New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Water Supply Commission Survey Questionnaires
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Overview of the Records
Repository:
New York State Archives
New York State Education Department
Cultural Education Center
Albany, NY 12230
Summary:
This series consists of two questionnaires: one describing in detail the water supply and distribution for each respondent
community and the other with questions about their sewage disposal systems. Water Supply Commission used these to conduct
an investigation and report for the legislature. The questionaires were distributed to cities, incorporated villages, private
water companies, and towns statewide.
Creator:
Title:
Water Supply Commission survey questionnaires
Quantity:
7 cubic feet
approximately 310 maps; 19 blueprints; 3 photographs
Inclusive Dates:
1905-1906
Series Number:
16828
Sponsor:
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Arrangement
Series has been arranged alphabetically by municipality.
Administrative History
Chapter 723 of the Laws of 1905 empowered the governor to appoint five citizens, subject to senate approval, who would constitute
a commission to be known as the State Water Supply Commission. Under the provisions of this statute "no municipal corporation
or other civil division of the state, and no board, commission or other body of or for any such municipal corporation or other
civil subdivision of the state" would be allowed to acquire, take, or condemn lands for any additional sources of water supply
until it first submitted maps, profiles, and designs for review and approval by the commission.
Prior to 1905, a municipal corporation or other civil division of the State was empowered to acquire or condemn lands for
sources of municipal water supply without regard to whether the plans for its requirements were equitable to other municipalities
and people whose land was directly affected by the acquisition. The main purpose of the law and the subsequent gathering of
statistics were to establish and administer a systematic plan for acquiring and maintaining water supplies for the State's
municipalities. Until then, there was little public supervision of existing water supplies, no provision or planning for future
water and sewage needs and no systematic analysis of water purity. Expanding population growth necessitated municipal control
of domestic water supplies and sewage disposal statewide. Outside of large centers of population, there was little control
of sewage disposal coupled with an increasing awareness of the correlation between water purity and diseases e.g. Typhoid.
The commission's powers were increased in 1907 with the passage of Chapter 569, which directed it to conduct surveys, and
devise plans for the progressive development of the State's water for public use and benefit. The commission operated until
Chapter 647 of the Laws of 1911 transferred its powers and duties to the newly created Conservation Commission.
Scope and Content Note
This series consists of two questionnaires compiled by the State Water Supply Commission in accordance with Chapter 723 of
the Laws of 1905. The first questionnaire describes in detail the water supply and distribution for each respondent community
while, the second covers questions concerning sewage disposal systems. The statute specifically directed the Water Supply
Commission to conduct an investigation and report to the legislature "the respective purity and quantity" of the state's water
supply as well as "the present dispositions of sewage of each municipal corporation." In order to carry out its mandate, the
commission formulated a series of questions that were distributed to forty-five cities, 438 incorporated villages, 215 private
water companies, and approximately 1,000 towns statewide.
The first questionnaire contains sixty questions regarding water supply and distribution and the second questionnaire forty-two
questions regarding sewage disposal systems. Detailed information pertaining to water quantity, quality, and municipal construction
and operating costs as well as demographic information can be found. Some of the types of questions found in the questionnaire
include: what is the source of the water supply; is the water subjected to a purification process; if so, what type of process
and how much did it cost; what is the capacity of the reservoirs; what population is included in the municipality for 1860,
1870, 1880, 1890, 1900 and 1905; and what is the annual death rate from typhoid fever per 1000 inhabitants?
The commission received detailed replies from the majority of cities and larger towns and villages. In most cases, the rate
of response drops in proportion to the size of the community. A summary of the survey results is available in the "First Annual
Report of the State Water Supply Commission," published in 1906.
In addition to the completed questionnaires, approximately one third of the files contain supplementary materials which include
some but, not necessarily all of the following items: correspondence between municipalities or municipal water companies and
the Water Supply Commission regarding completion of the questionnaires; maps, submitted along with the questionnaires, indicating
the location and type of water source employed by each municipality; plans depicting sewage disposal systems; and pamphlets
describing municipal rules, regulations, and rates for water usage.
Alternate Formats Available
Items Online
A small sample of survey questionnaires has been digitized and is available in State Archives Digital Collections.
