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NOTE
What follows is a few of the conditions either in contrast to or agreement with
those prevailing in the corresponding quarter of 1908.
Trichnopoly.—In last year's report it is stated that there had been a fair amount
of rain; this year nearly sixteen inches are reported and the river was partially
flooded. Under the circumstances a high degree of bacterial purity was not to be
expected and it is all the more gratifying on this occasion to notice the absence of
evidence of very recent pollution. This year there is a greater admixture and more
germs that have to be classed as unknown in relation to their susceptibility to
sun-light, etc., but the filtered water is definitely better.
Chemically the water was very similar in quality on the two occasions, but there
was rather more suspended matter in 1908.
Tanjore .—Very similar conditions prevailed in the two years and the quality of
the river water is much the same on both occasions. This year filtration is, however,
more efficient and the condition of purity attained is satisfactory, although there is
evidence of the pipes being fouled with silt.
Madura .—Again we have very similar conditions prevailing as regards the river,
but there is a vast difference in the water as supplied to the inhabitants. On both
occasions, the river water was highly and objectionably polluted, but in 1908 filtration
had converted the water into a very good supply indeed. This year the pipe water
is as bad if not worse than the river water,—a state of affairs which in the light of our
knowledge as to the degree of purity attained to in the past, is simply disgraceful.
The recent outbreak of cholera in the city was probably in direct relation to the foul
condition of the water shown on the last analysis.
Dindigul.—No
useful comparison can be instituted as in 1909. The highly
objectionable deep well water was mixed with that drawn from the infiltration gallery.
The contaminating effect of this well water is well seen in the general supply. It is
much worse than in 1908.
Conjeeveram .—The meteorological conditions having been very similar in the two
years, it is not surprising to find the water on both occasions of much the same
quality. In 1909 the water from the suction well was better than in 1908, but the
general supply though satisfactory enough was better in the former year. A striking
feature in so pure a supply as was furnished on both occasions is the large number of
varieties present among the scanty fœcal germs present.
Madras .—In comparing the results for the two quarters we get an instructive
demonstration of the effect of recent rainfall on an imperfectly conserved gathering
ground. In 1908 the rainfall had been great and a deal of objectionable material had
washed into the water. Chemically and bacteriologically it was very bad. In 1909
there had been less than half the rainfall, and a corresponding improvement of the
water was in evidence. Chemically, however, the presence of animal matter in the
water was evident so that an improved condition of the gathering ground is not
necessarily involved.
Adóni .—Very similar conditions have prevailed in the corresponding quarters of
the two years so that the extraordinary improvement of the spring water in 1909 is a
little difficult to account for. There is in the latter year also a great improvement in
the tank water. The filters too which in 1908 largely increased the fœcal germs do
not show this effect to any extent in 1909, although they do increase the total count
in a very undesirable manner. It is surprising that a water which consistently gives
chemical evidence of gross pollution with animal matter should be so relatively free
from excremental organisms. The state of affairs cannot be considered satisfactory
and most undesirable features might show themselves without warning.
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