13
REPORT ON THE WORKING OF THE KING INSTITUTE, GUINDY
water-supply to Bezwada was of fair quality but the presence of free
ammonia in undesirably large quantities in the samples drawn from the
collecting well at the head works would suggest the necessity for
carrying out a detailed local investigation with a view to detecting any
possible sources of pollution. The Conjeeveram water-supply which
enjoyed a reputation for purity for a long time, showed deterioration
in October 1924.
There was great scarcity for water at Cuddapah owing to a failure
of the monsoons and the supply was of poor quality. The galleries
at Dindigul, Guntū r and Vizianagram yielded variable and indifferent
results.
At Negapatam there was an outbreak of cholera in February 1925 in
epidemic form. Samples of water examined immediately at the request
of the Health Officer pointed to the infection being derived from the
piped supply to the town. Systematic chlorination was recommended, by
the prompt adoption of which the epidemic was rapidly brought under
control.
The gallery supply to the town of Trichinopoly suffered severely as
the result of the unprecedented floods in the river Cauvery, which washed
away a portion of the mains, and also damaged one of the galleries and
its connecting well. Raw water was efficiently chlorinated under the
direct supervision of the Municipal Health Officer and supplied to the
town. When subsequently the mains had been relaid the municipality
wished to stop chlorination. Analyses of samples at the Institute,
however, pointed to the desirability of continuing the treatment and the
municipality was advised accordingly. On their refusing to act on this
recommendation, the Collector of the district in exercise of his emergency
powers, ordered the continuance of chlorination for a month. In the
meanwhile, the Chairman on the advice of his Health Officer solicited the
help of the Institute in an independent investigation of the various
sources. A mobile laboratory was therefore despatched in charge of
M.R.Ry. T. N. S. Raghavachari Avargal, the Senior Bacteriological
Assistant, who carried out a systematic examination of samples from
various points followed by a close inspection of the sources. The presence
of a large leak in one of the wells was revealed both in the examination
of the samples and in the local inspection. Vibrios were isolated from
the raw water of the river and from this particular well. Certain sections
of the pipe line which were found as a result of the field tests to be fouled,
were flushed out with super-chlorinated water by this officer, until they
yielded a pure supply. A report embodying these findings was sent to all
the authorities concerned including Government. The installation of a
permanent chlorinating plant was recommended.
The water-supply to the three hill stations continued to be in good
order during the year.
The water-supply at Tuticorin is entirely unprotected and is in a most
unsatisfactory condition. The urgent necessity for the inauguration of an
adequately protected system has been urged repeatedly and seeing that
no action has so far been taken by the Municipality, it is now for
Government to decide whether, pending an improvement, any useful
purpose is being served by spending time, energy and money in collecting
and examining water samples from this supply.
Jails .—On account of the Inspector-General of Prisons issuing strict
orders to the various jail authorities to carry out the suggestions offered
by this Institute, there has been considerable improvement in the quality
of the jail water-supplies as a whole during the year under review.
Railway stations .—The supplies of water to the passengers at Erode
Junction Railway Station (South Indian Railway) at Jalarpet and Katpadi
( M . & S . M . R a i l w a y ) a n d a t N a u p a d a ( B . N . R a i l w a y ) h a v e b e e n i n a n
unsatisfactory condition during the year. At Naupada the supply is both
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