The Water Supply of Albany. 



177 



of supply," no regard being had to the probable increased 

 death-rate of the city. 



The Commissioners present figures of the cost far below 

 the estimates formerly made by Mr. McAlpine and Mr. 

 Sweet, and omit to make estimates for essential portions 

 of the work. Mr. McAlpine's estimate of furnishing a 

 supply of 6,000,000 gallons from the river was : 



The Commissioners say their amount may be somewhat 

 increased by the rise in the cost of materials. In this 

 amount, however, is not included the sum necessary to 

 purchase lots for pumping engines, and inlet pipe, neither 

 does the report make provision for filtering the water; 

 this necessary expense, they say, it is believed will not ex- 

 ceed the means at the disposal of the Commissioners. 



I submit herewith a description of some of the most im- 

 portant filter beds in England, with an estimate of the 

 cost of construction, together with cost of attendance and 

 renewal of materials. 



Neither Mr. McAlpine nor Mr. Sweet recommended 

 pumping from the river ; but for the purpose of arriving 

 at a true estimate of the cost of construction and of the an- 

 nual expense of attendance and the renewal of materials 

 for filtering, which the Commissioners acknowledge is ne- 

 cessary, not less than $200,000 would be required for this 

 purpose alone ; which, it will be observed, is over one-half 

 of the amount of the Commissioners' estimate. 



In view of the exigencies of the case, I would recommend 

 a special meeting of the Institute, for the purpose of bring- 

 ing this matter properly before our citizens. 



Trans. viii.~] 23 



In 1850, 



Mr. Sweet's in 1869, 



The Commissioners in 1872, 



$1,205,280 00 

 1,462,151 90 

 397,000 00 