New York State Archives Digital Collections
Water Supply Commission survey questionnaires, 1905-1906
Related Material
20653 1905-1980 contains related records.
16827 1902-1970 contains related records.
Related Publications
First Annual Report of the State Water Supply Commission gives specific recommendations and an extensive progress report on
this project begun under the authorizing legislation. A copy is available through the New York State Library - NYSL WAT 633-1
1480510 1906/07 2nd.
Processing Information
This collection's description was enhanced as a part of the New York State Archives Environmental History Virtual Research
Collection Project, 2004. The National Endowment for the Humanities provided funding for this project.
Access Restrictions
There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this material.
Access Terms
Subject(s):
Detailed Description
Dates |
Contents |
Box |
Folder |
Accretion: 16828-01 |
|
Accord |
1 |
|
1905 |
Adams, topographical map included |
1 |
|
1905 |
AdenAddison; (blueprint included: Piping System Addison NY Water Works, 1890, no.1608, approximately 17� x 29�) |
1 |
|
1905 |
Afton, topographical map included |
1 |
|
1905 |
Akron, topographical map included |
1 |
|
1905 |
Albany, 2 topographical maps included |
1 |
|
1905 |
Alden, Wellhead Protection Program Report for the Village of Alden 1994 included |
1 |
|
1905 |
Alexandria Bay, topographical map included |
1 |
|
1905 |
Altamont, topographical map included |
1 |
|
1905 |
Amityville, topographical map included |
1 |
|
1905 |
Amsterdam, topographical map included |
1 |
|
1905 |
Antwerp, topographical map included |
1 |
|
1905 |
Apulia, Apulia Station |
1 |
|
1905 |
Ardsley, topographical map included |
1 |
|
1905 |
Arena, topographical map included |
1 |
|
1905 |
Arkville, topographical map included |
1 |
|
1905 |
Attica, topographical map included |
2 |
|
1905 |
Avoca, topographical map included |
2 |
|
1905 |
Avon, topographical map included |
2 |
|
1905 |
Bainbridge, topographical map included |
2 |
|
1905 |
Baldwinsville, topographical map included |
2 |
|
1905 |
Ballston Spa, topographical map included |
2 |
|
1905 |
Bath, topographical map included |
2 |
|
1905 |
Bayshore, topographical map included |
2 |
|
1905 |
Belleville, topographical map included |
2 |
|
1905 |
Berlin, topographical map included |
2 |
|
1905 |
Big Indian, topographical map included |
2 |
|
1905 |
Binghamton, topographical map included |
2 |
|
1905 |
Blasdell, topographical map included |
2 |
|
1905 |
Bloomville, topographical map included |
2 |
|
1905 |
Boonville, topographical map included |
2 |
|
1905 |
Border City, topographical map included |
2 |
|
1905 |
Brewster, topographical map included |
2 |
|
1905 |
Briarcliff Manor, topographical map included |
2 |
|
1905 |
Bridgehampton, topographical map included |
2 |
|
1905 |
Brockport, topographical map included |
2 |
|
1905 |
Brocton, topographical map included |
2 |
|
1905 |
Bronxville, topographical map included |
2 |
|
1905 |
Buffalo, topographical map included |
2 |
|
1905 |
Cairo, topographical map included |
3 |
|
1905 |
Cambridge, topographical map included |
3 |
|
|
Camden, topographical map included |
3 |
|
1905 |
Canajoharie, topographical map included |
3 |
|
1905 |
Canandaigua, topographical map included |
3 |
|
1905 |
Canastota, topographical map included |
3 |
|
1905 |
Candor, topographical map included |
3 |
|
1905 |
Canton, topographical map included |
3 |
|
1905 |
Cape Vincent, topographical map included |
3 |
|
1905 |
Carthage, topographical map included |
3 |
|
1905 |
Castile, topographical map included |
3 |
|
1905 |
Castleton, topographical map included |
3 |
|
1905 |
Catskill, topographical map included |
3 |
|
1905 |
Cazenovia, topographical map included |
3 |
|
1905 |
