NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
177
Chemical Analyses.
,SAMPLE NO. I.
SAMPLE NO. IV
Physical
a pp earances.
Colour and
Transparency.
Colourless and clear.
Colourless and clear.
Smell.
None.
None.
QUANTITATIVE.
'Total solids ' r ..
..
..
..
.. Parts per 100,000 ..
27-600
17.000
..
..
l'emporary hardness
..
..
11-000
5 500
Permanent hardness
..
. . ..
Do.
..
1.000
• •
• •
Total hardness
• •
..
Do
11.500
6.500
'Chlorine
..
..
..
..
..
Do.
.
3.195
1.775
Ammoniacal Nitrogen
..
• •
•
Do.
0.006
0.002
. .
• •
A lbuminoid Nitrogen
..
'
0.009
Trace.
'Ox y gen absorbed (Tidy's Process) ..
..
Do.
0.042
0.007
Nitric Nitrogen
..
..
..
..
Do.
0.025
0.037
QUALITATIVE.
Nitrites
..
..
..
. ,
..
..
..
• .
Nil.
Al.
Sulphates ..
..
..
..
..
.
..
..
..
Present.
Present.
Phosphates
.. ..
• •
. .
. .
• •
..
• •
Nil .
Nil.
Iron, poisonous metals ..
..
..
..
..
..
..
,Nil.
Nil.
REPORT.
In spite of a rainfall of nearly 32 inches since the last samples were , taken, the river bed on
this occasion is reported. as dry. The heavy rainfall has however had the effect of cleansing up
the catchment area, so that a satisfactory report on the condition of the water is possible. The
water of the river contains 330 germs to the cc. and foecal bacilli in 1 cc. This is above the
general average of rivers in quality, and though a considerable number of varieties are repre-
sented among the excremental organisms, this is no more than was to be expected taking the
heavy rainfall into consideration. The filtered water from the suction well shows a marked
improvement. The total count has been reduced, and that most markedly among the germs of
animal origin, which are now only one-tenth as numerous as in the unfiltered water, and are
represented by a single species of an unobjectionable kind. As this species is not present in the
unfiltered water it indicates that the filters are working efficiently, and have probably removed
nearly all of the germs originally present in the water, those subsequently present being derived.
from the post-filtration passages. The samples from the distributary system show an equally
' or more gratifying scarcity of animal organisms, but the large increases in the total counts
point to a considerable accumulation of silt in the pipes.
Chemically the water is fair originally and has been improved up to a quite satisfactory
standard by filtration.
179
SAMPLE V.—TAP WATER NEAR SAIDAPET 'l'OLL-GATE.
Co l o n y
number Lact os e
Sa c c ha r os e
Dul ci t e
Ad o n i t e
I n u l i n
V o g e s a n d p r o s k
I n d o l
Mot i l i t y
Gr o u p
Bacillus.
Group and
remarks.
(a) Total colonies per cc. on agar at 37°—
countless.
(b) Bile salt lactose, medium.
+
―
1
+ + + +
——
― ― ― ―
—
III B. Pneumoniæ. Group I, nil.
1 tube 20 cc. of water taken
..
..
1
..
2 + + ++ +
— — —
_ III
Do.
..
„ II, nil.
2 tubes 10 cc.
„ ..
1
1
3
+ + + +
— — —
_ III
Do.
..
„ III, 10.
3
„ 5 Cc.
.. •
• •
„
1
2
4
+ + + — -
—
_ III
Do.
.
„ IV, nil.
3
„
1 cc.
„
..
••
3
5
+ +
+ + —
_ — — III
Do.
..
3
„
-1 cc.
••
3
6 ++ -1---1-- —
— III
Do.
3
„
-01 cc.
,,
..
..
.
3
7 ++++— -- I -
— 1 --
- - — III
Do.
Class I, nil.
„
,,
..
..
..
8 + ++
— — — — III
..
Do.
..
II, 10.
g
(c) Fcecal bacilli in 5 cc. and upwards.
9 + + + — — — — III
Do.
..
„
III, nil.
10 + +1-1-
I
+ — — — — III
Do.
..
„
REPORT.
Bacteriologically the conditions found on examining these samples are those typical of dry weather. Germs
of excremental origin are few in number and only one or two species are represented in any one sample. The
total count of saprophytic germs is however undesirably high, and a reason for this is to be found in the
chemical constituents of the water. Chemically the water is bad, and probably many germs find in it a suitable
medium for growing in. The figures for albuminoid nitrogen and absorbed oxygen are too high in all the
samples. This points to the presence of organic matter in the water, and the ratio of the nitrogen to the oxygen
is too high to support the contention that that organic matter is of purely vegetable origin. At least a portion of
the organic matter being of animal origin it follows that the gathering ground or the channels are not suffici-
ently conserved, and though the prevailing weather conditions have brought about the disappearance of the
objectionable and dangerous features of animal pollution, there is but small ground for security should less arid
weather supervene. 'I he water of the Red Hills lake furnishes a good example of the purification brought
about by the action of sunlight. Fæcal bacilli in it are only one-fifth as numerous as in the supply channel, and
yet the total count is just as high or higher. Sedimentatiou, we must suppose, will affect all sorts of germs
equally, but here we have distinct evidence of one class of germ, fortunately the class we desire to get rid of, being
more susceptible than the purely saprophytic classes are.
180
Chemical Analyses.
SAMPLE No. I.
SAMPLE No.
II.
