu-
ting  Reservoir, before described on  Sachem's  Hill,  thence as
before by twenty inch main, to corner of Elm and Temple streets
for distribution.

   Third.—To conduct the united  streams of  the Quinnipiac,
Pine River,  Horton's Brook, &c, by open Canal to a point 6000
feet  southerly of  the last mentioned  water power, near Cedar
Hill,  to  pump thence by water power with a fall  of twenty
feet, by a twenty inch main to a  Reservoir on the  S. E. spur of 
11
East Rock, to conduct thence by a twenty inch main along the
Middletown turnpike to the corner of Elm  and State streets for
distribution.

   The Committee on carefully examining these routes,  together
with Mr. Twining's and Mr. Ritner's surveys and estimates, and
such other information as they could obtain, came to the conclu-
sion,  by careful estimates of their own, assisted by Mr. Ritner,
that the expense of these three modes would be nearly as follows :

               1. Mill River by Water Power.

Cost of water power, water, land for reservoirs,  right
   of way,  flowage,  bridge, dam,  guard gates, &c.
   chiefly from Mr. Twining's estimates,*     .     $69,609 20
Mr. Ritner's estimate for Canal, &c.  .     .     .      6,500 00

                                                  $76,109 20
20 inch Rising Mains f inch thick, 2,200 feet, at $5
   per foot,.......11,000 00
Brick conduit, oval,  3 feet by 4  feet, 8 inches thick,
   5,900 feet, at $2  50 per foot,   .     .     .     .  14,750 00
Mr. Twining's estimate for  reservoir,  .     .    .    32,500 00
Do. for wheel house, wheels, pumps, &c,    .    . 18,800 00
20 inch distributing main, to corner of  Temple and
   Elm streets,  4,225 feet, at $5 per foot,    .    .  21,125 00
Mr. Ritner's estimate for crossing Mill River,   .       3,000 00
Distributing reservoir,  land damage,  engineering,
   contingencies, &c.,*.....12,715 80

                                                 $190,000 00
  * The particular items of all the above and following estimates, were examined
by the Committee, but for prudential reasons, omitted here as their publication
might affect contracts. 
12
               2.  Quinnipiac by Whitneyville.

Water power and water as proposed,     .     .     .    $86,000
Mr. Twining's estimate for wheel house, wheels, pumps,
  &c..........18,800
20 inch Rising Main, 800 feet, at $5 per foot,      .      4,000
Brick conduit 3 by 4 feet,  8 inch thick,  to a point over
  Gun Factory,  2000 feet, at $2 50 per foot,   .     .   5.000
Crossing Mill River,......3,000
20 inch Rising Main, 2,400 feet, at $5 per foot, .     .   12,000
Reservoirs as before,    ......      32.500
Conduit as before, 5,900 feet,  at $2  50 per foot,     .    14,750
20 inch Main to  corner  of Temple and  Elm streets,
  4,225 feet, at $5 per foot,.....21,125

                                                   $197,175
Reservoirs, damages,  right of way, engineering, contin-
  gencies, &c.     .......      15,825

                                                   $213,000
                3. Quinnipiac by Cedar Hill.

Water power and water as proposed,     .     .    .   $100,000
Mr.  Twining's  estimate  for  wheel house,  wheels,
  pumps, &c.,........18,800
20 inch Rising Main, 900 feet, at  $5 per foot,      .      4,500
Reservoir, 1£ acres, estimated by Mr. Ritner,   .     .   13,000
Main to corner of Elm and State sts., 9500 feet, $5 per ft.,  47,500
Mr. Ritner's estimate for crossing Mill River by stone
  arch and raising highway 15 feet,  ....   6 850

                                                    190,650
Engineering, damages, contingencies, &c,  .     .        11,350

                                                   $202,000

  Of these estimates it may be said, there has been care to make
them high enough, to err, if at all, on the safe side.  Mr. Twining
estimated the twenty inch main  at $4 per running  foot,  laid.
The Committee called it $5,  which  after  very careful examina-
tion they believe will cover every thing.  Probably Mr. Twining's 
13
estimate was high enough,  but they allow for the possible ad-
vance of the price of iron and other contingencies.  They take
the conduit at his estimate,  $2J  per running  foot,  the  price in
New York,  but believe it can be made in New Haven for $2.
The principal saving,  is by substituting one rising and one dis-
tributing main instead of two ;  and brick conduits for iron mains
when practicable; and by diminishing the length of  the iron
mains by bringing the distributing Reservoir nearer the  City.
   To these  estimates must be added  the cost of distribution,
which, as the different plans terminate  on Elm street,  must be
nearly the same for each.
   Mr. Twining's plan for distribution, is on  a larger scale,  and
more expensive than the City will be likely  to want at present.
It contemplates nearly thirty miles of pipe, the smallest  size of
which is six inches  diameter, the whole costing over $200,000.
Mr. Battin in a plan submitted to the Committee,  proposed nine
miles,* the smallest, of four inch diameter, costing probably about
$60,000.  Mr Ball  in his plan proposed thirty-five miles, running
the length of every street, a large portion of  which is five, four,
three, and two inches diameter, costing about $104,184.
   In Philadelphia there are 113 miles of pipe, of which about
one-fourth or 115,878 feet, nearly twenty-two miles, is three
inch pipe.   In Boston  there are 103J miles the least  (about
one-sixth  of the whole) is four inch pipe.   The President of  the
Croton Department, New York,  recommends four inch pipe as
the smallest.
   From fifteen to eighteen  miles of water pipe, the smallest of
four inch diameter, can be laid in New Haven for about $100,000,
which will be perhaps a fair calculation for the beginning—(there
are now about lOf  miles of gas pipe laid in the City).   The pipe
may be afterwards  extended as  the  wants of the City require,
and as the income shall increase to meet the  interest of the addi-
tional cost.
   Taking therefore the estimates of the Committee on  the three
plans  described, viz.,  $190,000,  $202,000  and  $213,000, and
adding to this the $100,000 for fifteen to eighteen miles of pipe,
it appears that the water works for the City,  may be commenced
on a scale adapted to our present wants for about $300,000.
* Ten miles, including sixteen inch main. 
14
  When the time arrives that the City shall  require four or five
millions of gallons, about triple its present wants, another twenty
inch main may be added if necessary to each of  the  foregoing
plans, thus completing  Mr. Twining's  plan  of introducing the
water by double rising and double distributing mains,  for  such
sums as shall make the three plans cost severally, No. 1, $222,125,
No. 2, $250,225, No. 3,  $254,000.
  In the mean time,  there will be gradual additions for extended
distribution, costing in the end from $50,000 to $100,000 more,
according to its extent  and the increase of  the City.   Making
the whole complete with double  mains,  thirty  or more miles of
distribution for  $400,000 or $450,000.   But the  whole of this
additional expense will  not be necessary till the  City shall be
greatly increased,  at least to double its present size, when it will
have more than  double its present means—and when the increase
of water rates will probably be increased beyond the annual in-
terest of the  whole  cost, and its annual expenditures on the
water works, leaving a surplus as a sinking fund, and ultimately
a clear revenue  to the City.
  That this result is  not chimerical will appear from the follow-
ing statement  taken from the annual report of the Fairmount
water works for 1852.

Total cost of water works from July 1,1822, with
  yearly expenses added to Dec. 1, 1851,  .     $1,707,550 00
Interest on do. at  6 per cent.   ....     102,453 00
Amount of Revenue for 1852,   .    .      .       150,038 67
Excess of Revenue over Interest,   .     .     .     47,585 67
Annual Expenses  for 1852, ....       24,583 63
Excess of  Revenue  over Interest and  Annual
  Expenses,.......23,002 04
Appropriated to Sinking Fund,    .    .     .        35,320 00

The income thus paying the interest of the whole cost of the
works, including the  former  annual expenses,  the expenses for
this year, and leaving a handsome surplus for the Sinking Fund.
  When  we look  at this result, and also consider that it is a well
known fact that water  companies make great profits, we may 
15
safely anticipate that  in  the  course of not many years, the in-
come from the water rates would be such in New Haven that it
would be able to extend  its works without any serious burden:
provided this  generation so  begin the works that they will be
economical in the end.   We think such  a  beginning may be
made for  about $300,000 which need never  increase above
$400,000  to $450,000 even a quarter of a century hence, when
the City shall have double or triple its present population.
  In comparing the three plans above described,  it appears  they
do  not  greatly differ  in  expense; the difference of $10,000 to
$20,000 being in favor  of Mill River.   Neither  of them  differ
far from $200,000.
  In regard to quality of water they are nearly equal,  the differ-
ence being very slightly in favor of Mill River, if Pine River be
united with the Q,uinnipiac.  Both Mill River and the Quinni-
piac are very pure waters, purer than the Croton  or the Schuyl-
kill or any waters known as being introduced into cities,  except
the Cochituate, and much purer than any wells in the City which
have been examined.   Pine River is nearly equal,  being about
as pure  as the Schuylkill and much purer than the Croton or any
of our wells.
  It will be found on referring to Professor Porter's Report,  that
the amount of impurities or foreign matter in the different waters
is as follows: the figures denoting so many parts in  a million, or
so many millionths of organic and inorganic matter in each.
	Cochit-uate.	Mill River.	Quinni-piac.	Schuyl-kill.	Pine River.	West River.	Croton
Organic,	10	15	10	20	18	35	72
Inorganic,	21	58	65	74	77	68	115
  Total,    31     73     75     94     95    103   187
  The foreign matter in the different wells in the City was found
to be as follows :
                                                    Millionths.
From the pump corner of State and Olive streets,         166
  «     "      S. E. corner of Public Square,   .     .   270
  "   Chapel street near Park street,      .     .     .     270
  "   Baths, Orange street,......394
  "   corner of State, George  and Fleet streets,     .     709 
16
  It thus appears that any of the streams about New Haven have
a desirable and remarkable  degee of purity, the  Mill River and
Quinnipiac being the best,  and the West River into which the
Beaver Ponds empty, the least pure.  That all these streams are
much purer than the best wells in the city ; and that of the wells
examined, those in  the Northern parts of  the city are the purest,
the amount of impurity increasing  the nearer they approach the
harbor.
  In regard to the  effect of the waters upon  leaden pipes.   In
the experiments made by placing pieces of the pipe in  japs con-
taining  the water,  none of them appeared to  be  much affected
except the one  placed in the water from Beaver Pond,  although
they had  remained  standing in  a dark  closet  several  weeks.
Those placed in the waters from the Mill  River and the Q.uinni-
piac were least affected, or not affected at all, except a slight cloudy
deposit where the pipes came in contact.   But  neither the waters
or the cloudy deposit were found by analysis to contain any lead.*
  From  the  very thorough  and scientific investigation of the
Boston Committee,  it seems satisfactorily settled that waters from
lakes or running streams do not operate on lead pipe, so as to pro-
duce injurious effects upon  health.  The only perceptible effect
is to produce a slight coat after a  use of  a few days which coat
becomes insoluble and ever after protects the pipe from corrosion.
  In regard to quantity of water, the choice is decidedly in favor
of the Q,uinnipiac.
  It will  be  seen  by Mr. Twining's Report  that  the minimum
quantity flowing in  the driest time in Mill River in twenty-four
hours,  is  ll| millions of gallons, which  with its  fall of thirty-
four feet,  would raise  1,900,000 gallons  per day to an elevation
132£ feet above mean tide; or  over 2,000,000, as high  as  we
shall  probably require,  say from  120 to 125  feet.  "But  the
stream in  ordinary seasons  would exceed this, and by aid of Res-
ervoirs might be reliable for a greater amount, say 2,500,000 gal-
lons per day," by water power in the driest times.
  * A subsequent examination some weeks after discovered slight traces of lead in
the sediment at the bottom of some of the jars but not enough to affect the result.
The waters are in this respect excellent. 
17
  The Quinnipiac, according to Mr. Twining, affords, at its mini-
mum flow in the  driest time, 32£ millions of gallons in twenty-
four hours, which with a fall of 19i feet, will raise over 2,900,000
to an .elevation  of  140| feet above tide, or over 3,250,000 to
the height of 125 feet.  " In  ordinary seasons," continues  Mr.
Twining, "the  river  at its minimum flow would  be  compe-
tent to throw 3,600,000, and by the establishment of Reservoirs,
might be competent  to so much more  in every season."  If we
add  to this  the  increased quantity,  which would be raised by
the same power, by diminishing the head from 140 to 125 feet,
and  the  quantity which would arise  by the  addition  of Pine
River, Horton's Brook and  other brooks and springs on the East
side, there can be but little doubt that  the Qiiinnipiac and its
tributaries may be  relied upon  to raise in  the  driest  seasons
5,000,000 gallons per day, and in ordinary seasons much more.
  The ordinary computation for a  supply of water is thirty to
forty gallons to each  individual per day.   In most foreign cities
it is less than this.  In London twenty-three  gallons; in Phila-
delphia thirty-five, often  running above;  in Boston it was found
in 1849 to be actually sixty-one;  in  1850, sixty-three; in 1851,
sixty-six gallons; in New York about sixty, but sometines rising
to ninety gallons  a day to each individual.
  In New Haven we  should ordinarily expend less,  but in the
driest time when the water will be the scarcest, we should prob-
ably expend as much water to each individual, as Boston or New
York, on account of the far greater number  and extent of our
gardens and the dry nature of our soil.  This use of water for
gardens will be   a new element in  estimating for New Haven,
which probably  has more surface  under culture for gardens and
ornamental grounds than any of the  larger cities.
  Assuming then sixty gallons for each inhabitant,  (the average
for New York and Boston,) our population of 25,000 will require
a daily supply of 1,500,000 gallons at the outset.   Less than
this  will  probably be ordinarily used, yet considering the  demand
for water there will be in the driest season, it will not be safe to
arrange for less.
                           3 
18
  At 60 gallons* per day, for each  inhabitant, the following ta-
ble shows our probable wants for the future :
1,500,000  gallons will supply the present population of  25,000
2,000,000    "        "       "              "         33,333
2,500,000    "        "       "              "         41,666
3,000,000    "        "       "              "         50,000
4,000,000    "        "       "              "         66,666
5,000,000    "        "       "              "         83,333
6,000,000    "       • "       "              "         100,000
  From this calculation it appears that Mill  River, by its  water
power  alone, will supply the City in  the  driest time, for 30,000
to 40,000 inhabitants.  But  when the  population  increases be-
yond that, it will probably be necessary to add steam power, for
one or two months in the driest  seasons.  With this  addition,
Mill River would supply the City for any probable population,
as the  ordinary flow of the river is double or  triple  its minimum.
  The Q-uinnipiac and its tributaries, by its  water power  alone,
will supply the City for a population  of  75,000 or 100,000, even
in the  driest time, and will supply double or triple that quantity
in its ordinary flow.  The capabilities of both  streams may be
much increased by retaining Reservoirs.
  Mill River has  the advantage that it is near, accessible, less
expensive, and less liable  to risks of expenses  not anticipated:
but the disadvantage that at  its  minimum flow, it will require the
aid of  steam power  in  the  dry season,  after the  City shall in-
crease  beyond 40,000 inhabitants.
  The Quinnipiac has the advantage that it will supply the City
to any probable increase, without the aid of  steam, and its addi-
tional expense;  that it will  bring a  new water power,  with its
advantages, near to the City;  but  the  disadvantage of a little
  * Or at Mr. Twining's estimate of 40 gallons to each, we  have the following table:
        1,000,000 gallons will supply the present population of  25,000
        2,000,000   "     "     "          "         50,000
        2,500,000   "     "     «          "         62,500
        3,000,000   "     "     "          "         "75,000
        4,000,000   "     "     "          «         100,000
        5,000,000   «     «     "          «         125,000
        6,000,000   "     «     «          "         150,000 
19
 more cost at the outset, and more  risk as to the future costs, re-
 pairs, &c.   This risk  may,  perhaps, be  counterbalanced by so
 framing the contract that the whole  property should be pledged
 to the City as security for the faithful construction of the Canal,
 and keeping the same in repair.   The surplus  water power is
 supposed by the contractors to be a valuable property; if so, its
 revenue might be sufficient to keep the works in repair.
   Another method has been considered by the Committee, viz:
 that of pumping the required water by steam power instead of
 water power.
   Mr. Twining suggests three methods of raising the water by
 steam.   1.  From below the dam at Whitneyville.  2.  From
 West River,  to be pumped  to  a Reservoir on Beaver Hills.  3.
 From a Canal three miles long, from above Churchill's dam.
   The advantage of raising the water by steam, is,
   1st. That the first cost of the water, in the first two methods
 above mentioned, will  be little  or  nothing, as it  is  proposed to
 take it from below any water power now in use, or of any value.
   2d.  The whole flow of the  stream or  the  whole quantity of
 water may be conducted to the City, as none will  be required for
 power to work the pumps, this power being supplied by steam.
 And consequently Mill River, or even West River would furnish
 enough for all time.  The minimum  flow of Mill River is over
 11,000,000 gallons per day, and of West  River more than half
 that quantity, so that  more than  10,000,000  might be pumped
 from Mill River, enough for 200,000 inhabitants, and more than
 5,000,000 from West River, enough for 100,000.
   But the great objection to steam  power, is the great annual ex-
 pense of fuel, repairs, &c, which expense will constantly increase
 in proportion to the increase of the quantity of water required.
   According to Mr.  Twining's  estimate, the first cost of steam
 works, including the capital  of which the annual expense is the
 interest, to  raise 1,000,000 gallons  per day, would not differ ma-
 terially from  the first cost of water works to  perform the same
duty.  By  referring to  his Report,  it appears that the steam  en-
gine, pumps, and other apparatus to raise 1,000,000, with the ca-
pacity by additional expense, to raise 2,400,000, will cost, inclu-
ding the capital of which the annual expense is  the interest,
$134,330. 
20
By the same estimate, the water works to perform
  the same duty will cost,   -                     $74,172 00
To which add cost of water power, land, flowage,
  dam, bridge, &c,  as above,      -                 76,109 20

