Reference to the Supply of Large Towns. 



313 



are of importance in the consideration of the foul character 

 of the waters frequently supplied for the use of cities. 



For several years the Albany water has been in the most 

 offensive condition during the summer months, and last 

 August I had the pleasure of being associated with a party 

 visiting the reservoirs for the purpose of seeing if any 

 immediate remedy could be devised. The party con- 

 sisted of the Water Commissioners, and the Board of 

 Health, and under the guidance of the Superintendent 

 an excellent opportunity was afforded to inspect every- 

 thing in connection with the Bleecker reservoir, its gate 

 house and surroundings, Rensselaer lake, its banks, supply, 

 outlet, as well as the condition of the water as to 

 temperature, depth, current, and general position with 

 reference to all surrounding matters that might influence 

 it. The result of that expedition was to satisfy all who 

 went, that everything had been done that could be done 

 for keeping the lake and waters clean. The reservoirs 

 were carefully kept, and the neatness of everything in 

 connection with them was observable, showing the 

 judicious system, as well as laborious care that could 

 prevent the collections of slime and tilth in places where 

 there was so much tendency to them at that season. No 

 exception is to be made in this remark, for anything in 

 connection with the works that were visited, and it is a 

 matter of gratification to know, that whatever impurity 

 may occur in the water, it is brought to our rooms and 

 table with nothing added by the way. If we take the 

 covering off from the few wells yet remaining in the 

 streets, and examine the pump logs reaching down to the 

 water and the stones that wall up the well with their 

 mosses and slime, we shall be better able to appreciate 

 the watchfulness and labor that prevents the same thing 

 about the city reservoirs, so much more extensive, and 

 subject in summer to a temperature more conducive to 

 this kind of difficulty. 