Celeron, topographical map included |
3 |
|
1905 |
Central Bridge, topographical map included |
3 |
|
1905 |
Central Valley, topographical map included |
3 |
|
1905 |
Champlain, topographical map and blueprint included |
3 |
|
1905 |
Charlotte, topographical map included |
3 |
|
1905 |
Chatham, topographical map included |
3 |
|
1905 |
Cherry Valley, topographical map included |
3 |
|
1905 |
Chittenango, blueprint included |
3 |
|
1905 |
Clayton, topographical map included |
3 |
|
1905 |
Cleveland, topographical map included |
3 |
|
1905 |
Clifton Springs, topographical map included |
3 |
|
1905 |
Clinton, topographical map included |
3 |
|
1905 |
Clyde, topographical map included |
3 |
|
1905 |
Cohocton, topographical map included |
4 |
|
1905 |
Cohoes, topographical map included |
4 |
|
1905 |
Commonwealth Water Company, topographical map and blueprint included |
4 |
|
1905 |
Corinth, topographical map included |
4 |
|
1905 |
Cornwall-on-Hudson, topographical map included |
4 |
|
1905 |
Coxsackie, topographical map included |
4 |
|
1905 |
Crown Point, topographical map included |
4 |
|
1905 |
Cuba, topographical map included |
4 |
|
1905 |
Dansville, topographical map included |
4 |
|
1905 |
Deansboro, topographical map included |
4 |
|
1905 |
Delanson, two topographical maps included |
4 |
|
1905 |
Delhi, topographical map included |
4 |
|
1905 |
De Ruyter, topographical map included |
4 |
|
1905 |
Dobbsferry, topographical map included |
4 |
|
1905 |
Dolgeville, topographical map included |
4 |
|
1905 |
Dover Plains, topographical map included |
4 |
|
1905 |
Dryden, topographical map included |
4 |
|
1905 |
Dunkirk, topographical map included |
4 |
|
1905 |
Earlville, topographical map included |
4 |
|
1905 |
East Aurora, topographical map included |
4 |
|
1905 |
East Worcester, topographical map included |
5 |
|
1905 |
Elizabethtown, topographical map included |
5 |
|
1905 |
Ellenville, topographical map included |
5 |
|
1905 |
Elmira, topographical map included |
5 |
|
1905 |
Endicott, topographical map included |
5 |
|
1905 |
Fairhaven, topographical map included |
5 |
|
1905 |
Falconer, topographical map included |
5 |
|
1905 |
Farmingdale, topographical map included |
5 |
|
1905 |
Fayetteville, topographical map included |
5 |
|
1905 |
Fishers Island, topographical map included |
5 |
|
1905 |
Fleischmanns, (Griffin Corners Water Company) |
5 |
|
1905 |
Florida, topographical map included |
5 |
|
1905 |
Fonda, topographical map included |
5 |
|
1905 |
Forest Lawn Water Company |
5 |
|
1905 |
Forestport, topographical map included |
5 |
|
1905 |
Forestville, topographical map included |
5 |
|
1905 |
Fort Edward, two topographical maps included |
5 |
|
1905 |
Fort Plain, topographical map included |
5 |
|
1905 |
Frankfort, topographical map included |
5 |
|
1905 |
Fredonia, topographical map included |
5 |
|
1905 |
Freeport, topographical map included |
5 |
|
1905 |
Fulton, topographical map and survey maps included |
5 |
|
1905 |
Fultonville, topographical map included |
5 |
|
1905 |
Galway, topographical map included |
5 |
|
1905 |
Geneseo, topographical map included |
5 |
|
1905 |
Geneva, topographical map and blueprint included |
5 |
|
1905 |
Gilboa, topographical map included |
6 |
|
1905 |
Glens Falls, two topographical maps included |
6 |
|
1905 |
Gloversville, two topographical maps included |
6 |
|
1905 |
Grandview-On-Hudson |
6 |
|
1905 |
Granville, topographical map included |
6 |
|
1905 |
Green Island, topographical map included |
6 |
|
1905 |
Greene, topographical map included |
6 |
|
1905 |
Greenport, topographical map included |
6 |
|
1905 |
Greenville, topographical map included |
6 |
|
1905 |
Groton, topographical map included |
6 |
|
|
Hadley, topographical map included |
6 |
|
|
Hamilton, topographical map included |