By water power, for  1,000,000 gallons,   -    -     $150,281 20
By steam power for     do.      do.     -    -      134,330 00

So that on the first million the difference is in fa-
  vor of steam,......$15,951 20
  But for the second million by steam, according to his estimate,
we must add a capital  of $60,000, and  so  on, $60,000 for each
additional million. But by water power only $13,000 for two, and
only  $25,000 for three millions.  In the language of the Report:
  " It should be observed, in  the comparison of  the foregoing
methods and amounts, that they present a  fair comparative view
for the present time only, when 1,000,000  gallons  will meet the
ordinary daily demand.   If two millions were requisite instead
of one, there  would  appear against the  method by steam, when
compared with water power, a balance of about $60,000 more
than at present, and  the like amount for each additional million."
  Applying this principle together with  the following remarks of
his Report,—adding to the capital $60,000 for every additional
million by steam,  and  the  comparatively small  sum of $12,500
for every additional million by water power, we find that as we
require two, three, four, five, or more millions, the comparison in
point of economy is immensely in favor  of water power over
steam.
  Thus the additional expense for each additional million, will
be as follows:
                             By Steam.     By Water Power.
        For 2,000,000        $60,000        $13,000
         "   3,000,000         120,000          25,000
         "   4,000,000         180,000          37,500
         "   5,000,000        240,000          50,000
         "   6,000,000        320,000          62,500
  These calculations are based  on  the use  of the Cornish en-
gines, (which are supposed to be  much the most  economical of 
21
any in use,) and are corroborated by striking facts, and by the
opinion of every person of science or experience.
  In the Annual  Report  of the Water  Committee of Philadel-
phia for 1852, (page 8,) we find the following remarks on the
importance of continuing  water power instead of steam :
  "In order  that the importance of continuing water power as
long as possible may be appreciated, the  result of  a comparison
of the cost of steam and water power is here given:
  " The total expense  of running the eight wheels and pumps
at Fairmount in 1850,  was as follows:

" For wages of workmen, tallow, oil, packing yarn,    Per annum.       Per day.
  and fuel for heating the mill house, was         $2,594 91    or  $7 10 8
For repairs to the wheels and pumps during the year,     21627    or   0592
               Total cost per year,          $2,811 18        $7 70 0

  "For which sum, 4,785,338 ale gallons per day were pumped
by the eight  wheels and pumps, equal to a  cost of about $1 61
per million gallons raised per day.
  "From information  kindly furnished  by the  Register of the
Spring Garden and Northern  Liberties Water Works,  the cost of
pumping by steam power at those works  in  1850,  was shown to
be as follows:
                                       Per annum.        Per day.
" For coal, wages, tallow, oil, yarn, <fec,           $16,644 00    or   $45 60
For repairs to engines, and pumps,               5,127 46    or    15 06
                                       821,771 46         $60 66

  For this sum  an average of  3,231,254 gallons  per day were
pumped by three engines and pumps, costing about $18 77 per
million gallons per day."
  Thus it appears by official  documents that  in the  same city,
the cost of pumping by water, in 1850, was  to the  cost of pump-
ing by steam, as $L 61 is to $18 77, or nearly as 1 to  11 £.
  And yet men can be  found who will say  they prefer steam to
water power.  That may  be true when the object is a temporary
one,  where a small quantity is to be raised  for a few years, and
where no  regard is had to  a permanent and increasing  supply. 
22
  Every person of experience and science who  has been  con-
sulted, has given an opinion  decidedly in favor of water power
over steam, and in favor of a natural head over either, where prac-
ticable.   This will be found almost the  universal opinion in the
Reports of the Engineers who have acted for the different cities.
  The fact that steam power requires constant expense, that every
additional quantity of water raised, requires a corresponding ad-
ditional quantity of coal: while water power once purchased re-
quires  no feeding, and  performs to  the full extent of its power
with little or no additional expense, gives a decided preference to
water power over steam especially where great quantities of water
are required, and when great and permanent works are to be con-
structed.
  The  only remaining  mode of supply to be considered is that
of introducing water from some source which has sufficient natu-
ral head to dispense with both water  and steam power.  When-
ever an abundance of pure  water can  be obtained with  such a
natural head, this mode  is to be preferred to all others,  provided
its distance, position, and the intervening country admit, without
too great difficulty and expense.  This is the mode in which the
Croton supplies New York ;  the Cochituate, Boston; the Patroon's
Creek, Albany ;  and many other rivers, springs or lakes supply
other cities; and is  the mode  that has been preferred, when prac-
ticable,  in modern, as well as ancient times.
  The only plan of this kind which has been seriously considered
is to bring  the water from Pine River, miscalled Muddy Brook,
which rises among the hills of Meriden,  Wallingford, and North-
ford, and empties into the duinnipiac on the East near Sackett's
Point,  nearly two miles South of North Haven.   This is a fine
rapid stream, with many branches from springs and brooks, with
an extensive water-shed, and is said to be less affected with
drought than many streams.   About ten miles from New Haven,
at Tyler's Dam,  it has a head of 150 feet above tide, and a  very
convenient position  to build a dam and thus between two ranges
of hills  to  construct a very capacious Reservoir, without much
expense.
  Mr. Twining's estimate of the minimum flow of this  stream
was less than had been anticipated, and less than the estimates of 
23
several others, some of them engineers or men of practical expe-
rience.   He says that his survey was rapid, and that the results
of his guages " were made irregular by the unequal discharges
from the dams," and that  "all that could be determined in a gen-
eral way proved to be" a flow of " 2,600,000 gallons per day."
Some who have examined this stream, believe that its natural
flow aided by retaining Reservoirs for which the country is well
adapted, would  furnish an  ample supply to  New Haven in  all
time to come.  But the great objection to this stream is the dis-
tance of its appropriate place for a  Reservoir of suitable head,
and the  character of the  intervening country.  If there were a
continuous ridge of high ground, like  the  ridge  between the
Gluinnipiac and Mill River valleys from North Haven to Whit-
neyville,  this might  be worthy of the first consideration.  But
the ground descends rapidly in  a direct line from the dam, and
the water would  have to be  conducted almost  entirely by iron
pipes;  or by a conduit a  part of the way on a circuitous route,
and by a considerable length of iron pipe to cross the low grounds
of the Quinnipiac valley,  the expense of which has been thought
a serious objection; especially as we have two  other sources of
supply which have  appeared more advantageous.
   A proposition was early made by J. Ball & Co.,  to conduct this
stream to the City,  and  to distribute it with very ample lengths
of pipe,  about thirty-five miles, but of smaller  diameters  than
have been recommended by others, for the sum of    $233,424
Exclusive of water rights which would cost about      25,000

                                                   $258,424
   The diameters estimated by him were  16, 12, 8, 6, 5, 4, 3 and
2 inches, a large portion of the whole being below 5 inches di-
ameter ;  the  main  conducting pipe  ten  miles long and 16 inch
diameter.  This  pipe is of a new construction,  made  of sheet
iron rivetted like steam boilers, and  lined outside and in with a
thick coat of cement.  The pipe appears well, is said to be per-
fectly secure from rust,  and free from  all impurities or obstruc-
tions to affect the water; and for these reasons requires less diam-
eter.  But as it has not been fully proved of such large diameters
as would be necessary for  the Mains, the Committee have not 
24
felt justified from present information  in recommending it to the
City.  It may be worthy of further consideration.
   The next, and a very important question is, whether the water
works should be  the property of the City or  the  property of a
private Company.
   Mr. Joseph Battin made a proposition to the Committee to fur-
nish the City with water: he  agreeing to take all  the stock of
the Company except $50,000 which  he wished to be taken by
the citizens; or he would  take less if preferred.
   His plan  was to pump the water from Mill River  below the
dam at the Gun  Factory by steam power;—to erect guard gates
to keep out  the salt water;—to raise  the  water  through a cast
iron  twenty inch  main  'to  a Receiving  Reservoir on the hill
sufficient to distribute it with a head of  110 feet;'—to convey
thence by brick  aqueduct  along the margin of the  hill to a dis-
tributing Reservoir, in the rear of the dwelling of Mrs.  Hillhouse.
   The proposed Receiving and Distributing Reservoirs, contain-
ing together from four to six acres, to be connected  by a brick
conduit; the water to be conveyed  to the City in a sixteen-inch
main going through the City 1£ miles, to be distributed by
     1£  miles    12 inch pipe.
     1   mile     10 "     "
     2   miles     6 "     "
     4     »       4 "     "
In all ten miles,  including sixteen-inch main 1£ miles.
   Mr. Battin at first  thought  the  cost  of  the  plan  would be
$250,000, afterwards $300,000; but  in his last  communication
was  "not fully prepared to state the amount for which he  would
do the work and furnish the materials," but should the City give
it out by contract, " would desire to propose for it, to  furnish all
or any part of the capital."
   If he took the Stock of the Company,  he proposed to furnish
the City with water for extinguishing fires for  $40  per annum
for each hydrant without stint.   " The price for Fountains to be
determined by conference  between the parties."
   There have been some other propositions of a similar charac-
ter, but too vague and indefinite to require notice. 
(Note to paye 24.)
  The following letter, in addition to Mr. Battin's former pro-
posals, was received after the Report was printed :
                                    Newark, Feb. 11, '53.
My Dear  Sir,
  Some weeks since I sent to his Hon. Mayor Skinner, a state-
ment  of the  plan  I  suggested  for supplying  your city with
water, (in answer to enquiries by him.)
  In addition to that I wish you would be so kind as to present
the following:
  I will contract to do the whole of the work as  proposed in
that communication, (adding two miles of Pipe,) for the sum of
$350,000, and furnish all or any part  of the Capital  to  do  the
work.   The  city shall have the right to take the works any time
within ten vears, by paying to the company 15 per cent advance
on  the cost, and securing to the company an interest of at least
8 per cent up to the time of so taking it.  The cost of water
shall  not exceed (to private  consumers) the  average of  the
three lowest  rates paid by cities of the United States.
   Should they think fit to give us the work, we can give satis-
factory security that it shall be faithfully performed, and in the
best manner.
                    Very respectfully yours, &c,
                                          Joseph  Battin.
   Henry  Peck, Esq., New Haven, Conn. 
 
