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INSPECTION REPORT.
Whilst on other inspection duty in Rajahmundry I inspected the water-supply arrang
e -
m e n t s o f t h e j a i l . T h e a n a l y s e s w i l l s h o w t h a t t h e q u a l i t y o f t h e w e l l w a t e r i s v e r y b a d o n
the whole, but that the sample taken from the service reservoir was considerably worse than
that taken from the well. I carefully examined the well for cracks in the masonry. A large
number of roots of trees have penetrated the stone, but it does not appear that there is any
leakage of surface water into the well at these points. Consequently one is forced to believe
that the water is actually polluted some distance away from the well.
The chemical analyses suggest that the pollution is of fairly old standing and the. poro
sity of the soil would account for the number of fœcal organisms that are found in the well.
Careful inspection of the neighbourhood does not show any very serious possiblity of contami-
nation, but I consider that one of the block latrines, the hospital latrine, and also the place
where incineration of dysentric stools is carried out, are too near the well considering the great
porosity of gravelly soils. The well is pumped hard every day, and supplies water for
over 1,000 people, so that this will make the area of supply to the well very large and the
utmost possible care must be taken in respect of the two latrines mentioned. I consider it
would be better to remove the place where incineration is carried on to some point outside the
walls, further distant from the well. It is rather unfortunate that the pumps are placed in the
well as this necessitates an engine attender going down into the well two or three times a day
to lubricate the machinery. I do not consider, however, that this is the real cause of the pollu
tion because the fœcal organisms are extremely numerous. Care, however, should be taken to
see that as little dust as possible gets into the well on these occasions. The jailor tells me that
bats are occasionally found living under the lid of the well. These should all be driven out
by sulphur fumes, and all doors in the well cover should be kept closed at night to prevent
the entrance of bats.
The additional pollution in the service reservior is due to the following facts :
—
(1) That the discharge pipe is curved over into the water to a depth of about 2 feet,
and consequently, when the reservoir has been filled up and pumping has ceased the pipe
acts as a syphon and half of the water in the service reservoir is syphoned back again into the
well. In order to prevent this every day a man is sent into the service reservoir to stop up
the end of the pipe with a rag. This is a most dangerous and unnecessary proceeding. All
that is required is to cut off the pipe, level with the top of the reservoir.
(2) I am also informed that since the analysis was made several inches of silt have
been removed from the bottom of the reservoir, which very likely acted as a breeding ground
of undesirable fœcal bacilli. The jail has not a good history for health and I recommend that
if any epidemics of bowel complaints are reported, information may be sent to the Sanitary
Commissioner, and fresh samples be taken and analysed. At present the drinking water is
being boiled.