Recent Progress in Sanitary Science. 283 



from a consideration of the foregoing data. It is of the 

 highest importance to be in previous possession of generally 

 acknowledged first principles, so that when action must be 

 taken in regard to any particular water-supply, there will 

 exist just rules for its proper guidance. 



REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE UPON THE WATER SUPPLY OF THE STATE OF 



NEW JERSEY, APPOINTED BY THE NEW JERSEY STATE SANITARY 



ASSOCIATION, READ AT ITS SECOND ANNUAL MEETING, 



HELD IN NEW BRUNSWICK, OCTOBER, 1876. 



It is evident that the water-supply of the state of New Jersey cannot 

 be considered as a whole; it resolves itself at once into the consideration 

 of the various Water-Basins, into which the state is divided by the nat- 

 ural lines of deraarkatiou between its water sheds. 



Our first duty, therefore, is the determination of the character of these 

 Water Basins. This involves : — 



I. The construction upon the basis of a topographical survey, of an 

 accurate Hydrographical map, prominently districting off the state into 

 its water-basins. 



II The determination of the rain-fall for each water-basin, and of the 

 number of gallons of water flowing in its several water-courses for every 

 month in the year. 



III. An examination of the quality of the water in each basin, more 

 especially in regard to its fitness for manufacturing and domestic pur- 

 poses. 



IV. An inquiry into, and a tabulated statement of, the amount and 

 character of the pollution existing at the present time in the water- 

 courses of the state. This fourth topic subdivides itself into : — 



a. The Drainage and Sewage along their banks. 



b. Statistics of Manufacturing establishments so far as relates to the 

 question in hand, and the proper disposition of contaminating Refuse. 



The topics above enumerated, refer only to the facts which must be 

 settled, and the data which must be accumulated, before a final solution of 

 all the problems involved in the question of water-supply can be arrived 

 at. This is a work of years, to be actually performed only as the studies 

 of those interested in sanitary science, and the vital interests of the 

 people of the state, may require. In this report we wish only to map 

 out, as it were, the question of the water-supply in a broad and compre- 

 hensive manner, and to settle, if possible, certain fundamental principles; 

 leaving the working-out of the various subjects, and their application to 

 particular cases and to particular communities, to those most concerned 

 in so doing. 



November, 1876. 22 Ann. Lyc. Nat. Hist., Vol. xi. 