25
  The principal object of introducing water into the City,  is in
the language of  the Resolution appointing the Committee, that
" of supplying the City with  water for the extinguishment of
fires."   The great  object is to provide for the Fire Department,
a copious supply of  water, every where accessible where  it is
most needed to protect the City from conflagration.  So import-
ant is this object, that without it, all other objects, however de-
sirable,  would hardly be  sufficient  to enlist the whole City in
favor of the enterprize.
  The Engines and Apparatus of the Fire Department, are owned
by the City : and it seems highly important that the Water De-
partment, which will  supply the chief element of  its efficiency,
should be owned by the City also:  that there should be no stint
or restriction on  the free use of the  water for the public service:
that the Fire Department may use the water by hose,  by hy-
drants, by engines,  in any manner and  in any necessary  quanti-
ties, to extinguish fires ; to prove the machines ; to drill the com-
panies by practice;  without  being responsible to any  private
interest, but only to the City itself;  which owns the apparatus—
which can have no interest but the  public good ; and which  for
its own safety and prosperity, wants an efficient Fire Department,
and an abundant, unrestricted supply of water.
   It is obvious that where the water works are owned by  a pri-
vate company, the profits must be its sole object, and these profits,
especially if steam power is used,  must depend upon the small-
ness of the  quantity of water  used  as well as upon  the amount
of the price paid for it:—that the  interest of the  company and
the interest of the City must  be in frequent collision :—that the
Fire Department will often be in  controversy  with the water
company ;—and that  this dependence of the City upon a private
interest, will materially diminish the benefits of both the Water
and Fire Departments, and cause  the  City much trouble and
detriment.
   The  interests of the citizens and the prosperity  of the City
require  that  the water should be  supplied in liberal quantities
and at the lowest rates.
   The  object of a private company must be to  make money.
The smaller its supplies,  and  the higher  its  rates,—the  less its
                            4 
26
 expenditures for substantial and durable works, and the less libe-
 ral its policy to a certain extent;—the greater  its profits.  No
 company can be formed, or can exist, unless on a basis of ma-
 king such profits, as capitalists are now finding for  their invest-
 ments,  which profits are known  to be great.   It is obvious that
 such a company cannot and will not furnish as liberal supplies at
 as low a rate as the City.  For the City does not want to make
 great profits.  It only wants an income to pay the interest of its
 investment, with such a moderate surplus, as will gradually make
 a Sinking Fund to pay  its debt.   The City can afford to receive
 even less than  its interest.   It formerly paid  $3000 per annum
 for the limited supply of the old canal, which was accessible but
 to a small portion of the City.   It can afford to pay twice that
 sum, for an abundant  supply throughout the  City, not  to be
 pumped  from the old Canal or sunken Cisterns,  but to  flow by
 its own force, not only  to fill the Engines without labor, but  in
 many places to  be thrown in resistless quantities directly upon
 the  fire  itself;  thus  spontaneously doing  the work of  many
 Engines.
  Besides, if a company own the works, the City will be obliged
 to pay this or a greater annual sum to the company, depending
 on  the  number of  Hydrants and the quantity of  water  used.
 And this sum would be gradually increasing,  as  the City  by its
 increase should require  more  water and  more Hydrants.   Thus
 the City would be subjecting itself to  an annual increasing trib-
 ute to swell the profits of a private  corporation,  without any
 share in the  profits, without any prospect of ultimate redemption
 except at great costs, without control, and without the advantage
 of using its own property in its own way for its own interest.
  After the works are  fairly established  it is not probable that
 the excess of the interest over the income will long remain greater
 than the annual sum the City would be obliged to pay to a com-
 pany.  And  we may safely infer from the experience of other
 cities, that the income  will gradually increase till  it  equals  or
 exceeds the  interest.   Thus if the City own the works it will
 annually pay less and less, till  the  works become  a source  of
revenue instead of expense;  whereas its payment to a company
will be greater and greater without any acquisition of property. 
27
  The Fairmount works, as before mentioned, now produce an
income  sufficient to pay the interest of the whole cost, the an-
nual expense, and a handsome surplus to the Sinking Fund.
  The income of the Cochituate works the first year after they
were in full operation was $97,943, about one-third of the inter-
est ;—the second year 160,946, over one-half of  the interest;—
and  the  third year $190,000,  over  two-thirds of the  interest;
and  the income is expected to increase  in a similer ratio, till in a
few  years it will equal or exceed the interest.
  The Croton  works, notwithstanding their immense  expense,
in 1852,  ten years from their establishment, received an income
of $520,000, equal to about five-sevenths of  the interest, which
is $702,000.
  Both the Croton and  Cochituate are built without  regard to
expense, and cost far more in comparison than ours will.  But if
our works should pay in no greater proportion than these, the city
would pay less  for excess of interest over income even the first
five  years,  than it would pay a company ; and after that, less and
less, till free from its annual tax for interest, and finally  free from
its debt: and would then possess a great and valuable  property,
imposing no burden, and contributing immensely to its prosperity.
  It is said the City may now make a loan at 5 per cent, interest;
the interest on $300,000 is $15,000.   Suppose one-third of this
paid by  the income the first year as in Boston,  the City would
have to provide for $10,000, two-thirds of  the interest, the first
year—for $7,500, one-half  the interest,  the  second year, about
the sum  a company would require,—for $5,000, one-third of the
interest the third year,—less than a company would  require ; and
so on, in five or six years paying on an average less for interest
than it would have to pay a company.   After that its condition
would be far more favorable.
  Another view of the subject is presented by the following state-
ment prepared by one of the Committee skilled in finance.
  It is admitted without doubt that the bonds of the City paya-
ble in twenty to forty years, will  now sell for  premiums from
12£  to 15  per cent., at which rates, on $300,000,  they would
produce  $37,500 at 12£  per cent.;—$40,000 at 13£ ;—$45,000
at 15 per cent.   Which sums being put at compound interest as
a sinking Fund will cancel  the whole  debt, in periods  between 
28
thirty-two and thirty-six years, as will be seen by the following
calculations.
     12£  per cent. Premium on $300,000 is       $37,500
     13£   "    "      "     » $300,000 is         40,000
     15    "    "      "     " $300,000 is         45,000
37,500
37,500
37,500

40,000
40,000
40,000
40,000

45,000
45,000
45,000
45,000
How interest ;
  computed.
Compound interest
  annuallv in
5	.i 1	Q	O	£
\ 11 10 25j 35! 8		22 6	76,000 160,893 300,000	6
11.10		22	80,000	«
25			171,625	"
30 34	6	28	229,664 300,000	••
11 25 30 32	10 6	22 20	90,000 193,073 258,375 300,000	((
How interest is	X	i	.	3
computed.	3j	c ~		s
	J^L	S' Q		<
Payable semi-				
annually,. ...	n	8	211 75,000	
" " "	25			164,000
" " "	35	3	21	300,000
cc a ti	11	8	21	80,000
CC ti ((	25			175,084
cc ti tt	30			235,297
" " "	34	1	8	300,000
« «	11	8	22	90,000
cc it a	25 30			196,969 264,719
u ti it	32	1	12	300,000
   Another statement prepared by a member of the Committee,
shows the results of  paying to a company an annual  increasing
sum for hydrants as proposed at $40 each.
   Commencing with 130 Hydrants, the  least number supposed
necessary,* and increasing 10 every year for twenty-five years, the
aggregate cost at $40 each would be $250,000, and the sums paid
computed at  6 per cent, compound interest, would  amount to
$513,484 52.  It will be seen  that at a price for each Hydrant
but little more than half of that assumed, the  amount would equal
the estimated cost of the whole water works.
  The following calculation may have slight errors, but is substantially correct.
130 Hydrants at $40=85,200 am'ts. at comp'nd interest in 25 years to $22,322 90
140
150
160
170
180
190
200
210
220
10 years,
  5,600
  6,000
  6,400
  6,800
  7,200
  7,600
  8,000
  8,400
  8,800

$70,000
24
23
22
21
20
19
18
17
16
  22,679 27
  22,923 82
  23,068 00
  23,122 44
  23,096 73
  22,999 90
  22,840 02
  22,624 54
  22,360 30

$228,037 92
* The number of Hydrants in Boston is 1110. 
29
Brought forward, $70,000						$228,037 92
230 Hydrants at $40=$9,200		am'ts.	at comp'nd interest	in 15 years to $22,053 47		
240	" 9,600	cc	" "	14	"	' 21,709 74
250	" 10,000	cc	cc cc	13	"	" 21,334 26
260 "	" 10,400	cc	cc cc	12	CC	" 20,931 73
270 «	"V 10,800	cc	cc cc	11	"	" 20,440 79
280	" 11,200	"	CI it	10	cc	" 20,057 84
290 «	" 11,600	"	it ti	9	"	" 19,597 94
300	12,000	"	"	8	ti	" 19,126 17
310	" 12,400	"	a «	7	"	" 18,661 68
320	" 12,800	cc	CC <(	6	CC	" 18,157 03
330	" 13,200	"	cc cc	5	cc	" 17,664 57
340	" 13,600	cc	CC it	4	((	" 17,169 68
350	" 14,000	"	u u	3	cc	" 16,674 22
360	" 14,400	cc	It *£	2	cc	" 16,179 84
370	" 14,800	"	CC «	1	u	" 15,688 00
25 years,	$250,000					$513,484 52
   From these two statements it appears that if the City own the
works, and issue its bonds for $300,000 to construct them, paya-
ble in thirty-six years;  it may  receive from $37,500 to $45,000.
as a premium, which sum* put at compound interest, as a sink-
ing fund,  will pay the whole cost of $300,000 before it becomes
due.  The City will  have to  pay the annual interest and ex-
penses,  but will have the income  of the water rates, to pay with ;
and in less than thirty-six years, the City paying only the interest,
will own the whole water works free from debt or incumbrance!
   But if a company own the works, the City must pay  the com-
pany $40 a year for each hydrant,  beginning with 130 costing
$5200 the first year, and gradually increasing, till long before the
thirty-six  years, it will have paid more than the whole cost of the
works,—including interest, more than double the cost,—and will
then own  not a cent in the works !
   A statement  might also  be  made showing the effect of an
abundant  supply of water in diminishing the rates of Insurance;
in greatly diminishing the losses by fires; in  multiplying steam
engines, and all the various kinds of business, and labor connected
with them; in  rendering the  City more desirable as a place of
residence  to strangers, thus increasing the population, the wealth
and value of Real Estate in the City.
   The losses by a single fire (the great fire of 1835) in the  City
of New York,  before the establishment  of  the  Croton Works,
  * The least premium mentioned, 12£  per cent., will cancel the debt in less than
36 years—a  less or greater premium will lengthen or shorten the time in proportion- 
30
 would  alone pay for all the immense expense of these works.
 In a time not far distant a single fire in New Haven may destroy
 property of greater value than  the  cost of our  proposed works,
 which property with the water works might be saved.
   Another member of the Committee acquainted with  the streets
 and business of the City,  has  prepared the following estimate of
 the probable income  for the first three years.

               Estimated Receipts for Three  Years.
 1st Year.—Water Rents from  Railroads, from $1000 to 1500,     .    .     $1,000
 Estimating that twenty miles of distributing pipe are laid in the City, and
  that there are within these limits  2,000 dwelling-houses, and 250  stores,
  making  2,250, from which if one-sixth rent  the water, 375 in number, at
  rates varying from $5 to $20 each, average $10,      ....      8,750
 Water Rents from Hotels, Manufacturers, Livery Stables, and private sta-
  bles, 1st year,...........1,500
 Rests from Bathing Houses, Gardens, and all other purposes,     .    .        750

                                                                   $7,500
 One hundred and forty Hydrants for use of the City, one at the intersection
  of every street within the limits of twenty miles, at  §40 each,—this price
  is based on what is supposed the City would be charged for each Hydrant
  by a Water Company, if supplied in that way, and would be charged  in
  current expenses,..........5,600

 For one year,............$12,600

 2d Year.—Water Rents from  all  Railroad Companies  for the year, estima-
  ted at from one to two thousand dollars, say......1 300
 Water Rents from Dwelling Houses and Stores within same limits, including
  a low estimate for increase of buildings, 2175 dwelling-houses, and 275
  stores, making 2400, from which estimating that one-third receive the wa-
  ter, 800  buildings in number, at from $5 to $20 each, averaging $10,        8,000
Rents from Manufacturers, also from Hotels,  Livery  Stables, and private
  stables, for the 2d year,.........2 600
For Bathing Houses, Gardens, &c,      .......1 qqO
 One hundred and fifty Hydrants for City use, at $37 50,                   5  625

For two years,...........$30,025

Zd Year.—Water Rents from all Railroad Companies,   ....      1 500
Water Rents from Dwelling Houses and Stores, 2225 dwellings, and 275
  stores, making 2,500, from this mumber estimate one-half, 1250 buildings,
  furnished at from $5 to $20  each, averaging  $10,     ...         12  500
Water Rents from Hotels, Manufacturers, and public and private stables,      3  500
 Water Rents for Bathing Houses, Gardens, <fec,   ....          l  500
            for one hundred and sixty Hydrants for City use, at $35 each,   5,600

