Board of Water Supply. 100,000 pounds. Testing machine for tensile, compressive and transverse tests in laboratory at 147 Varick Street. In 1906, the Board of Water Supply was beginning its work to plan the Catskill Aqueduct and installed a laboratory at 147 Varick Street for testing equipment and building materials, and analyzing water and soil samples. It also hired a photographer to document the monumental project, and put the photo lab on the second floor here. February 7, 1908.