524 



NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



from which a given water supply was to be drawn, such a defini- 

 tion to be made with due reference to the several interests, what- 

 ever they may be. Especially, in making their determinations, 

 the interests of manufacturing by water power should be duly 

 conserved. 



After these preliminaries had been attended to, the commission 

 should investigate the possible sources of the supply of water as 

 they now exist, and should tabulate and report in detail upon 

 each supply. There are a number of places where the water sup- 

 ply is not only ample, but of which the purity cannot be improved, 

 but due consideration should be had as to the sufficiency of the 

 present supply for future growth. The possibility of sewage in 

 the future going into any present water supply should be taken 

 into account. 



These commissioners would be empowered to construct and 

 maintain works to supply, from the specially reserved State catch- 

 ments, any city or town in the State which would comply with 

 certain conditions. It would be made the duty of such a com- 

 mission to defend the rights of the State, as regarded the use of 

 reserved waters, and as to the policing and other lawful control 

 of the same. Where necessary, . proper sewage disposal works 

 would be included, although generally, with the rivers left free 

 to take sewage, this would be unnecessary — at any rate, for the 

 present. 



Any town or group of towns wishing to receive a water supply 

 from a State catchment would be authorized to make application 

 to the State board therefor, and thereupon the commissioners 

 should consider such application, make examination, and submit 

 plans and estimates, together Avith recommendations as to the 

 best source and method of furnishing a supply, either singly or 

 jointly with other municipalities, as in the judgment of the board 

 was most expedient. Preferably, such recommendations would be 

 made with reference to the supply of each municipality being an 

 integral part of a comprehensive system of Slate water supply. 



The plan proposed could be submitted to a vote of the electors 

 of the town or town® at such time and place as might be dlecided 

 upon. If resulting favorably, the commission would proceed to 

 construct Hie works and furnish the municipalities so accepting 