For three years,...........$54,625 
31
   The interest on $300,000 for three years is $54,000, and from
 the  above estimate the receipts  exceed the interest for three
 years $625.
   But the income is not the only consideration.  The great in-
 crease of the wealth and resources of the City that will result from
 a liberal  and cheap supply of water; the augmentation of  its
 productive capital and  productive industry;—of its taxable per-
 sonal property and the value of its taxable real estate, immensely
 increasing the resources of the City, and its ability to provide for
 its wants, and to pay its obligations, present  considerations that
 make any income from the water rates, or any probable water tax
 comparatively unimportant.  When the  water shall  be liberally
 and  cheaply  supplied to the citizens and  their families, to public
 houses, schools, private and public baths, gardens and fountains,
 stores, manufactories, machinists, steam engines,  rail roads, ship-
 ping, &c, the income from the works will  indeed exceed expec-
 tations ; but  the impulse that will be given to the growth of the
 City, to the sources  of its business and wealth and prosperity will
 exceed all calculations.
   A project involving such great interests should not be allowed
 to go out of  the control of the City; and the public health, the
 public safety, and the public  prosperity, should not  be hazarded
 by entrusting them to a system conducted only to promote pri-
 vate interest, instead of a system  conducted  only for the public
 good.
   Some favor the idea of allowing  the works to be constructed
 and  owned by a company at first, with a condition that they
 may be ultimately purchased by the City.  Whatever differences
 of opinion there may be on  this  question,   there is no doubt
 among those who have  examined the subject,  but the City ought
 to own the works in the end.
   The  first reason for  entertaining  this idea is  that the  City is
 not willing to undertake the works.   This  question  can only be
decided by submitting it with all the facts and considerations to
the City for its decision.  The City ought certainly to have the
opportunity to make this decision.
  The second reason is, that it will be more economical.  But
will it be sound economy in the end ? 
32
   The interest of a company under such  circumstances would
 be to construct the works in the cheapest manner for a temporary
 purpose ;  to produce the best income on the cost, for a few years,
 till purchased by the City.  The City  would then be  obliged to
 pay  the costs, the interest, and the profits  of  the contractors
 which  are sometimes enormous, for works cheaply constructed,
 probably in such a condition  that they would have to be rebuilt
 at an expense far greater, than if the City had in the  first place
 built them in a substantial and perfect manner.
   In addition to  this  no  company would be willing  to make a
 contract to surrender to the City at any time unless with the pro-
 viso that it should be paid not  only for its own  estimate of the
 costs and interest, but a large sum for the risk  it had encountered.
   No company will undertake the work unless with the prospect
 of large profits in some way.  If a company can  make it so prof-
 itable,—why not the City ?
   It is supposed by some that a  company can build and manage
 the works at less expense than  the  City would.  Undoubtedly
 they  can, and probably would, for the  reasons before stated, be-
 cause their  works would  be  less perfect and substantial.  But
 there is no  sound reason why the  City of New Haven cannot
 build as good works as  any company, and as cheap of the same
 quality.  In other cities there may have been an expensive mode
 of doing public  business, which has given rise  to this opinion.
 But  not so  has been the practice in New Haven.  Its  public
 works have been as well built, and at as little cost, as they could
 have  been built by individuals or a  private company.   Was not
 this the case  with  our new Alms House, our new McAdamized
 road to Westville, our fence round our  Public Square, our walls
 and iron railing  round our public Cemetery?  Any person who
 will examine these works and their bills of costs, will be satis-
 fied  that rarely, if ever, were works of equal value built at so
little expense, either by  public or private funds.
  The whole business of constructing water works has become
by experience so well  understood, that  the  costs can  be ascer-
tained beforehand with great precision; and  contracts  can be
made  and executed without risk, and without loss, by a  city as
well as by individuals.   The  more this  matter is examined, the 
33
more it will prove that a city, at least New Haven, is quite as
likely to build its water works well and economically, and for its
own permanent welfare,  as  a private  corporation, whose whole
object is, by its management, or by  its contracts of enormous
profits, or in some other mode, to make  money.
  The opinion that the water works should belong to the City,
and not to a private corporation, is sustained by the advice of al-
most every person of experience,  who has been consulted.
  The following letter from  Nicholas Dean, Esq., the President
of the Croton Water Department,  New York, a gentleman of
great experience and great  ability, presents the question  in a
strong light, and  most  forcibly  expresses the general  opinion
received from other men of science, and practical experience who
have been consulted.
  In reply to a letter asking his opinion, 1st, whether the water
works should belong to a company, or to the City;  2d, what
were the chief causes of the waste of  water in New York ; 3d,
whether a company could more effectually prevent waste than a
city; he writes as follows :

                "Croton Aqueduct Department, New York, Jan. 21, 1853.
" Dear Sir,
     " Your favor of the 19th inst. was received on the 20th, and
I take the earliest moment to reply briefly to the questions pro-
pounded.
  " To the first, I answer without hesitation, and most emphati-
cally, that the supply of water  cannot with safety be placed in
any other hands than those of the City itself.   No act of incorpo-
ration of a company could be so drawn as to protect all the inter-
ests, public and private, involved  in the daily and regular deliv-
ery of this most indispensable element of business, of health and
of  life.   The pecuniary returns of  such company,—and  this
must always be  its governing motive,—would often conflict with
the public necessities, and throw  obstacles in the way of the Ci-
ty government in conflagrations, and especially in seasons of dis-
ease and pestilence, when the almost  unlimited use of  water be-
comes necessary.
                              5 
34
  " London and Baltimore are now suffering the consequences of
being subject to the dominion of companies chartered to furnish
water to  those cities.   With the  former I have been in corres-
pondence, on this  subject, for  more  than  three years past, and
know the efforts made to purchase out the  different water com-
panies heretofore  created  there.  A  Parliamentary commission
has been raised for this object, aided by a number of the most in-
fluential citizens, but up to the date of my last advices, no satis-
factory progress had been made.   The prices  demanded as an
equivalent for their privileges were so enormous, as even to stag-
ger the wealth of  London, and its inhabitants are yet compelled
to receive the weekly quantity doled  out by these companies,—
while its quality is often  disgustingly filthy.   Could the  city
have succeeded in the proposed arrangement, it was intended to
have built an entire new set of works, after the plan of our Cro-
ton Aqueduct, taking the water  from the Thames fifty miles
above the city, giving a head of one  hundred and  seventy feet,
from a source comparatively pure.   So also in Baltimore, similar
efforts have been  made, and are  still being made;  delegations
from the city councils have twice visited  us in relation to this
matter, and the unanimous opinion of these  gentlemen, derived
from experience, is  against the  policy of ever  committing so im-
portant a subject to the control and supervision of a company.
  " In my opinion, it would be just as wise to trust the daily food
of your citizens, their bread, and their beef, to be supplied under
a special charter granted for that purpose.
  " With the experience now had in Hydraulic engineering,  the
cost of every portion of the work necessary to  supply your city
with water, may be  known with great accuracy; the whole is
reduced almost to a scale of prices, and the city government can
do the work as expeditiously, and as cheaply as a company could
do it; wherefore,  then, place a work of such magnitude, connec-
ted in the future so intimately with  the daily life, comfort, and
convenience of every citizen, in any  hands  beyond the immedi-
ate and instant control of the municipal government ?  Its reve-
nues to the  Treasury should  not, from the  commencement, be
measured by dollars and cents, though these would in  a brief
space, no doubt, equal the interest upon the cost,—but rather in 
35
reference to its present and prospective influence upon the growth
of your City, and  the  productive  industry  of its inhabitants;
these, especially the latter, would be increased  to  an extent not
imagined even by the most  sanguine.   The  few steam engines
running in this city in 1842, previous to the introduction of the
waters of  the Croton, have been multiplied till  they reach many
hundreds, and thousands of our people are fed and  clothed by la-
bor dependent on them, while the  taxable value of the personal
estate connected with and derived from them, is indicated  by
millions!
   " Such  are the general and enlarged views  which should enter
into,—and, may I not add,—govern your deliberations.   Should,
unfortunately, other counsels prevail, and the City  permit such a
franchise to pass beyond its  control, I  predict  that in ten years
but one expression of universal regret will be heard.
   " In regard to the waste of water, I may say, that our chief dif-
ficulties have arisen from erroneous city legislation  in the early
stages of the distribution of the water; the  subject was imper-
fectly understood; the sources of supply were  thought to be in-
exhaustible, and as  a consequence,  more and  larger  taps were
granted to consumers than their legitimate wants  required; free
street hydrants, to the extent  of  many hundreds,  were  placed
throughout the city, and left continually running, and those little
fixtures on the  side-walk  in  front of every dwelling,  known as
window, or street washers,  were multiplied  beyond precedent,
with leave by ordinance to use them, ad libitum, before 8  A. M.,
and after 7 P. M., during the whole  summer.   These  are but a
few of the blunders originally committed, which  with lapse of
time, have assumed the character of vested rights, and are now
difficult to abate, or  amend.   The  result  is, that the estimate
made by the Commissioners under whose directions the aqueduct
was commenced, of twenty-two gallons of water per diem, to
each individual, has grown and  expanded,  till  we are now serv-
ing nearly ninety gallons!
   ■' In naming the preceding sources of waste,  I have  purposely
omitted those arising from our immense  mercantile  marine, and
occurring along our wharves, at ferries, and steam boat berths;
so also, of underground connection of buildings with public sew- 
36
ers, through which  enormous waste of water is effectually con-
cealed,—because these would not yet apply to your City.
  " I have made this reply to your letter as  full as other duties
will, at this moment, permit, and only add, that well devised city
ordinances will more effectually control  the use and abuse of all
the benefits to be derived from a full  supply of water, than can
any by-laws,  or rules emanating from a corporate company.
            u Most truly and respectfully, Sir,
                       " Your Friend and Servant,
                             "NICHOLAS  DEAN, PresH.
  "Hon. A.  N.  Skinner, Mayor, cy-c."

  Of a  similar character  are  the  following  extracts from  two
communications made  to the Common Council  of  Boston, by
Hon. Samuel A. Elliot, Mayor of that city, at the time the water
question  was  there under discussion:

  In a Report of the Committee on the introduction of pure and
soft water, made in January, 1838, the following remarks occur:
  " The question is whether it is expedient for the City to under-
take the  work, or to entrust the execution of  it to a private com-
pany, with the privilege of purchasing their  rights whenever it
should be deemed  expedient.   On this  point the Committee en-
tertain no doubt* that it is best for the City to execute the work
by its own agents,  and to have the control and superintendence
of it from its commencement  to  its completion.   They believe
that it is too  important a business to be suffered to be  affected by
the calculations of  private interest, which it is certainly possible
might be injurious  to the  permanent character of a work which
ought to be begun  with reference to the  future wants of a great
and growing city.  If, in  order to  prevent this evil, it should be
stipulated that the work  should be done to the satisfaction of
agents appointed by the City, there would  be  another  danger,
viz.: of collision between different interests,  and of delay in the
prosecution of the business which, if undertaken, ought to be
completed as speedily as consistent with  the durability of  a

  * It is intimated in another sentence that the Committee were not unanimous
though nearly so, on this point. 
37
structure designed for the benefit of posterity as well as ourselves.
Another reason why the City should undertake it, independently
of all private interests, is that the expense of the operation to the
community would be less.   Should the City have the privilege
of purchasing, if they should find it advisable,  it would probably
be on the usual condition annexed to such privileges, of paying
10 per centum  per annum  on the investment.  But if  the City
perform the work, they can, without question, obtain the money
at five per centum per annum;  and thus, if at the end  of ten
years the  City should purchase the works, it  would be at a loss
of five per centum for ten years on the cost, which, whether paid
by one corporation or the other, would  probably not fall  far short
of a million and a half of dollars.  In ten years,  therefore, the
work may cost the City $750,000 more,  if performed by a pri-
vate corporation than if done by itself.  If it should prove possi-
ble to accomplish it for less money, still the argument is valid in
proportion to the amount actually expended."
   " But it may be contended that it  may never be necessary to
purchase  the rights of the corporation.  In that case the citizens
would always  be liable to a higher rate of taxation  [for  water]
than  the  City would charge; as  it is not to be supposed  that  a
private corporation would  supply the necessary quantity at as
liberal a rate as the City, who can have no other interest than to
provide water at  as low a charge as will cover the necessary
expenses."
   In a subsequent Report, presented in September, 1839, the
following passage  occurs:
   " The only other objection of which the Committee are  aware,
which has been urged against the plan of this great work, is that
it would  be  done with  more  economy by a  private company;
and that if the City perform it, it will at a loss of all the outlay
which would be saved by  individual prudence.   But it must be
recollected that a  private company would not  undertake a work
of this kind without a pretty sure prospect of profit, and that
consequently it must be guaranteed  against  competition for  a
term of years.   It would, therefore, be for its interest to construct
the works of such size and strength  only as would  be sufficient
for that  period, and when the  public came  into possession of 
38
them, they might require almost entire renewal.   But supposing
they were constructed in the best  manner, it  is clear that there
must  be a profit secured to the company, or at least  they must
calculate on it with some confidence ;  whereas,  if the City do
the work, they may reap all the benefit, or  save  the charges
which are to make the profit of individuals.  Then  the work is
of such a character, and involves so many interests  connected
with the streets, the Fire Department, and various other branches
of the public  service,  that if entrusted to  private hands, there
would be constant danger of unpleasant collisions, and injurious
controversies with  the City authorities.   It ought, therefore, in
the opinion of the  Committee  to be confided  to the care of the
same persons who are entrusted with the other public interests."

  From  all the persons who have  been written to, without an
exception, similar opinions have  been expressed.   It is but fair
to add that, in two instances, out of many, the opinion was  ex-
pressed that a company might  prevent waste when  the  supply
was small.  But both  still expressed the opinion that the City
ought to own the works.
  In view of the information before them, the Committee are of
opinion, that the supply of the  City with water is a matter of too
great importance to  be  placed under the control of private inter-
est ; that the efficiency of the  Fire Department, the interests of
the citizens, the health and prosperity of the City, and both  pri-
vate and public economy require, that the  City should  keep so
important a trust under its own control. 
39
     In conclusion, the Committee are of opinion:

   1st.  That the water works should be constructed, and owned,
and controlled by the City.
   2d.  That  water power is to be preferred to  steam power for
this purpose.
   3d.  That  of the various plans examined by the Committee,
those described in this Report as,
   No.  1. Mill River by water power,
   No.  2.  Quinnipiac by Whitneyville,
   No.  3.  Quinnipiac by Cedar Hill,
are from present information, to be preferred; but that it may be
wise to defer a final decision between them, for further consider-
ation and investigation.

   The Committee  recommend;—that a  City meeting be  called
within four weeks  after  the publication of this Report, and that
the following propositions be  submitted for the decision of the
citizens : that on the final vote the polls be open from 8 A. M. to
5 P. M., to receive the ballots, on which the words Yes or No, or
words  equivalent, as Yea or Nay be printed or written; and that
two boxes be provided, marked  respectively No. 1, for the first
proposition, and No. 2, for the second proposition; that the votes
be counted in the manner usual at the annual City elections, and
the result certified by the Presiding Officer to the City Clerk, for
record.

   First Proposition.—Are you in favor of procuring a supply of
water for the City of New Haven, to be brought at the expense
of the  City, from the Quinnipiac, or Mill River, or elsewhere as
shall hereafter be decided; on the condition that those of the in-
habitants, who may elect to take  and use the same, shall  be re-
quired  to pay for the  water such reasonable tax  as shall hereafter
be  fixed  and established by a Board of Water Commissioners
that shall be created; and on the condition that contracts can be
made for the execution of the entire plan that  shall be selected,
for a sum not exceeding $325,000 ?*

  * The sum of $300,000 was first adopted, but afterwards changed to $325,000,
to provide for contingencies and part of the interest for one or two years. 
40
  Second Proposition.—Do you hereby vote to instruct the pres-
ent Water Committee to  apply to the Legislature, in behalf of
the City, for such additions to the Charter of the City, as shall
provide  for the transfer of the rights and privileges of the New
Haven Water Company to the City; shall prescribe the mode of
election,  tenure of office, and powers  of a  Board of Water
Commissioners who shall  construct and manage  the works;
shall prohibit  any moneys that shall be set apart for a Sinking
Fund to extinguish  the water debt,  from being  applied to  any
other purpose; and shall  grant such other powers as shall be
proper to carry into effect the objects expressed in the first propo-
sition ?

     All which is respectfully  submitted.

