28
REPORT ON THE WORKING OF THE KING INSTITUTE, GUINDY
Madras Corporation.—The sand filters have, as usual, yielded variable results. At the
August examination samples from twelve filters were examined. None of these could be said
to be working quite satisfactorily. The free ammonia in every one of the 12 samples of
filtered water showed a considerable increase over the raw water. In 5, it reached record
figures. The smell of sulphuretted hydrogen was noticeable in all the filtered water chambers
and, in a few samples, even after receipt at the laboratory. The samples from the distri-
butary system showed little or no improvement over the raw water of the Red Hills lake.
Madura.—Of the two galleries supplying the station, the Kochadai gallery continued to
yield a better water than the Arapolyam gallery. There would be a distinct improvement if
the Kochadi gallery alone could be utilised for the town supply. This however, is not
possible.
Masulipatam.—The supply obtained by mechanical filtration was in fair order as judged
by the results of the two examinations carried out during the year.
Negapatam.— Both in August 1922 and February 1923, the water at the source was fair
and showed that the gallery was able to deal fairly effectively with the pollution present in
the raw water. In February however deterioration was found to occur in transit manifestly
due to a fouled pipe-line.
Nellore.—The water-supply to this station continues to yield very good results.
Ootacamund.—The water-supply to this hill station was in excellent order. The samples
from Dodabetta upper and Marlimund reservoirs however showed rather high figures for
organic matter, probably due to decaying vegetable matter.
Periyakulam.— In July the results of slow sand filters were indifferent. In November
however there was a decided improvement. Slight deterioration in transit was found at the
latter examination.
Rāmēswaram. —The water-supply to this union was in very good order.
Salem.—In April the sample of filtered water showed a definite improvement on the
bacteriological side. The organic content however was unsatisfactory. There was a definite
increase of free ammonia in the filtered water. In October the filtered water was worse than
the raw water. Local enquiries showed that the filters were made to function intermittently
owing to lack of storage facilities. Slow sand filtration to be successful must be continuous
and not intermittent. The necessary arrangements for ensuring continuous filtration should
therefore be provided.
Tanjore.—The water-supply to this municipality passed muster.
Tirupati.—In September a good water was found, to suffer in transit as a result of a
fouled pipe-line. In February 1923 the supply was in very good order.
Trichinopoly.— On account of an outbreak of typhoid fever samples were drawn from
seven different points in the water-supply system of this municipality in June 1922. No
evidence of any special source of contamination was found. The supply was again examined
in July and was found to be in fair order. When it was again examined in January the'
supply was satisfactory but a sample taken from one of the distribution taps showed a slight
increase in the organic content.
Tuticorin.—The necessity for a fully protected system of water-supply was evident at
both the examinations which showed once more the unsatisfactory condition of the present
supply system.
Vellore.— Slow sand filtration as carried on in this municipality continues to be of
little use.
Vizagapatam.—In June the water-supply was in a very unsatisfactory condition. In
December the results were more satisfactory.
Vizianagram.—The water was passable at both the examinations carried out during
the year.
Jails.
Bellary.—The results obtained from the examination of the water of the drinking water
well carried out in May 1922 were of little or no value because the well had been Hankinised
a day or two before the sample was collected. At the second examination in November the
supply was in a very unsatisfactory condition Systematic daily bactericidal treatment was
recommended to ensure a safe supply.
Berhampur. —During the year under report this jail was connected to the Municipal
water-supply and the wells were no longer used. This arrangement is much more
satisfactory.
Cannanore. —The water-supply to this jail just passed muster at both the examinations.
Coimbatore.—The water-supply to this jail was examined in June 1922 in connexion
with an epidemic of cholera which broke out in the jail. Vibrios were isolated from two of
the wells supplying the jail at the time. The water was again examined in August 1922 and