The Vermont Transcript

The Water Question.

That the village of St. Albans is sadly in need of water, sufficient to meet the great demand, no one, we think, who lives within its limits, will deny; and yet our people, apparently manifest perfect indifference in regard to the matter. In case of fire—and we refer to the past as proof of the assertion—we are almost entirely at the mercy of the devouring element. The few wells in the business portions of the village are easily exhausted by the most ordinary fire-engine; and so it is at other points.—But it is not for the extinguishment of fire alone, all important as this is, that we want an abundance of water. It is needed for many other purposes which at once suggest themselves. Does it not frequently happen during a dry time that hotels and residences have to be supplied with water obtained from a distance, at much expense and inconvenience? Is not "washing day" often postponed until the clouds "give down," to the annoyance of many a good housekeeper? Would it not be a comfort, a great comfort, in the summer when the wind drives the dust in such volume through the principal streets, to have the wherewithal with which to allay it?

It is regretted by many that the recent village meeting called to consider the water question, adjourned without taking any action on the subject. This was done, we think, not because the necessity of water was not admitted, but because there was no definite and economical plan suggested. The proposition to have "reservoirs" "tanks" in different parts of the village is a good one, and in lieu of nothing better it would be well to construct them; but we fear they would not answer all the requirements. This can only be done by a constant stream of water running into town, and sooner or later we are sure measures will be taken to bring this about. It was for this purpose that the St. Albans Aqueduct Company was incorporated by the Legislature two or three years ago. It is thought the plan suggested of obtaining water from "Fairfield Pond," so called, about seven miles distant, is a feasible one. There would, of course, be considerable expense attending this, but not so great, we believe, as many are apt to suppose. Capital invested in such a project, it is believed, would from the start yield a fair return; and such return would increase as the population of the village increases. Water, it must be borne in mind, is one of the necessaries of life, not a luxury like gas, which can easily and, perhaps, profitably, be dispensed with. And the number of persons who would pay very liberally by the year, or otherwise, for the privilege of using all they want, is quite large. The Railroad Company, notwithstanding the expense they have incurred to prevent it, are not unfrequently ill supplied, so much so that engines are compelled to proceed to other stations to obtain it. Hence, they would be large consumers; so would our hotels, stores, offices and shops: in short, there are comparatively few of the village people who would not have occasion to use water thus obtained, more or less. We have alluded to this subject because it is one of very great importance to the interests of the entire village, and is daily growing more and more so. It may be that a supply of water can be obtained at less expense from some other source than the "Fairfield Pond," which we have mentioned only because it has been most talked of. Be that as it may, we ought to have plenty of water from some source; and it is to be hoped the day is not far distant when the St. Albans Aqueduct Company will have something beside a mere paper existence.