                               A. N.  Skinner,
                               Henry White,
                               Ezra  C. Reed,
                               Charles A.  Ingersoll,
                               Matthew G. Elliott,
                               Henry Hotchkiss,
                               Wm. H. Ellis,
                               Henry Peck,
                               Eli as Gilbert.
  February 10, 1853. 
•
             ENGINEER'S REPORT
To the Committee of the City of New Haven for Supplying Water.
 To Hon. A. N. Skinner, Chairman ; and Henry White, Ezra
   C. Read, Henry Hotchkiss, Henry Peck,  Wm. H.  Ellis,
   Elias Gilbert, Charles A. Ingersoll, and Matthew G. Elliott,
   Esquires, Water Committee of the  City of New Haven.

   The Engineer to whom was committed the surveys and  inves-
 tigations respecting the means and expense of supplying the
 city of  New Haven with water, respectfully Reports—
   There are around New Haven, and within reach, several
 sources of moderate  supply, in addition  to the more copious
 streams, and which, at first view, might  appear  entitled to  a
 prominent attention. On the East, is the Saitonstall's Lake, that
 might be made, although at much expense, to receive, as a reser-
 voir, the waters of Farm River, affording together, upon con-
jecture, eight millions of gallons* per day.
   On the North-West, distant  but one  mile, are the Beaver
 Ponds, covering a considerable fraction of a square mile, and
 having  in  their least copious  condition  a daily  flow closely
 approximating  to 2,600,000 gallons of apparently pure water.
 To the  North, above Mount Carmel, lie the head streams of Mill
 River, twelve miles distant, but pure and of sufficient elevation
to flow  down by gravity to the amount of two or three million
gallons, under sufficient head, and  capable of increase by arti-
ficial, though expensive collection and storage, to a yet larger
amount, probably four or five millions.
  * By gallons in this Report, the standard of the United States (231 cubic inches)
is always to be understood, unless otherwise specified. 
                            42

  Thirteen miles to the  North-East,  is the stream miscalled
"Muddy Brook," affording at its minimum two and a half mill-
ions of pure water at an  elevation, if taken out above Tylers
Mill, sufficient for conduction and for service of the city.   And
in addition might be mentioned the streams  at or around West
Rock and from the highlands of Woodbridge.   But a sufficient
reason will appear for bestowing on most of the foregoing only
the slightest attention.
  For, in the first place, as respects Saitonstall's Lake, the inter-
vention  of a navigable water cuts it off, together with the Farm
River, from competition with supplies far more copious as well
as convenient  in situation and distance.   The Lake,  in  the
highest  stage  to which it might be brought if made a storing
reservoir, would be  but 25 or 30 feet above  mean tide.
  With respect to the Beaver Ponds, also,  there would  be  no
alternative but to elevate by steam,  and two  mill privileges
would be destroyed  and a third injured by the abduction  of the
water,  if taken at all it  should be below the factory of E. W.
Blake, Esq., in union with other waters.
  The waters  from above Mount Carmel have the great advant-
age of a natural head.  They might be conducted to  a reser-
voir upon the  slope of West Rock  and augmented on their
passage thither by several brooks or springs.   But the route is
long and costly, and the  number of proprietors to be arranged
with  is  a second  discouragement—at least  until  some other
means of supply shall have been attempted  in vain.
  Another resource is Muddy Brook, which has been made  the
subject of examination and an estimate that  will herein be given,
on account of its valuable property of supplying its own head
for conduction and  distribution, as well  as its capacity to be
made auxiliary to  another and far more  prominent stream.
There are, however, at this time, five mill  privileges improved
below the place from which this flow must be taken out, all of
which would  be destroyed  by the supposed  appropriation of
the water.
   But there is an obvious and prominent fact and circumstance
which throws all the smaller supplies into  the shade, except as
they  may be  made auxiliary to the larger.  For  it should be 
43
considered in the outset, that after passing the strict necessities
of the person and of the household, the quantities in which this
element of life  and comfort will be used for purposes of salu-
brity, neatness  and luxury, will be increased  a hundred fold
when it comes self-conveyed to the chamber or the garden, and
may be thrown in refreshing and purifying abundance upon the
sidewalks,  streets, foliage  and buildings.  It should be consid-
ered, also, that  what is now  a  desideratum simply is hereafter
certainly to be a commanding necessity for all coming time, and
that the demand will augment with that growing population to
which the execution of this project will itself largely contrib-
ute.  The increase of this city   from eight  thousand  to  the
present twenty-five thousand,  lies in  the compass of a brief
memory, and of those who shall  retain the incipiency  of the
project now under consideration  among their reminiscences,
there are  many, no doubt, who  will  witness the  twenty-five
thousand  grown up to sixty or  eighty thousand.  In  fact it
would be  obviously short-sighted not to look for streams copious
enough for a hundred thousand inhabitants at least, and better
still for two hundred thousand,  if  such can be  improved  for the
present object without an objectional  expense.

                 Amount of Water Required.

   The quantity required for the supply of cities was minutely
discussed  in the ample Reports  of the Engineers, Jervis  and
Johnson,  Water Commissioners for Boston, in 1845, and con-
cluded from the concurrent experience of London and Philadel-
phia, to be on an average of the year thirty gallons to an inhab-
itant and forty gallons at periods  of extraordinary drought and
heat.  The actual  average in  Boston, however, proved to  be,
during the hottest part of 1851, fifty  gallons  to an inhabitant.
In New York it has been  sixty gallons, and has risen in some
days as high as ninety—an expenditure that was  undoubtedly
wasteful.
   The large expenditure in the foregoing cities for street wash-
ing, would not for a long time to  come be required to the same
extent  in New  Haven.   On  the other hand, the deduction 
44
properly due to this may be more than balanced by the quanti-
ties that would be profitably employed and soon become indis-
pensable for the gardens, grounds and foliage, which constitute
one element in  the combination of qualities to which this  city
owes  its celebrity.  From the foregoing facts and considera-
tions, it would seem to be a just inference that a supply of forty
gallons on an average, and of sixty at extraordinary periods, is
not essentially more than a prudent foresight demands, looking
to a supply for twenty-five thousand inhabitants  at this time—
or  one  million of gallons per  day,  and  arranging works  that
may  be pushed to a duty of two and  a half millions—or  the
ordinary supply for sixty-two thousand five hundred  inhabit-
ants—providing also for a future enlargement adequate to supply
one hundred thousand  inhabitants at least, or, perhaps,  two
hundred thousand.   This  would  exceed nearly three  and six
times the capacity of our smaller streams and fountains, but not
of our larger.

              Capacity of the Larger Streams.

   The period at which your Engineer commenced his investi-
gations, proved to be a specially  safe one for the determination
of reliable  quantities, since the flow in  July, August,  and  the
early  part  of September,  in  this  year, has been  less, as  has
appeared by the  united testimonies of the operatives at  the
mills and factories on all the water courses, than in any year of
a long series preceding.
   The  streams,  however, are  almost  universally  occupied
through their lengths by factory  darns, which, throwing down
irregular quantities in  the day and retaining the flow at night,
made the operation  of guaging a laborious and critical  one.
With respect to the Quinnipiac, it was, however, found  that the
suspension of  work from Saturday night to Monday morning,
allowed the entire stream  to pass all the dams  by leakage  and
overflow, except the small branch from Black Pond in Meriden,
which was all retained above the upper factory.
   By repeatedly improving the earliest light of Monday, before
any machinery was in motion, consistent  and  reliable results
were  obtained, and the small branch  above  mentioned  was 
45
guaged separately and added.   By a comparison and average of
three such  guagings made, immediately below  the Quinnipiac
factory, between July 2Gth and August 23d, it appears that the
Quinnipiac, at its minimum flow in the driest  season, may be
relied upon to supply fifty cubic feet per second through the
twenty-four hours, being in round numbers  thirty-two millions
and one-third gallons per day.
   As the flow of Mill River was not sufficient to fill and over-
flow some of the factory dams, it became  necessary to obtain it
from  day to day, through  the twenty-four hours, at some point
near that  from which the water would be  taken.   A position
immediately below the bridge, south of Waite's  dam, was select-
ed, and by a comparison and average of three days in the  close
of July, it  appeared that the Mill River may be relied upon at
that spot for eighteen cubic feet per second ; or, in round  num-
bers,  eleven millions and two-thirds gallons  per day.
   The above measurements were tested by a separate guaging
at the  raceway of Churchill's  factory  and  the leakage and
springs at  the foot  of his dam.   The work  here being uniform
and continued through regular hours from day to day, it was
possible, by a  single guaging, to approximate closely to the nat-
ural flow at that locality.  This  guaging, made on the  30th of
 July, gave fifteen and two-thirds cubic feet per second ;  or over
 nine  and two-thirds millions of gallons per day.
   I may  add  that  Muddy Brook  was visited repeatedly and
 guages taken ; but the  results were  made irregular by  the un-
 equal discharge from the  dams.  All that could be determined
 in a o-eneral way,  proved to be four  cubic feet per  second at
 Tyler's mill—or nearly two millions six hundred thousand gal-
 lons per day as  above stated.
   The main Beaver Pond at its outlet, when not affected it is
 believed by the dam below, was found  to discharge just four
 cubic feet per second, or the same as Muddy Brook.
   The mingled and united waters of the  Beaver Ponds,  and the
 streams coming down from  the North and  West, on  both sides
 of West RocCwere guaged by Mr. Michael  Ritner, Principal
 Assistant  on  the  survey, on the 29th day of September, and
 found to discharge eighteen cubic feet per second ; but rains had 
46
intervened since the drought and the flow was doubtless swelled
by the works above.  Twelve cubic feet per second is probably
a large estimate for the minimum  flow above Jacock's mill,—
and would require confirmation by new and continued guaging
and comparison with the streams whose minimum is known.

       Head required and Size of Conduits and Pipes.

  For buildings it would be sufficient if the effective head were
two or three feet above the highest points required to be sup-
plied.  But for the more copious uses, for fire hydrants and irri-
gation, no attainable amount of head will be excessive.   As the
water must  be  elevated by mechanical means, an  additional
burden is imposed by additional height,  and  the strength of
pipes employed  for distribution must also be in due proportion.
The head attainable in our  circumstances, does  not exceed by
more than twenty feet the lowest elevation perhaps that can be
supposed.  For the present estimate  the former will  be contem-
plated and a sum stated afterward in the way of  deduction that
will reduce the latter.
  The crest and dividing slope between the  Quinnipiac  and
Mill River, along which the waters  of the former are to be con-
ducted for  four  miles, has  an elevation in the  North of  one
hundred and forty feet, descending to one  hundred and thirty-
five in the  South, with one depression of twenty-five feet for
half a mile.   The ridge (Sachem's Hill)  West of  Whitney Ave-
nue,  reaching from Mil! Rock to Sachem's Wood, exhibits  a
crest of from one hundred and twenty to one hundred and fifty-
eight feet above mean tide.   The greatest useful elevation to
which the waters of the Quinnipiac could be thrown by pump-
ing, would be one hundred  and forty feet; which at the reser-
voir by the  Toll Gate is reduced to  one  hundred  and thirty-five
feet, and  at times to one  hundred  and  thirty, and  at the city
centre one hundred  and twenty-five to one hundred and thirty
above mean tide, according to the condition of the reservoir.
  But in  fires this head would  be diminished yet more, some ten
feet, by the greater velocity in  the pipes.   At an extreme depres-
sion of the  reservoir, it might be counted as about one hundred
and fifteen feet above mean tide.  The parts of the  city east of 
47
Church street  being  from fourteen to twenty-two feet above
mean tide, and  the western parts from twenty-two  to forty-five,
the head, in case of a great fire, would average about one hundred
feet in the former instance, and about eighty in the latter.
   To give the above  supplies two mains, twenty-one inches in
diameter will be required from the reservoir to the heart of the
city.   A smaller diameter by one inch or more would suffice,
were it not that an incrustation forms in the interior and reduces
the capacity to that extent.   In duplicating the pipes there is
safety ; for if one should fail the other  would  supply in whole
or in part.   A short supply is a calamity unmeasurably less than
absolute privation  even  for  a few hours.   The introduction of
water will  be followed by ranges having an enclosure at the
back where water  is constantly heated by the ordinary fires. In
these no fire can long be maintained safely without the presence
of  the included water,  so  that the absence of water  must
extinguish the fires also.  For these'and similar reasons, extra-
ordinary precautions  against accident must be taken  as respects
every part of the arrangements.
   A  conduit of oval  shape, with diameters of three feet  hori-
zontal and four vertical,  and  with a fall of one foot to the  mile,
will conduct, when half  filled, all the water required for a long
series of years.  It is to be  made of brick eight inches thick,
and well lined with hydraulic cement within.   Its crown will be
covered at least three feet with earth.  In cutting the soft red
sand rock, I propose to use the cut for  the lower half of the
conduit—arching the upper half and lining the whole as above
stated.
                     Modes of Supply.

   The  only modes  that appear to your Engineer  worthy of
special attention, in view of all the  considerations, are the five
following :
   First. To divert the Quinnipiac, or so much as shall  be re-
quired from its present channel into a canal  leading from the
present Quinnipiac factory  to  the  vicinity of North Haven.
From the southern end of  this Canal  to pump the water by
the power of the stream into a reservoir on the ridge west of
the valley, and  convey  it by a conduit to a distributing reser- 
48
 voir, on the brow of the ridge three miles from New Haven,
 near the present Toll gate, on the Hartford Turnpike ; from this
 the distribution will be made by the pipes into  the city,  along
 the turnpike.
   Second. To set back Mill River to  the foot  of Churchill's
 dam, by a new dam and embankment below the present Clock
 Factory—by an open canal  to lead the  stream, or so much as
 shall  be required  through the point of Mill Rock, near the Gun
 Factory, and around the bay of low land to a site back of the
 present dwelling of Eli  Whitney,  Esq.   From this  it  will  be
 pumped by the power of the stream to a reservoir on Sachem's
 Hill,  west of the works to be erected—and thence distributed
 by pipes into the  city, a mile and three quarters distant.
   Third.  To pump  the  water by  steam from  below the  Gun
 Factory into the reservoir upon Sachem's Hill, last mentioned,
 and thence distribute as before.
   Fourth. To take  the requisite supply from the pond above
 Churchill's dam, and conduct it three miles by an open channel
 through Pine Brook Valley,  to a position behind or south of
 Mill Rock, and on  the west of Sachem's Hill, and pump by steam
 power into the reservoir, last mentioned,  through mains ascend-
 ing to the east.
   Fifth. To pump by steam  from the united  streams at West-
 ville into a reservoir upon the Beaver hills, about one mile and
 a half from the centre of distribution, and distribute  by pipes
 along Goffe street or Whalley avenue.
   Before considering these plans separately  in  detail, it  may
 illustrate the general subject to consider  by themselves the two
 items of reservoirs and lifting power.

