general warmth of the house, the liability to frost would be greatly diminished if not entirely obviated; while paint or whitewash might be made to disguise them so that they would attract little or no notice. If arranged in this manner they would be always accessible when repairing should be necessary. But, to attain these objects, some person of judgment and skill should be consulted at the outset, and have power to direct and distribute the water fixtures in the best possible manner. Would it not, then, be well to consider the right and power of the City in the matter, and, if practicable, by ordinance or otherwise, to require that in all new buildings, or insertion into old ones, the arrangement of the pipes should be superintended or directed by some person or persons appointed or licensed by the City government. It is believed that we have among us many plumbers and other mechanics, who, if clothed with power to exercise their judgment in the matter, would carry and arrange the pipes through the houses in such a manner as to secure the works from liability to frost. Further provision might and should be made, that the water should not be let on for the first time in any case till a certificate should be received from some proper person that the fixtures were arranged in a satisfactory manner. Should such regulations be made to attach to all new cases, it is not to be doubted that a great many old water takers, whose fixtures are imperfect or improperly arranged, would willingly be at the expense and trouble of having them overhauled and made to conform to a safe system or plan. In this way, it is believed, that in a comparatively short period the whole city would become habituated to a much less consumption of water than now prevails, while the takers would enjoy all the luxury of a full supply for all domestic purposes. Unless these suggestions, or others having the same object, can be wrought out into practical results that shall effect a substantial diminution in the individual consumption of water in future, as the population increases, the Board is forced to admit that the necessity for obtaining additional supply is no longer to be disregarded. If the lesson which experience has for years been teaching and impressing upon us is to be accepted as the future rule, it is no longer to be winked out of sight, that the enormous and constantly increasing yearly consumption is rapidly bringing the City to a period when the present source and mode of supply will no longer satisfy the demands of the population. Considering the intrinsic difficulty of deciding upon the most judicious method of obtaining and distributing an additional supply, it appears to be high time that competent minds should be investigating the subject. For example, if means can be devised to furnish East Boston from another source, and in a manner less hazardous and disadvantageous than the present mode, that would be regarded as the very first step for relief. But to determine whether this be practicable, investigation must be made, comparisons be instituted, and finally, details must be wrought out into results; and these will require time as well as talent. In order to aid the Board and the City Council, in forming opinions upon these matters, the City Engineer has, in his very clear and able Report, hereto annexed, collected many pertinent facts and observations, going to show the capabilities of Lake Cochituate to yield the additional supply, and has touched upon the additional works necessary to bring the same to the city, all of which are worthy of attention. It appears from this Report, that during every year, when an account was kept, since the works have been constructed, there has been wasted or allowed to pass down the river, from the Lake, a greater quantity than has been brought to the city. Experience seems to have established, beyond doubt, that the capacity of the Lake, as a source of supply, was very much under-estimated by the early engineers who computed it; and that instead of being capable of supplying ten or eleven millions of gallons daily, it might be relied on to supply sixteen millions. And so numerous and obscure are the causes operating unseen to mislead the judgment, and to render uncertain the data of calculation, that it would be no matter of surprise if experience should finally show that this Lake would yield twenty millions daily, by simply rais ing the dam. But when this additional supply is talked of, the question of the ability of the conduit to bring it to Brookline, is immediately suggested. The conduit was intended originally to convey water as a channel, filled half or two thirds full. But the exigencies of the city have been such that much of the time it has been running full, and a part of the time the water has been pressed through it under a head 1 1-2 and even more feet, thus putting it to the use of a pipe; instead of simply a channel.* This is putting the works to a very undesirable strain, and one which, of course, they were never intended to be subjected to. And should a breach occur, not only might much damage result, but the water takers might be subjected to much suffering and trouble for the want of water, before the breach could be repaired. It is known how much pressure the conduit has sustained without giving way, but it is not known how much it can sustain without a breach. But it is certain that if it is to be relied upon to bring an average of sixteen millions of gallons daily, it must be subjected to a greater and more constant pressure than it has been yet. What may be the result, time alone can make manifest. As a first step towards obtaining an additional supply, the Board are of opinion that the dam at the Lake should be raised two or more feet; and as it is doubtful whether the city now has authority to do it, the Board recommend that application be made to the Legislature for such authority. It will be seen by the Report of the City Engineer, that the dam at the outlet has betrayed indications of weakness during the last season. In consequence, it has been deemed prudent to support it by constructing * Since the date of this Report, during one week of our coldest weather, the following quantities have been forced through the conduit, under the annexed head of water, in feet and tenths. 1857. January 20th, 16,576,000 gallons, 1.66 feet head. The circumstance that the earth covering the conduit was frozen, undoubtedly gave additional security to the works. This will a new dam, 460 feet below the present one. back the water upon the present dam 6 feet or more, so that it will not be subject to pressure of more than 4 feet, and ordinarily not so much; while the new dam will be sustained by the dam at the upper privilege in such manner that it will be relieved from any dangerous pressure. This system of supporting succesive dams by back water, is deemed to be safer than to attempt to construct a single impregnable dam. The soil is so loose, and the water, under high pressure, percolates so freely through the neighboring soil, that the difficulty and expense of a structure that should be perfectly reliable, especially if the pond should be raised, would be very great. The work of constructing the new dam, was commenced too late in the season to allow of its completion this year. Its foundation, however, was laid, and it has been put in a condition to serve a temporary purpose until it can be completed in the spring. Most of the materials are on the spot, and paid for. The whole expense, it is expected, will be something less than $8,000. Since the last Annual Report, the sense of the citizens has been taken in regard the annexation of Chelsea to the city. The result was a decisive majority against such annexation. So far as the distribution of Cochituate water is concerned, that decision must be regarded as eminently wise. As in all applications for annexation to the city, a leading reason for the measure will always be a participation in the use of Cochituate water; so it must continue to be the part of wisdom on the part of the citizens to reject such applications, so long |