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NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



On account of similarity of conditions the facts gained in the 

 Rochester study are of general interest to the towns of western 

 New York, and accordingly a brief account of the studies made 

 in 1890 is herewith given. 



Domestic Water Supply of Rochester 



The object of the investigation was to determine the cheapest 

 source from which a proper temporary supply of water for the 

 city of Rochester could be obtained. A number of sources within 

 short distances were examined, but it was found that in every 

 instance where the quality was satisfactory the quantity was not. 

 On the other hand, where the requisite quantity was available, 

 the contamination was such as to necessitate filtration. The 

 deficiency in the supply was estimated at 1,500,000 gallons per 

 day, and since Rochester was growing rapidly, the shortage was 

 likely to amount to 2,000,000 gallons per day before a new con- 

 duit could be constructed. We will first refer to Hemlock lake, 

 the main source of supply for Rochester. 



Hemlock lake. In 1872 Hemlock lake was decided upon as the 

 water supply of the city of Rochester. This lake lies at an ele- 

 vation of 386 feet above the Erie canal aqueduct at Rochester, 

 and a gravity conduit was therefore constructed capable of carry- 

 ing 7,000,000 gallons per day, although in 1876, immediately after 

 its completion, this conduit was reported as carrying 9,300,000 

 gallons per day. No systematic tests had been made until 1890, 

 when it was found to be carrying only 6,700,000 gallons per day. 

 In the meantime, the city had developed from a population of 

 89,000 in 1880 to 134,000 in 1890, and the natural increase in the 

 use of water had exhausted the available supply. At least two 

 years was required to construct a new conduit and accordingly 

 it became necessary that a temporary supply of some sort be pro- 

 vided to tide over the emergency. The investigation considered 

 every possible source from which a supply could be obtained. 

 Mount Hope reservoir is about two miles south of the center of 

 the city and Rush reservoir ten miles south. Just south of Mount 

 Hope reservoir there is a deep, broad valley several miles wide, 

 while south of Rush reservoir is the valley of Honeoye creek. 



