The Recent Drought and New York State Water Supplies

Abstract

At times of drought public water supplies are subjected to danger through shortages, with the result that often polluted sources are used, or through the inadequate dilution afforded pollution by low stream flows. Moreover, with heavy rainfalls following droughts, accumulated pollution may be washed suddenly and directly to the water supply intakes creating a great menace to water supplies, since the existing purification processes may be inadequate to treat effectively such great and unusual increases in pollution. If the operation of the treatment plant is temporarily ineffective at such times great danger exists of an outbreak of waterborne disease. While underground supplies ordinarily are not so directly subject to danger during or following periods of drought their proper protection is especially important at such times as the degree of danger varies greatly and is dependent upon the depths of the wells or springs, the nearness and character of the sources of pollution, the character of the soil, type of well casing or spring enclosure, etc. Perhaps the most serious menace at times of drought with resulting water shortage exists through the use of emergency sources of supply which are often of unknown safety. It is of the utmost importance from the public health standpoint that the use of unsafe sources of supplies be avoided or that proper and effective purification be afforded to treat such supplies before their delivery to the public. Some times connections are made to industrial supplies known to be unsafe. Their use should only be permitted in extreme emergencies and then only after effective treatment under the direct supervision of the water supply and health officials. The recent drought has been so widespread and of such long duration that it has commanded the attention of public officials, engineers