                       Reservoirs.
   The localities near the Toll house and on Sachem's Hill admit
 of reservoirs of almost any capacity that may be desired.  But
 while it may seem  prudent to  obtain at the outset an area of land
 ample for all the future, it will be unnecessary at present  to
contemplate  more than ten or twelve days supply.  This  may
be done by a construction 550 feet long at high water line, and
of half the breadth, and capable of being  drawn down ten  feet.
The containing embankments are to be  seventeen feet above 
49
bottom  and  twelve feet  wide on top, with  slopes of two to
one  on  the outside and one and a half to one within ; puddled
in the middle above high water line and on the bottom, which,
as well as the inner slopes is paved in brick, set in hydraulic ce-
ment.   Inlet and outlet chambers with  gates and pipes are to be
provided—also a waste well and conduit and  a connecting cul-
vert through that  side bank which by future addition  of the
other half of the square will  become the partition of the  reser-
voir. At present there will be  no partition, but the conduit or
rising mains will be continued  to unite with the distributing
mains in case it shall be necessary to draw off the reservoir for
cleansing.
   By reason of the greater proximity of Sachem's Hill reservoir,
compared with the Quinnipiac  reservoir, a head somewhat less
may be admitted in the former instance, compared with the lat-
ter.  If this is 135 feet, that may be 132, and yet be equally ef-
ficacious, everything considered.
   The site for a reservoir on Beaver  Hills has not been accu-
rately surveyed.  From a rude examination  it seems probable
that the water line  cannot have an equal elevation with  those
before mentioned   by  ten feet, unless at a  largely increased
expense.
Estimate  of Reservoir on Sachem's Hill.
36,000 cubic yards of earth, 13| cents,	. $4,860.00
12,000 cubic yards of puddling, 38| cents,	4,620.00
7,000 cubic yards of puddling, 30 cents,	2,100.00
1,350 cubic yards of paving and lining, $6,	. 8,100.00
Turfing and Facing, .....	1,250.00
Land and Graveling, .....	1,850.00
Influent house and gates, ....	1,500.00
Effluent house and waste well and conduit,	3,250.00
Water channel exterior, ....	100.00
Connecting culvert and gate,	1,640 00
Inlet and outlet pipes and stop cocks,	1,300.00
600 feet conduit for connecting mains,	1,500.00
Pipes and stop cocks for connecting mains,	430.00
Entire cost,	$32,500.00
NATIONmL library of  medicine
      ^ASKiKG'i'ON, £  %  -" 
50
  The Quinnipiac reservoir, although varying in details of earth
and rock, presents very nearly the same items and resulting cost.

              LIFTING POWER AND MACHINERY.

                     1st.  Water Power.

  It has been stated already as an obvious arrangement, in case
the entire control of the Quinnipiac, or of Mill River, shall be
obtained—or, at least all that the city shall require for any fu-
ture period, however distant—to employ the main stream or so
much as shall be requisite to elevate the supply into the adjoining
reservoirs.  The flow of the Quinnipiac at a minimum was found
to be fifty cubic feet per second. Of this three feet and a half per
second would be lost by the excess of leakage and  evaporation
in the canal above the small supplies from the entering springs
and brooks.   The evaporation and leakage of the water pumped
up would not probably exceed the supply from Bronson's brook,
and three other small fountains that empty into the reservoirs
above.   Deducting the supply to  be lifted  and giving the  ad-
ditional head due to friction in the pipes, we have 42^ cubic feet
with a head of 19^ to  lift 4^ feet 12lj.  This is over two mill-
ions  nine hundred thousand gallons per  day—nearly three
times the present necessity.  In ordinary seasons,  the river at
its minimum flow  would be competent undoubtedly to throw
3,600,000 gallons, and by the establishment of reservoirs, might
be made competent to so much, and  more in every season.   If
two turbines are erected in the first instance competent to throw
1,200,000 gallons  each in  twenty-four hours, they will easily
perform by day-light the work  now demanded, and afford  the
supplies for accidents and  exigencies.  Ultimately  a third may
be added and afford the ordinary supply for  90,000 inhabitants
before a  necessity for steam or  any other mechanical agency
will arise.
  At  Mill River,  under similar conditions, we have two cubic
feet lost by evaporation and leakage from the pond  and canal—
leaving sixteen per  second, for supply and  work. The head
would be 34 feet and the  lift and friction 98^.  Under these
circumstances, 3 feet  per second almost exactly could be raised 
51
by the remaining 13 feet.  This is a supply of nearly 1,900,000
gallons,  not quite  adequate for 50,000  inhabitants.   But the
stream in ordinary seasons would exceed this,  and by the assist-
ance of reservoirs, as in instance of the Quinnipiac, might be
made reliable for a greater amount. I propose here two turbines,
as at the former stream.  In both cases the expense may be as-
sumed as follows :

Two  turbines  with  pumps  to throw 1,200,000 gallons each in
    twenty-four hours,     .    .    .     $13,000
Wheel and pump house,         .    .       5,000
Race pump, well and road bridge,    .       3,965
                                       ---------   $21,965
Engineer and assistant, $3.50,       .   $1,277.50
Repairs, fuel, lights, &c,   .     .    .       75.00
Insurance,       .....125.00

                                       $1,477.50
The Capital to  maintain this, at 6Tfo, .    .    .     24,625

Total for lifting 1,000,000 gallons  and machinery
      for 2,400,000 gallons,      .    .    .         $46,590
   If the head were diminished twenty feet, the above
       total might  be reduced to      ...    $44,290

                     2d.  Steam Power.

   At the "Spring Garden and Northern Liberties'" works, at
Philadelphia, the water is pumped 115 feet by three steam en-
gines, capable of raising 2,400,000 gallons each  in twenty-four
hours, the cost  of each engine being about $15,600.  In these
steam is cut off at  half stroke ; but in the engines used for clean-
ing the  mines  of Cornwall in England, steam is cut off at a
small fraction of the stroke, the cylinders being made large,
and the connections  strong.  By  thus carrying the principle of
expansion to its practical limit, those engines  are made to real-
ize a performance double  of the ordinary engines.  Although
therefore the Cornish engine is far the  most expensive, there is
great economy in its use, and in  the works now in progress in
this country, it is coming into universal employment. 
52
  The data for estimating the expense of the engine, or its per-
formance in our own cities, are  not  so abundant as could be
wished, but may  be concluded with a sufficient approximation
and certainty from the English data, as they appear in the Re-
port of the Boston Water Commissioners, and from comparison
with ordinary engines, and by allowing for the requisite varia-
tions.  The work to be done by the two turbines at Mill  River,
I should propose to make the duty of a single Cornish engine of
capacity  to raise  2,400,000 gallons  132 feet high, in twenty-
four hours, but to tax it at present only by day, and for 1,000,000
gallons.  For safety against accident, a second engine of ordi-
nary construction may be provided, capable of raising 1,500,000
gallons in twenty-four hours, but not  ordinarily  to be in use.
The cost and capital to cover current expense of operations at
Mill River may thus be  stated:
Engine-house, boiler-house and chimney,      $7,500
A Cornish Engine with pumps as above,      23,000
An ordinary Engine with pumps  as above,    12,000
Basin pump, Well, &c.,                      5,940
                                           ■------  $48,44 0
Coal to raise 1,000,000 gallons 132 feet high
      per day, 322 tons per annum,  $5,     1,610.00
Engineer, Ass't. and Fireman per  day, $4.50, 1,642.50
Oil, Hemp, &c,.....450.00
Repairs,.......750.00
Insurance,......250.00
                   Total annual cost,      4,702.50
The capital for maintenance being    .     .     .       78,375
Expenditure for Steam Power and Pumping,         $126,815

  For  the  steam works  and pumping at other localities speci-
fied in the estimates  the  principles will be  the  same, but the
amount will be  modified by the situation, lift and other circum.
stances.
  If the head for distribution were diminished twenty feet, the
above total expenditure might be reduced toil 14,315. 
53
     Cost of Supplying New Haven from the Quinnipiac.

  The dam is  eleven  feet high, and one hundred feet wide;
made of best masonry, resting on  a broad apron of timbers.
The water issues through guard gates.   The canal is four feet
deep, twenty wide on bottom, the bank seven feet on top, and
from four  to three above water.  An ample weir is  provided.
The wheel and pump house will be erected about two miles and
three quarters south of the dam.  Two sloping  mains will con-
duct the water from the pumps.   The open channel leading  to
the reservoir is  seven and  a half feet on bottom, and  protected
with a fencing so close and strong as to prevent access of per-
sons and animals.   The small water  courses  will be passed
above the  conduit by channels of masonry.
                         Estimate.
Dam across Quinnipiac,.....$4,020.00
Guard Gates and Gearing,   .     .    .    .     .     796.20
Waste weir in Canal,......600.00
Canal 2T8o miles, including  right of way and fencing,  18,821.50
  Expenditure for lifting, viz :
House, Wheels, Pumps, &c,     .    .   $18,800
Capital for 1,000,000 gallons,     .    .    25,833   44,633.00

Double rising mains, 18  inch  diameter,
       1,350 feet, at $8,
Rock excavation for main, .
Influent Well for Conduit,
1700 feet Conduit 3x4 half arch, half cut,
2100 feet rock,  cut for do.        50 cts.
3000 feet earth,       do.        16 cts.
Well and  Gate......

Open Channel 2,900 feet,
     Tunnel 200 feet,
     Fencing 352 feet, at $5,
$10,800
     80
    160
  2,125
  1,050
    480
    160

  3,370
  1,330
  1,760
14,855.00
6,460.00
Amount carried over,       $90,185.70 
54
Amount brought over,     $90,185.70
                   Receiving Reservoir.

10,000 cubic yards earth, 15 cts.     .    $1,500.00
2,000 cubic yards  puddling, 50 cts.    .     1,000.00
Puddle ditch......300.00
Grubbing and clearing 2\ acres,      .    1,000.00
240 perch slope wall, $2.50,       .    .      600.00
Fencing around reservoir,  .     .    .     1,000.00

Open channel, 3,000 feet rock and earth,
Conduit, 5000 feet, $2.50,    .    .    .   12,500.00
Conduit, 12,800  feet, half rock,   .    .   16,000.00
Earth, 144,000 cubic yards,  20 cts.    .   28,800.00
Rock, 13,000 cubic yards, 60 cts.  .    .    7,800.00
Back filling, 24,000,  6 cts.   .    .    .    1,440.00
Three Ventilators,     ....      300.00
Culverts, 60 perches, $8.     .     .    .      480.00
Land and Damages,     .     .    .    .    7,200.00
 5,400.00
13,300.00
Distributing reservoir,
Double 21 inch mains to city laid 15,600 ft.
       $10 per foot,
Crossing Mill River,
Two Stop Cocks,

Contingencies,
Engineering,
74,520.00
32,620.00
156,000
  2,546
    300
13,000
12,000
-158,845.00
25,000.00
                  Total for Introducing Water,  $399,87 0.70

  A rapid survey of Muddy brook was made from Tyler's Mill
to the receiving reservoir  at Bronson's  brook.   The distance
was distributed into open channel two miles, conduit a mile  and
three quarters, and more than two miles of pipe, making the  dis-
tance very nearly five miles and  three quarters, at an expense 
55
rudely estimated at $114,909.00.   This amount appeared so
great, compared  with the object, that no farther critical atten-
tion was given to the idea of making that stream auxiliary to
the Quinnipiac.
   The expense of introducing the Quinnipiac by  the  channel
above described, being in excess of the amount which was anti-
cipated, it became important to consider  whether it might not
be moderated by  an extension of the canal to a more southern
locality.   At the time of entering upon this enquiry an accurate
survey could not  be made in season, but by aid of Mr. Ritner's
minute  acquaintance with the region, I was able to make an
approximate estimate, which developed the fact that between
thirty and forty thousand dollars might be saved by changing
the plan as follows :—
   I would replace the present dam at the Quinnipiac factory by
a new one, and conduct the main-stream by Canal to the mouth
of Muddy brook; taking in this  stream and Horton's brook on
the way; crossing the Quinnipiac by an aqueduct of masonry,
the Canal would be continued to a site near the north extremity
of East Rock, and opposite the Gun Factory.  Here the pump-
ing would take place by  the power of the stream,—the waste
ascending into a reservoir on the ridge, whence it would be dis-
tributed into the  city.
   It is an objection to this plan of supply that fifteen cubic feet
per second  would probably be lost by leakage and evaporation
in the Canal.  On the other hand, the two streams above united
will supply a large part of the waste, leaving the  main stream
not seriously impaired in amount and efficacy.

      COST OF SUPPLYING NEW HAVEN FROM MILL RIVER.

               First, by power of the Stream.

   The dam proposed at the Clock Factory would consist of an
embankment across the present channel and a weir of masonry
continued in the same line on the  flat that  abuts  against the
foot of  the easterji ridge.   Down the gentle  and rocky slope of
this hill, the waste water would expend itself—strong abutments
and walls being  erected  for protection, one  hundred and fifty 
56
acres will probably be flowed by this arrangement, which will
give a head of thirty-four feet.  The water for supply and pow-
er  would make its  exit through guard-gates  into  the  Canal
before mentioned, on its way  to the works  near Mr.  E.  Whit-
ney's dwelling.   A spacious race walled enters into the arrange-
ments at this place.   Other particulars will be manifested by
the estimate, as follows :—

                        Estimate.

Raising Bridge, &c, north of dam,    .     .     .  $6,133.00
Dam 27  feet bank, 75 feet weir,   ....   6,825.00
Guard Gates,     .......     651.20
Canal, 4000 feet,       ......13,973.70
Pump house, Machinery, Race, capital, &c,        46,590.00
Double 18 inch rising mains, set 2000 feet, $8,        16,000.00
Reservoir on Sachem hill......32,500.00
Double21 inch mains to Chapel-st., 8,200, $10 per ft., 82,000.00
Stop Cocks,       .......250.00
Land and damages, not including flowage of,        10,000.00
Contingencies,     ....     $8,800.00
Engineering,      ....     10,000.00
                                    -----------18,800.00
Total for raising and conducting to Chapel-st.,     $233,722.90

                 Second, by Steam Power.

