5
REPORT OF THE KING INSTITUTE, GUINDY
Trichinopoly .—Chlorination was being carried out systematically and efficiently.
But deterioration was noticed in distribution. The reservoir at the sub-pumping
station and the distal ends of the distribution mains will be the better for a
thorough cleaning with a large dose of bleach every night for three or four nights
consecutively.
(b ) JAIL SUPPLIES.
The samples of untreated well water from the jails at Cannanore, Cuddalore
and Rajahmundry were of fair quality. Those from the other jails were polluted
in various degrees, but chlorination as practised in all the jails was very efficient
and the water as supplied was of an uniformly excellent quality. The dissolved
solids of the water from the Ayyappa Chetti well—a new source which was
requisitioned two years ago, tend to show a progressive increase indicating the
need. for a local investigation of the sources of the water.
(c) RAILWAY STATIONS.
Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway.
*Dronachalam—The well supplying this station continues to be fed by an
open channel liable to gross contamination along its entire course. No provision
for systematic chlorination as recommended in previous reports has yet been
made.
Katpadi junction.— The chemical features of the water of the well supplying
this station (especially the solids and chlorides) have greatly increased during
the current year. This may be due to the ingress of water from undesirable
sources through new feeder spring. Immediate local investigation has been
recommended.
*Gudur, Hospet and Narasaraopet.— The water as supplied at these stations
was of very poor quality. No provision for systematic chlorination has been
made although such a procedure has been repeatedly suggested as essential for
safety.
Madanapalle, Tenali and Tiruttani .—Chlorination as practised at these stations
has been defective. More frequent and careful field tests are essential to ensure
better results.
South Indian Railway.
*Chingleput junction.— The supply to this station continues to be derived from
the same stagnant pool referred to in previous annual reports. The pool is liable
to serious pollution and yields water which is discoloured and opaque rendering
chlorination a difficult and uncertain procedure. The desirability of getting the
purer municipal supply laid on to the platform—at least for drinking purposes—
has already been pointed out.
* K u m b a k o n a m
. — T h e u n s a t i s f a c t o r y n a t u r e o f t h e s u p p l y a t t h i s i m p o r t a n t
pilgrim centre has been repeatedly pointed out, and although the Agent wrote to
say in October 1930 that the question of tapping a fresh source would be taken
up as soon as the floods in the river Arasalar subsided, no action appears to have
been taken so far. No attempts have been made to chlorinate the present supply.
* Mangalore .—Chlorination of the water drawn by ropes and buckets from the
well continues to be carried out in pots. The platform has not been provided
with a reservoir and taps for distribution.
*Tanjore junction.— Although the Agent wrote to say that an installation for
automatic chlorination was being arranged, nothing has been done so far. The
wells continue to be chlorinated with a periodical dose of bleach solution—every
three months. The futility and wasteful nature of this procedure which only
engenders a false sense of security were again pointed out.