6 |
|
1905 |
Hastings-on-Hudson |
6 |
|
1905 |
Haverstraw, two topographical maps included |
6 |
|
1905 |
Hensonville, two topographical maps included |
6 |
|
1905 |
Herkimer, topographical map included |
6 |
|
1905 |
Hicksville, topographical map included |
6 |
|
1905 |
Highland, topographical map included |
6 |
|
1905 |
Highland Falls, two topographical maps included |
6 |
|
1905 |
Homer, topographical map included |
7 |
|
1905 |
Hoosick Falls, blueprint included |
7 |
|
1905 |
Horseheads, topographical map included |
7 |
|
1905 |
Hudson, topographical map included |
7 |
|
1905 |
Hunter, topographical map included |
7 |
|
1905 |
Islip, topographical map included |
7 |
|
1905 |
Ithaca, topographical map and blueprint included |
7 |
|
1905 |
Jamestown, topographical map included |
7 |
|
1905 |
Jefferson, topographical map included |
7 |
|
1905 |
Johnstown, topographical map included |
7 |
|
1905 |
Jordon, topographical map and blueprint included |
7 |
|
1905 |
Katonah, topographical map included |
7 |
|
1905 |
Keene Valley, topographical map included |
7 |
|
1905 |
Keeseville, topographical and hand-drawn maps included |
7 |
|
1905 |
Kingston, two topographical maps included |
7 |
|
1905 |
Lacona, topographical map included |
7 |
|
1905 |
Lake George, topographical and hand-drawn maps included |
7 |
|
1905 |
Lake Mohonk, topographical map included |
7 |
|
1905 |
Lakewood, topographical map included |
7 |
|
1905 |
Lancaster, topographical map included |
7 |
|
1905 |
Larchmont, topographical map and blueprint included |
7 |
|
1905 |
Laurens, topographical map included |
7 |
|
1905 |
Leroy, topographical map included |
7 |
|
1905 |
Lewiston, topographical map included |
7 |
|
1905 |
Liberty, topographical map included |
7 |
|
1905 |
Lima, topographical map included |
7 |
|
1905 |
Lisle, topographical map included |
8 |
|
1905 |
Little Falls, topographical map included |
8 |
|
1905 |
Luzerne, topographical map included |
8 |
|
1905 |
Lyons, topographical map included |
8 |
|
1905 |
Mamoroneck, topographical map included |
8 |
|
1905 |
Manlius, topographical map included |
8 |
|
1905 |
Marathon, topographical map included |
8 |
|
1905 |
Marlborough, topographical map included |
8 |
|
1905 |
Massena, topographical map included |
8 |
|
1905 |
McConnellsville, topographical map included |
8 |
|
1905 |
McGrawville, topographical map included |
8 |
|
1905 |
Mechanicville, topographical map included |
8 |
|
1905 |
Medina, topographical map included |
8 |
|
1905 |
Merrick, topographical map included |
8 |
|
1905 |
Middleburgh, topographical map included |
8 |
|
1905 |
Middletown, blueprints included |
8 |
|
1905 |
Middleville, topographical map included |
8 |
|
1905 |
Millerton, topographical map included |
8 |
|
1905 |
Mineola, topographical map included |
8 |
|
1905 |
Mohawk, topographical map included |
8 |
|
1905 |
Monroe, topographical map included |
8 |
|
1905 |
Montgomery, topographical map included |
8 |
|
1905 |
Monticello, topographical map included |
8 |
|
1905 |
Montour Falls, topographical map included |
8 |
|
1905 |
Moravia, topographical map included |
9 |
|
1905 |
Morristown, topographical map included |
9 |
|
1905 |
Morrisville, topographical map included |
9 |
|
1905 |
Mount Kisco, topographical map included |
9 |
|
1905 |
Mount Morris, topographical map included |
9 |
|
1905 |
Nelsonville, topographical map included |
9 |
|
1905 |
New Hartford, topographical map included |
9 |
|
1905 |
New Paltz, topographical map included |
9 |
|
1905 |
New Rochelle, topographical map included |
9 |
|
1905 |
New York, City of (1906), topographical map included |
9 |
|
1905 |
Newark, topographical map included |
9 |
|
1905 |
Newark Valley, topographical and hand-drawn maps exist |
9 |
|
1905 |