  A basin of one acre is to be excavated at the locality of the
water-works before mentioned.   This is to receive through  a
conduit the flow from the foot of the Gun Factory dam.  The
arrangements have  been before  described  and the course of
the water from the pumps to the reservoir on Sachem's Hill and
to the city, will be the same as in the last article.

Basin,  10,000 cubic yards, 16  cts.      .    .    .  $1,000.00
Conduit from river, 600 feet laid,       •    .   *.    1 440 00
Influent chamber for  do.,    ....        1 575 00
Wall for  Basin, 250 feet, $3,                «          750 00
Amount carried over,   $5,365.00 
57
                           Amount brought over,  $5,365.00
Pump-well,........500.00
Turning Brook,.......150.00
Land and damage,   ......      1.500.00
House Engines, pumps and maintenance,   .     .    126,815.00
Double 18 inch rising mains, 2,000 feet, $8,     .     16,000.00
Reservoir on Sachem's Hill.....32,500.00
Double 21 inch mains to Chapel street, 8,200, $10,  82,000.00
Stop-cocks,.......       250.00
Contingencies,.....$5,000
Engineering,   ......   5,000
                                         ------  10,000.00
Total, for raising  and conducting to Chapel street,  275,080.00

    3d. By Steam-power and from above Churchill's Dam.

  The chief advantage of this method would "be the diminished
cost of raising the water coupled with the opportunity of sup-
plying for the  present  what shall be  taken—an opportunity
which may  be improved by constructing  reservoirs upon the
head streams of Mill River.   Again, it is true that during eight
months of the year, if not nine, all that the city would require
for  years to come  would  be no subduction  from  the useful
mechanical  effect of the stream, being merely what runs to
waste over the dams.
  Churchill's dam being forty-two feet above  mean-tide, there
would be a great saving in the expense of lifting;  in fact, a yet
greater economy  would be realized in the  respect named from
the  dam above.   The estimate  will show this to be one of the
most  promising methods of supply.  It will be requisite, how-
ever, to control the entire stream for ultimate purposes, although
not  to any extent injurious to the factories for a long period to
come.   This method  did not suggest itself to the  Engineer
until after the close of the field-work, and the estimates for the
open channel are based—as in one instance before  mentioned—
upon  a reconnoisance  carefully and repeatedly made by  the
principal Assistant, Mr.  Ritner. 
58
Renewing dam......     •     •  $3,000.00
Open Channel, 3 miles long, 8 feet bottom,
  13,700 cubic yards of earth, at 13^ c,  $18,495
5,000 cubic yards of rock, at $1,  .    .    5,000
Four road crossings,    ....      250
Land and damages,      ....    1,000
Fencing 6 miles at $5 a rod,   .    .    .    9,600
                                       ------34,345.00
Engine house, pumps, &c,    .    .    .   36,000
Maintenance of,  ($3,752.50,)  .     .    .   62,542
                                                 98,542.00
Double rising mains, 18 inches, 1,000 feet, at $8,     8,000.00
Right of way for do.,......100.00
Reservoir and mains into city,     .     .     .      114,250.00
Contingencies and Engineering,   ....   5,250.00

                                               $263,487.00

        Supply of Water to the  City from Westville.

  As the locality in this instance  would be at the same distance
very closely with that below the  Gun Factory from  which the
water of Mill River  would be pumped, it may be assumed at
the estimate before given, or $275,080.  The  reservoir, how-
ever, would not have an equal elevation with that on Sachem's
Hill, by perhaps ten feet—a circumstance balanced in a measure
by the diminished expense of pumping.   The supply  may, how-
ever, be  less copious at some distant day than  might be fully
adequate to the demand.

                       Distribution.

  It is proposed to  turn one sixteen inch main along Chapel
street, West to Dwight street, and the other along Elm and St.
John streets to East street, to cross  these mains by four twelve
inch branches through East, Olive, Church and Howe streets,
and to intersect these in both directions  through all the other
streets by six inch branches.  Four inch branches  have been
used in the cities, but are coming to be out of favor. 
59
  With a head diminished twenty feet, the expense of distribu-
tion might be reduced twenty thousand dollars.
6,850 feet of 16 inch pipe at $3.50,   .     .     .   $23,970.00
13,450 feet 12 inch pipe at $2,       ...     26,900.00
127,200 feet 6 inch pipe at $1.10,    .     .     .    139,920.00
180 Hydrants at $60 each.....10,800.00
2 eighteen inch Stop Cocks at $200,  .     .     .       400.00
16 twelve inch Stop Cocks at $65,   .     .     .      1,040.00
S4 six inch Stop Cocks at $35,       .     .     .      2,940.00
Pipe house and testing apparatus,    .     .     .      4,500.00
Sundries,       .......5,500.00

                                               $215,970.00

  Summary of the foregoing results, exhibiting the entire cost
of each method of supply, including distribution :

                   Cost of Supplying from

Quinnipiac on ridge,    $615,840.70, cost of water to be added.
Quinnipiac on plain, say, 580,000.00, cost of water to be added.
Mill river by water power, 449,692.90, cost of water to be added.
Mill river by steam,      491j050.00, water free.
Mill river from Churchill's,479,457.00, cost of water to be added.
Westville same as Mill river by steam.

  It  should be observed in the comparison of the  foregoing
methods and  amounts, that they present a  fair comparative
view  for  the  present time  only, when  1,000,000 gallons will
meet  the ordinary daily demand ;  if 2,000,000 were  requisite
instead of one,  there  would  appear  against  the method by
steam, when  compared with water  power, a balance of  about
$60,000 more  than at present, and the like amount for  each
additional million.
  It should also be observed, that  by a  moderate addition of
force at the turbines of Mill River, the work of both might be
continued  through  nineteen  hours, and supply! tne  whole
1,900,000, which  that stream is competent to lift at its minimum
flow,  and  at  an  addition to the capital before stated, of only 
60
813,000; also that, by working the turbines at the Quinnipiac
twenty-four hours to the day,  2,400,000 may be supplied con-
stantly by an expense equivalent to the interest of only $15,000 ;
and that the whole which the Quinnipiac is competent to throw
at its minimum, being 2,900,000  gallons, might be supplied by
the addition of a third turbine, and a corresponding increase of
capital to the amount of ^25,000.
  The proposed steam arrangements at Mill River being  com-
petent to lift 2,400,000 gallons  in twenty-four  hours, and nearly
4,000,000 in  an  exigency,  the above supply could be realized
from that source by an additional  yearly expenditure, equiva-
lent to the interest of $63,000.

                       Alexander C.  Twining, Engineer.
  New Haven, October 5th, 1852.
/ 
61
                   MEMORANDA

Of waters for analysis and. experiment from the streams around
  New Haven, referred to in Report of Alexander C. Twining,
  on introducing Water into New Haven.

  New five gallon demijohns  were procured, well and repeat-
edly rinsed,  first by the  druggist,  and  afterwards  by  Mr.
Twining at the streams.  When filled it was by careful immer-
sion to about mid depth of water, every precaution being  em-
ployed to obtain the water in  its natural or normal condition.
Immediately  after tillage the demijohns were marked  by short
white cords or strings tied to one of  the handles of the wicker
work, the cork  having been  put tight in its  place, and  never
afterwards  disturbed.   The demijohns were  set  at once  into
Mr. Twining's  cellar,  and  soon  after spotted  with  as many
black wax seals on  the side of the wicker  or basket work, as
the cords that had been put, and were still left, on the handles.
By these spots  cords were connected from sides to corks, form-
ing a guarantee, (if undisturbed,) that the corks had remained
undisturbed.   Subsequently, proper labels with numbers  1,  2, 3,
(corresponding to the number by cords and by spots,) were put
on the  demijohns  filled  by Mr. Twining, and No. 4 on  one
filled, in accordance with Mr. Twining's directions, by the
principal Assistant, Mr. Ritner, and set with  the others  in the
cellar, and by their  side.
   Demijohn No. 1 ; having also one  cord  on handle, and  one
black spot of wax,  as above, on the side.  Mill river water.
   Filled August 21st, at one P. M., by A. C. Twining, from pond
of  Whitney's second or upward  gun works, it being also the
first pond below Waite's mill and dam.  Water  taken  imme-
diately above race in the deep forebay.  The day and several
preceding days dry.
   Demijohn No. 2; having also two cords on handle,  and  two
wax spots,  as above, on side.   Water of the Quinnipiac. 
62
  Filled the same, August 21st, at three P. M., by A. C. Twining,
from the main channel, under the bridge immediately below the
Quinnipiac Factory.  Water pouring a  thick sheet over the
dam, and the factory or mill not  in motion.
  Demijohn  No. 3 ; having also  three  white  cords tied to
handle, and three wax spots, as above, on one  side.   Water of
the Main Beaver Pond.
  Filled the  same, August 21st, at seven  P. M., from outlet of
Beaver Pond, in deep water, say  two hundred feet above, or
East of the road and bridge.
  Demijohn No. 4; filled September 29th,  at three P. M., by
Mr. Michael Ritner, principal Assistant, below  Jacock's dam, in
Westville.   Water temperature  66° F., air  temperature  64°
F.  Demijohn was brought  to Mr. Twining's, and set in his
cellar, by the side of the  preceding.
  Demijohn not marked; this  was filled by  Mr. Ritner,  Sep-
tember 6th, at eleven A. M., from Muddy Brook, one-fourth of
a mile above Tyler's mill.  Water, 64° F., air 74° F.  It was
brought and set  in cellar by side  of  the first three preceding.
  Also new jars were procured and rinsed, filled, stopped  with
ground  stoppers, marked, and new lead pipe was put in each.
The pipe being a trifle soiled, was scoured with dry emery, (or
steel grains,)  and wiped  again  and again with paper.   Two
fragments were put into each jar, one clear pipe, and one with
brass  tube soldered on.   Each jar was wrapped in paper,  and
all were set together into a dark  closet.
  First jar; having one  white  cord  or  string  tied  around
neck as its mark.  Mill River water, taken beneath bridge next
below Waite's dam, where also the guages had been principally
made.   Filled,  supplied, wrapped and  set  away  by A. C.
Twining, August 27th.  Filled  at 12 hours and  40 minutes,
P. M.  Water temperature 74° 3 F., air 86° F.   Day cloudy
and damp, but with occasional sunshine.
  Second jar;  having two cords  around neck as  its mark-
Quinnipiac water.   Taken beneath bridge below Quinnipiac
Factory, (where also guages were chiefly taken,) the same 27th
August, at 4 hours and  30 minutes P. M.  Water 74° 3 F., air
79° F., treated by A. C.  Twining as the preceding. 
63
  Third jar, marked " Beaver Ponds." Taken by Mr. Ritner,
principal Assistant,  from  outlets of Beaver  Ponds, September
4th,  1852,  4  P. M.  Water 72° F., air  79° F., day  clear.
Taken to Mr.  Twining's  house, and  treated by Kinsley Twi-
ning in the same way as the first two.
  Fourth jar unmarked, except by date of its reception at Mr.
Twining's. Muddy Brook water.  Taken by Mr. Ritner at time
and place of the above unmarked demijohn—to wit, one-fourth
mile  above Tyler's mill,  September 6th,   11 A. M. Water
64°  F., air 74° F.   Treated by Kinsley Twining as others.
  All the above was done as part and parcel  of my survey and
examinations, in the summer and fall of 1852.
                       Alexander C. Twining, Engineer.

  To Hon. A. N Skinner, Chairman, fyc. 
MR. RITNER'S REPORT.
                            New Haven, Nov.  16,  1852.
Hon. A. N. Skinner:
  Dear Sir,—Below I give you the estimated cost of  an open
canal from the Quinnipiac Factory Dam, to a point near  the
South  East end  of East Rock, crossing the  Quinnipiac  at
Sackett's Point. Length of Canal, 9.43 miles, tail race 600 feet.
380,000 cubic yards earth, at 12 cts.      .    .     •   $45,6C
2,500 cubic yards earth, at 50 cts.
Guard Gates and Waste-weir,
Sundries,*
Sundries,*
Sundries,*
Sundries,*
Quinnipiac Aqueduct,
Grubbings and Clearings,
Pine River Feeder, .
Right of Way and Fencings,
Engineering, &c,
 1,250
 1,396
 1,920
 4,000
  900
 2,800
12,000
 1,500
 2,000
18,000
 2,500
                          Total, Canal,     .     .  $93,866
  The distance from the Pumps to the Distributing Reservoir
would be 900 feet, and from thence into the City of New Haven
to State and Elm streets, 9,500 feet.
  The cost  of the  Distributing  Reservoir  of l£ acres area,
would not exceed $13,000.
I estimate the cost of 9,500 of main from the reser-
      voir on the South end  of East Rock, to the
      corner of State and Elm streets, at  $5 per
      foot, making     ......   $47,500
Crossing Mill River with stone arch, and raising high-
      way 15 feet,     ..'...      6,850
$54,350
* Items omitted for reasons before mentioned. 
                                65

  The  pipe estimated is 21 inches,  and would deliver (at the
corner  of  State and Elm) something more than 100,000 gallons
per hour, 30 feet below the surface of the water in the reservoir.
                         Yours respectfully,
                                                  M. Ritner.
Summary by  Committee of Mr. Ritner's Estimate of Quinnipiac, by
                            Cedar Hill.
Cost of water near Cedar Hill,     .....     $93,866
Reservoir,    ......            ,      13,000
Distributing main, 9,500 feet, to corner of State and Elm streets,  '      47,500
Crossing Mill River, with stone arch, and raising highway 15 feet,         6 850

                                                          1.61,216
Double Rising Mains,  900 feet, $8 per foot,  ....       7,200

Mr. Twining's Estimate of Wheel house, wheels, apparatus, &c,        18,800

                                                          187,216

Committee's Estimate of Engineering, Damages, Contingencies, (fee,       11,350

Cost at Corner of State and Elm streets,     ....     $198,566
                  Quinnipiac by  Whitneyville.
  If the open Canal were made to terminate  at a  point 6,000
feet North, making the length  about 8£ miles, with the view of
passing the water to a Distributing Reservoir on Sachem's Hill,
the cost would be estimated thus:

Open  Canal........$86,000
800 feet doubleRising Mains, at $8,     .     .     .        6,400
2,000 feet Conduit, to a point East of, and overlooking
       Gun Factory, at $2.50,    ....        5,000
3,500  feet Pipe across valleys of Mill River,      .       14,000
Crossing of Mill River,.....        3,000
4,400 feet Conduit on Sachem's Hill, to a point at South
        end of Mrs. Hillhouse's orchard,      .     .       11,000
Sundries,........        2,000