Newburgh, two topographical maps and blueprints included |
9 |
|
1905 |
Newport, topographical map included |
9 |
|
1905 |
Niagara Falls, topographical map included |
9 |
|
1905 |
Nichols, topographical map included |
9 |
|
1905 |
North Boston, topographical map included |
9 |
|
1905 |
North Creek, topographical map included |
9 |
|
1905 |
North Olean, topographical map included |
9 |
|
1905 |
North Pelham, topographical map included |
9 |
|
1905 |
North Tarrytown, topographical map included |
9 |
|
1905 |
North Tonawanda, topographical map included |
9 |
|
1905 |
Northport, topographical map included |
10 |
|
1905 |
Northville, topographical map included |
10 |
|
1905 |
Nunda, topographical map included |
10 |
|
1905 |
Nyack, topographical map included |
10 |
|
1905 |
Odessa, topographical map included |
10 |
|
1905 |
Ossining, topographical map included |
10 |
|
1905 |
Oswego, topographical map included |
10 |
|
1905 |
Oxford, topographical map included |
10 |
|
1905 |
Palmyra, topographical map included |
10 |
|
1905 |
Parishville, topographical map included |
10 |
|
1905 |
Patchogue, topographical map included |
10 |
|
1905 |
Pawling, topographical map included |
10 |
|
1905 |
Penn Yan, topographical map included |
10 |
|
1905 |
Perry, topographical map included |
10 |
|
1905 |
Phelps, topographical map included |
10 |
|
1905 |
Philadelphia, topographical map included |
10 |
|
1905 |
Philmont, topographical map included |
10 |
|
1905 |
Phoenix, topographical map included |
10 |
|
1905 |
Pine Hill, topographical map included |
10 |
|
1905 |
Pine Plains, topographical map included |
10 |
|
1905 |
Plattsburgh, topographical map and blueprint included |
10 |
|
1905 |
Pleasantville, topographical map included |
11 |
|
1905 |
Poland, topographical map included |
11 |
|
1905 |
Port Byron, topographical map included |
11 |
|
1905 |
Port Chester, topographical map included |
11 |
|
1905 |
Port Henry, topographical map and blueprint included |
11 |
|
1905 |
Port Jefferson, topographical map included |
11 |
|
1905 |
Port Jervis, topographical map included |
11 |
|
1905 |
Portville, topographical map included |
11 |
|
1905 |
Pothat Water Co. (Ramapo) |
11 |
|
1905 |
Poughkeepsie, topographical map included |
11 |
|
1905 |
Prattsburg, topographical map included |
11 |
|
1905 |
Prattsville, topographical map included |
11 |
|
1905 |
Prospect, two topographical maps included |
11 |
|
1905 |
Pulaski, topographical map included |
11 |
|
1905 |
Quogue, topographical map included |
11 |
|
1905 |
Ravena, topographical map included |
11 |
|
1905 |
Red Hook, Vg. of, topographical map included |
11 |
|
1905 |
Rhinebeck, topographical map included |
11 |
|
1905 |
Richfield Springs, topographical map included |
11 |
|
1905 |
Richford, topographical map included |
11 |
|
1905 |
Richmondville, topographical map included |
11 |
|
1905 |
Ripley, topographical map included |
11 |
|
1905 |
Riverhead, topographical map included |
11 |
|
1905 |
Rochester, topographical maps and blueprints included |
11 |
|
1905 |
Rochester & Lake Ontario N. Co. Original (1906) Survey Responses, blueprint included |
11 |
|
1905 |
Rockville, Centre, topographical map included |
11 |
|
1905 |
Rosendale, topographical map included |
12 |
|
1905 |
Rotterdam Junction |
12 |
|
1905 |
Round Lake, topographical map included |
12 |
|
1905 |
Rouses Point, topographical map included |
12 |
|
1905 |
Roxbury, topographical map included |
12 |
|
1905 |
Rushville, topographical map included |
12 |
|
1905 |
Rye, topographical map included |
12 |
|
1905 |
Sag Harbor Water Co. |
12 |
|
1905 |
St. Johnsville, topographical map included |
12 |
|
1905 |
Salamanca, topographical map included |
12 |
|
1905 |
Sanborn, topographical map included |
12 |
|
1905 |
Sandy Creek, topographical map included |
12 |
|
1905 |
Sandy Hill, topographical map included |
12 |
|
1905 |
Saranac Lake, topographical map included |
12 |
|
1905 |
Saratoga Springs, topographical map included |
12 |
|
1905 |
Saugerties, topographical map included |
12 |
|
1905 |
Savannah, topographical map included |
12 |
|
1905 |
Schenevus, topographical map included |
12 |
|
1905 |
Schoharie, topographical map included |
12 |
|
1905 |
Schroon Lake, topographical map and blueprint included |
12 |
|
1905 |
Schuylerville, topographical map included |
12 |
|
1905 |
Scotia, topographical map included |
12 |
|
1905 |
Sea Cliff, topographical map included |
12 |
|
1905 |
Seneca Falls, topographical map included |
12 |
|
1905 |
Sherman, topographical map included |
12 |
|
1905 |
Silver Creek, topographical map included |
12 |
|
1905 |
Silver Springs, topographical map included |
12 |
|
1905 |
Sinclairville, topographical map included |
12 |
|
1905 |
Skaneateles, topographical map and blueprint included |
12 |
|
1905 |
Slingerlands, topographical map included |
12 |
|
1905 |
Smyrna, topographical map included |
12 |
|
1905 |
Solvay, topographical map included |
12 |
|
1905 |
South Glens Falls, topographical map included |
12 |
|
1905 |
South Nyack, topographical map included |
12 |
|
1905 |
Southampton, topographical map included |
13 |
|
1905 |
Spring Valley Water Company, Inc. |
13 |
|
1905 |
Stamford, blueprint included |
13 |
|
1905 |
Street Road, topographical map and hand-drawn map included |
13 |
|
1905 |
Suffern, topographical map included |
13 |
|
1905 |
Sylvan Beach, topographical map included |
13 |
|
1905 |
Syracuse, topographical map included |
13 |
|
1905 |
Tannersville, topographical map included |
13 |
|
1905 |
Tarrytown, topographical map included |
13 |
|
1905 |
Theresa, topographical map included |
13 |
|
1905 |
Thousand Island Park, two topographical maps included |
13 |
|
1905 |
Ticonderoga, topographical map included |
13 |
|
1905 |
Tonawanda, topographical map included |
13 |
|
1905 |
Tuckahoe, topographical map included |
13 |
|
1905 |
Tully, topographical map included |
13 |
|
1905 |
Tupper Lake, topographical map included |
13 |
|
1905 |
Tuxedo and Tuxedo Park, topographical map included |
13 |
|
1905 |
Unadilla, seven postcards of Unadilla Waterworks included |
13 |
|
1905 |
Unionville, topographical map included |
13 |
|
1905 |
Utica, topographical map included |
13 |
|
1905 |
Valatie, topographical map included |
13 |
|
1905 |
Victor, topographical map included |
13 |
|
1905 |
Voorheesville, topographical map included |
13 |
|
1905 |
Walden, topographical map included |
13 |
|
1905 |
Wallkill W.D. (Town of Shawangunk, Ulster County) |
13 |
|
1905 |
Wappinger Falls, topographical map included |
13 |
|
1905 |
Warrensburg, topographical map included |
13 |
|
1905 |
Warsaw, topographical map included |
13 |
|
1905 |
Warwick, topographical map included |
14 |
|
1905 |
Washingtonville, topographical map included |
14 |
|
1905 |
Waterford, topographical map included |
14 |
|
1905 |
Waterloo, topographical map included |
14 |
|
1905 |
Watertown, topographical map included |
14 |
|
1905 |
Watervliet, topographical map included |
14 |
|
1905 |
Watkins Glen, topographical map included |
14 |
|
1905 |
Waverly, topographical map included |
14 |
|
1905 |
Wayland, topographical map included |
14 |
|
1905 |
Weedsport, blueprints exist |
14 |
|
1905 |
Westport, topographical map included |
14 |
|
1905 |
White Plains, topographical maps included |
14 |
|
1905 |
Whitehall, topographical map included |
14 |
|
1905 |
Windham, topographical map included |
14 |
|
1905 |
Wurtsboro, topographical map included |
14 |
|
1905 |
Wyoming, topographical map included |
14 |
|
1905 |
Yonkers, topographical map included |
14 |
|
1905 |
Yorkville, topographical map included |
14 |
|