                                             Total,       127,400
  1. The  Committee  in their estimate placed the Reservoir still further North,
thereby diminishing the iron mains to  2,200 feet, and  increasing the Conduit to
5 900 feet; also estimated single instead of  double rising mains. 
66
 Summary by Committee of Mr. Ritner's Estimate of Quinnipiac by
                         Whitneyville.
                                        Total above,
Mr. Twining's estimate for Reservoir, ....
Mr. Twining's estimate for Wheel-house, Pumps, &c.  .
$127,400
  32,500
  18,800
Distributing main, (20 inches,) 4,225 feet, at $5 per foot,
Reservoir, Engineering, Contingencies, &c, estimated by Committee,
$178,700
  21,125
  15,825
$215,650
  The cost of an open Canal from the Clock Factory on Mill
River  to Whitneyville,  following the  East side of the vallev,
distance 2,500 feet, I estimate at
26,000 cubic yards  of Earth, at 12£ cents,    .    .     $3,250
2,000  cubic yards of Rock, at 50 cents,      .    .      1,000
Guard Gates and Turnpike Bridge,     .    .    .      1,250
200 cubic yards  Masonry, at $5,  .     .    .    .      1,000
                                          Total,       $6,500
  The above estimate does not include the cost of the Dam and
road crossing at the Clock Factory ; the cost of these, together
with that of the Waste-weir,  will be  found in Mr.  Twining's
Report.
  The length of rising main  from the point where the Canal
terminates to a point on  Sachem's Hill, having an elevation of
130 feet above mean-tide, would be 3,300 feet, and  the length
of Conduit from this point to  the South side of Mrs. Hillhouse's
orchard, would be the same as before estimated  for the waters
of the  Quinnipiac, 4,400 feet,  making  the cost—
Open Cannal,.......$6,500
                                                       26,400
                                                       11,000
                                                        3,000
                                                        3,500
                                                        1,500
3,300 feet double Rising Mains, at
4,400 feet Conduit, at $2.50,
Crossing Mill River,
Right of Way and Fencing,   .
Engineering, &c,
                                       Total,      $51,900
The cost of the Pumps is not included in the above estimate.
                Yours  Respectfully,
                                             M. Ritner. 
67
Summary by Committee of Mr. Ritner's Estimate of Mill River by
                          Water Power.
                                       Total as above,    $51,900.00
Cost of water without Canal,       .....    69,609.20
Mr. Twining's Estimate for Reservoir,     ....    32,500.00
Mr. Twining's Estimate for wheel-house, wheels, pumps, <fec,  .     .    18,800.00
Distributing Main, 4,225 feet, at $5,  .     .     .      .     .    21,125.00
Distributing Reservoir, Damages, Engineering, Contingencies, (fee, Esti-
     mated by Committee, ......    12,715.80

                                                     $206,650.00
Deduct Sundries twice estimated above,   .     .       .     .    5,000.00
$201,650.00
                MR.  RITNER'S REPORT
IN REGARD TO THE WATERS ANALYZED BY PROFESSOR PORTER.
                           New Haven, October 29th, 1852.
Hon. A. N.  Skinner :
   Dear Sir—Below I  give you the information  you  desire,
relative to the water obtained by me for analysis.
   Demijohn marked A.  No. 1.—From Pine  river,  one mile
from its mouth, October 25th, 1852, half-past ten o'clock, A. M.,
temperature of the air,  64°; of the water, 50°.
   Demijohn marked A.  No. 2.—From Quinnipiac, below Fac-
tory dam, October 25th, twelve o'clock,  M., temperature of the
air, 67°; of the water,  53°.
   Demijohn marked A. No. 3.—From West River, below the
junction of all the  streams,  October 29th,  ten o'clock, A. M.,
temperature of the air,  62°; of the water, 51°.
   Demijohn marked A.  No. 4.-—From Mill  River  at  Clock
Factory, October 29th, half-past eleven o'clock,  A. M.,  tempera-
ture of the air,  64°;  of the water, 50°.
   Demijohn marked A. No. 5.—-From Mill River below Gun
Factory, October 29th,  twelve o'clock, M., temperature of the
air, 64°; of  the water,  50°.
                         Yours respectfully,      M. Ritner.
  Note  by Committee.—-The waters collected by Mr. Twining, were  sent to the
Laboratory for experiments. But as they had  been standing a long time, Professor
Porter preferred to make his principal examination  and analysis on waters more
recently taken from the streams.  The analysis here reported was made upon Ihosa
above described by Mr. Ritner. 
PROFESSOR PORTER'S REPORTS.
                             New Haven, Nov. 18, 1852.
Hon. Aaron N. Skinner :
  Dear Sir,—I give  below the result of the  analysis of the
waters, which you left with me for examination.
  The principal difference perceptible to the eye in the several
specimens, consists in  the presence of a small quantity of flocky
organic matter, suspended in No. 3, which is  not observable in
the others.
  The organic or vegetable matter present  in the different
waters, varies from one part in 97,000, to one in 28,000, No. 2
containing the smallest quantity, and No. 3 the largest.  As
respects the  presence of organic matter, No. 2  is  therefore
preferable to  any of the other waters examined.  The average
quantity in the five specimens, is about nine-tenths of that found
in the Schuylkill water, one-fourth of that in the Croton, and
nearly twice  that in the Cochituate.  No. 2 contains the same
quantity as the Cochituate, one-half as much  as the Schuylkill,
and one-seventh as much as the Croton.
  With  respect  to  the  relation of  the  quantity  of  organic
matter present in a water to its action on lead, different opin-
ions are entertained.   By  some chemists it has been  supposed
to exert a protecting effect due to the tendency it possesses,  to
appropriate to itself the oxygen dissolved in  the water, and
again by its decomposing effect upon nitrates,  which increase
the action of water upon  lead.  This is  the  opinion expressed
in the Report  of the Water Commissioners  of  the city of
Boston, with  reference to  the use of lead pipe, in conducting
water in that city.   On the  other hand,  Graham,  Miller and
Hoffman, English chemists  of high reputation,  assert that the
presence of organic matter increases materially the  action of
water on lead.  This opinion is  the result of the  most recent
investigation  that has been made on the subject  and is probably
correct.   As  far, therefore, as the  action of water on  lead 
69
depends upon the organic matter which it contains, it would be
less  in the case of most of these waters, than  in  the  case of
Croton or Schuylkill water, and as  little  as in the case of
Cochituate.  It would, further,  be  less in the  case  of No.  2
than in either of the other New Haven waters.
  The quantity of inorganic or mineral matter present in the
different specimens does not differ very materially, the  variation
being between  one part in  13,000, and one in 17,000, and the
average being about one in  15,000.  This is  about one-half of
the quantity found  in the Croton water, nine-tenths of that in
the Schuylkill,  and  three times that in the  Cochituate.  The
data for the comparison with these three waters, are  found in
an  article by Professor  B.  Silliman,  Jun., in the Journal of
Science for 1846.
  The composition of the mineral matter present in the differ-
ent specimens is also very similar, consisting in each  of Carbonic
and Sulphuric Acids, Silica and Chlorine, combined  with the
following  bases, viz :  Potassa, Soda, Lime, Magnesia, Alumina,
and Oxide of Iron.   Carbonates of Lime and Magnesia, (Lime-
stone,) Sulphate of Lime, (Gypsum,) Chloride of Sodium, (com-
mon Salt,) and Silicates of Alumina and Potassa, such as result
from the decomposition of Feldspathic rocks, are the  principal
constituents.   Nos. 3 and 4  contain, as far as can be judged from
qualitative experiments, more Iron than the other two, and No.
3 more Alumina, but this difference is of no practical  import-
ance.  None of the  substances mentioned  are in  the least
degree deleterious  to health.   The difference  between No. 2
and Nos.  4  and 5, in respect to inorganic  matter, is  not  at all
material, and No. 2 is, therefore, to be  preferred to any of the
others on  account of its smaller quantity of organic matter.
  Nos. 2, 4 and 5, are all purer than either Schuylkill or Croton
water.  All contain a larger portion of inorganic matter than
Cochituate, and all, excepting No. 2, a larger portion of organic
matter.*
  It is to  be borne in mind  that the purity of water is no secu-
rity against its action upon  lead.  On  the contrary, rain water,

  * Note by Committee.—No.  1, Pine River.  No. 2, Quinnipiac.  No. 3, West
River. No. 4, Mill River, at Clock Factory. No. 5, Mill River, below Gun Factory. 
70
 or distilled water, which comes nearest to being absolutely pure,
 acts more readily on this metal than either spring, lake or river
 water, which  always contain more or less mineral  matter in
 solution.  Carbonate of  Lime is said to exert  the most decided
 protecting  influence.  This substance is present in the New
 Haven waters in small quantity.   The precise amount has not
 been  determined.   Carbonates of Potassa and Soda, again, in-
 crease the  action  of water  on  lead.   Neither  of these  are
 present in the waters examined.  Nitrates have the same effect,
 but there is no reason to apprehend increased action from this
 source in the case of river waters.  Contrary  to the commonly
 received opinion, Graham  and Hoffman have concluded  as a
 result of recent experiment, that  Chlorides also increase  the
 action of water upon lead.  Chlorides are  present in the New
 Haven waters, but  the quantity has not been determined.
  The connection with brass cocks increases the action of water
on lead pipe.  Connection with the iron mains is  said to have
 the same effect, but difference of opinion exists on the latter
points.
  Accompanying this, on a separate sheet, you will  find the
more  precise results of the analyses in a tabular form.
             I am, Sir, with the highest respect,
                            Your most obed't servant,
                                        John A. Porter.
  P.  S.  Since writing the above, I have  examined the four
specimens of water in which lead pipe has been immersed, and
find no trace  of lead  in either,  excepting the  one  marked
" Water  that came  September 7th."   This contains the merest
trace.  The incrustation on  the  surface of the pipes might,
however, be removed by running water, and the  water thus
become contaminated.    There is a sediment on the  bottom; of
two of the jars which probably contains lead, and would have the
same  effect.   In accordance with your request, I have left the
sediment undisturbed, for a  subsequent examination.    j. a. p.
  Note.—The sediment referred to in the Postscript, was subsequently examined.
In the jar marked Beaver Pond, Sept. Ath, 1852, it was accumulated in considera-
ble quantity, in the  one  marked water that came Sept. 1th,  there was  very little.
The sediment from each yielded lead before the blowpipe. 
71
  Result of Professor Porter's Analysis, in a Tabular Form.

  The amount of solid matter contained in a pound avoirdupois,
of each of the waters, is given in Table I, in French Grammes,
as it  was actually  weighed.   Table II gives the  number  of
grains of solid matter in a gallon of each of the New Haven
waters, and of Cochituate, Schuylkill and Croton water, and is
deduced by calculation from Table I and other sources.  Table
III gives the number of parts by weight of solid matter in one
million parts by  weight of the several waters.
                           TABLE I

        Solid matter in a pound, expressed in Grammes.
            No. 1.       No. 2.       No. 3.      No. 4.      No. 5.
Organic,     .0078      .0045      .0151      .0064      .0059
Inorganic,    .0332      .0282      .0295      .0250      -0260
Total,       .0410      .0327      .0446      .0314      .0319
                           TABLE II.

             Grains of Solid Matter in a  Gallon.
              \m    2.   3.   4-    5-    Croton.   Schuylkill.  Cochit.
 Organic,      1.     .6  1.9    .8   .7      4.3       1.2         .6
 Inorganic,     4.3  3.6  3.7   3.2  3.3      6.6       4^3        !L2
 Total,        5.3  4.2  5.6   4.0  4.0     10.9       5.5        1.8
                           TABLE III.

 Parts of Organic and Inorganic Matter by weight, in a million
                     parts water by weight.
                     New Haven*       Croton.  Schuylkill. Cochituate.

 Organic,      18    10    35   15   13   72      20       10
 Inorganic,    77    65    68   58   59  116      U       21
 Total,        95    15   103   73   72  187      94       31
  . xr   ^ PmoMTTEE —No 1 was taken from Pine River.  No. 2 from the Quin-
nipia^Nb JXrWest River.  No. 4 from Mill River, at the Clock Factory.
Z 5 from Mill River, below the dam at the Gun Factory. 
 Prof.  Porter's Examination of Well Waters of New Haven.

   The  quantity of organic matter is smaller than  in the river
 waters. The precise amount was not determined. The amount
 of inorganic or mineral matter, is given  in the following tables,
 and is much larger than in the river waters.

 Amount of Inorganic matter in one pint of the several waters,
                 expressed in French Grammes.
             No. 1.       No. 2.       No. 3.       No. 4.        No. 5.
            0.1184     0.1716      0.3092      0.0722     0.1186
       No. grains in a Gallon calculated from the above.
            No. 1.      No. 2.       No. 3.       No. 4.       No. 5.
            15.2        22.1        39.8         9.3         15.2
    No. parts by weight in a million parts water by weight.
            No. 1.      No. 2.       No. 3.       No. 4.       No. 5.
             270        394        709         166        270
   The composition of the  mineral portion  differs from  that
obtained from the river waters, in  its larger relative proportion
of Silica, and in the presence of  small quantities  of  Phosphoric
and Nitric Acids—or more properly, compounds  of  these acids.
The  presence  of the  latter substances  is no objection to  the
waters.*
   As a matter of curiosity, or of scientific interest  rather than
of practical importance,  I append the results of a microscopical
examination  of the river  and  well waters,  for which I  am
indebted to Mr. Ogden Rood, of  the Analytical Laboratory    I
am also indebted  to Mr.  William I. Craw, of  the Analytical
Laboratory, for assistance  in the above  analyses and  in those
previously reported.
  Note by Omnnmnc-Below is the account of the  wells in the city from which
the waters were taken by Wadsworth Terry, Assistant in the Water Survey.
  No. 1, Pump on South-East corner Green, 51° Temperature.
  No. 2, Bath-house, Orange street, 56° do.
  No. 3, Pump at corner of Fleet and George streets, 53° do.
  No. 4, Pump corner State and Olive streets, 52° do.
  No. 5, Pump in Chapel, above Park street, 51° do.

  *The presence of Nitrates would tend to increase their action  on lead   Whether
they are m sufficient quantity to make a perceptible difference  in this respect <1
only be determined by experiment.                           respect, can 
 
 
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