Physical appearances.
Colour and
Transparency.
White and opaque.
Yellowish and hazy.
Smell.
None.
None.
QUANTITATIVE .
Total solids
..
..
..
.. Parts per 100,000 ..
45.600
21.600
Temporary hardness
..
..
..
Do...
12.000
5.000
Permanent hardness
..
..
..
Do...
0.500
1500
Total hardness
..
..
..
..
Do...
12.500
6 500
Chlorine
.
..
..
..
..
Do...
8.520
3.195
Ammoniacal Nitrogen ..
..
..
Do...
0 . 0 0 3
0.006
A1buminoid Nitrogen
..
..
..
Do...
0 . 0 1 6
0.020
Oxygen absorbed (Tidy's Process)
..
Do.
..
0.141
0.146
Nitric Nitrogen ..
..
..
..
Do.. .
Nil.
Nil.
QUALITATIVE.
Nitrites ..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Nil.
Nil.
Sulphates
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Present.
Present.
Phosphates
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Nil.
Nil
Iron, poisonous metals
..
..
..
..
..
..
Nil.
Nil.
SAMPLE No. III.
SAMPLE No. V.
Physical appearances.
Colour and
Transparency.
Yellowish and
hazy.
Yellowish but clear
Smell.
None.
None.
QUANTITATIVE.
Total solids
..
..
..
.. Parts per 100,000 ..
20.000
19.800
Temporary hardness
..
..
..
D o
•
4.50
4.250
Permanent hardness
..
..
..
Do.. .
1.00
1.250
Total hardness
.•
..
••
..
Do
5.50
5.500
Chlorine
..
..
..
..
..
Do...
3.27
3.27
Ammoniacal Nitrogen
..
..
Do...
0.006
Albuminoid Nitrogen
..
..
..
Do...
0.24
0.24
Oxygen absorbed (Tidy's Process)
..
Do.• •
0-156
0.14
Nitric Nitrogen ..
..
..
..
Do.
• •
Nil.
Nil.
QUALITATIVE.
Nitrites ..
..
..
..
—
• •
..
..
..
Nil.
Nil.
Sulphates
• .
.
..
..
. .
..
Present.
Present.
Phosphates
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Nil.
Nit.
Iron, poisonous metals
..
..
..
..
..
..
Nil.
Nil.
182
Chemical Analyses.
SAMPLE No. I.
SAMPLE NO. IV
Physical
appearances.
Colour and
Transparency.
White but clear.
White but clear.
Smell.
None.
None.
QUANTITATIVE.
Total solids ..
..
..
..
. •
Pads per 100,000 ..
9.000
•
8.800
..
..
. •
Temporary hardness..
..
2.000
2.000
Permanent hardness.. •
• •
Do.
..
2.500
2.500
Total hardness
..
..
..
..
Do.
..
4.500
4.500
Chlorine
..
..
..
..
Do.
0.887
0.887
Ammoniacal Nitrogen
..
• •
• .
Do.
'
..
0.003
0.002
Albuminoid Nitrogen
....
Do.
..
0.004
0.003
Oxygen absorbed (Tidy's .Process). .
Do.
..
0.033
0.025
Nitric Nitrogen
..
..
..
..
Do.
..
Trace.
Trace.
QUALITATIVE.
Nitrites
..
. - • • • • • • .. . • ..
Nil.
Nil.
Trace.
Sulphates ..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Trace.
Phosphates..
• -
• •
• •
- -
• •
• •
Nil.
Iron, poisonous metals ..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Nil.
— - —
—
REPORT.
•
Considering that the Bugga river was partially flooded when these samples were taken, it
is rather surprising to get such good results. The river water with a total count of 780 per cc.
and only one organism of animal origin in five cubic centimetres is distinctly good. After
passage through the infiltration gallery the animal organisms are slightly reduced, but the total
count is largely increased, so that it cannot be said that improvement has resulted. The filtra-
tion gallery and passages are probably dirty. The sample from a tap in Yerramukkupalli is
like that of the original river water but with a rather higher total count. The sample drawn in
the Geddy bazaar road shows the worst results having a total count of close on three thousand,
with fæcal germs in as little as one cc. These must have been derived from the pipes, as the
few varieties present in any of the samples seems to preclude the idea of surface pollution leaking.
into the pipes. In all the samples the nature of the germs present shows that a considerable.
amount of natural purification has gone on in the water.
Chemically the water is excellent.
183
ADONI .
SAMPLES TAKEN—26TH OCTOBER 1909.
REMARKS.—There has been about 12 inches of rain since last analysis. The tank now contains about 12 feet of water.
Bacteriological Analyses.
—......
SAMPLE I.—FROM THE SPRING.
C o l o n y n u m b e r
L a c t o s e S a c c h a r o s e .
D u l c i t e A d o n i t e I n u l i n . V o g e s a n d P r o s k . I n d o l .
M o t i l i t y . G r o u p .
Bacillus.
Group and
Remarks.
(a) Total colonies per cc. on agar at 37°—120.
(b) Bile salt lactose, medium.
+ —
1
Group I.
2
„ II.
1 tube 20 cc. of water taken .. .
..
1
3
„ III.
2 tubes 10 CC.
”
..
..
2
4
„ IV.
3„ 5 cc.
,,
..
..
3
5
3 „
1 cc.
,,
. .
3
6
3 „ ·1 cc. ,, ..
..
3
7
3 „ ·01 cc. ,, .. ..
..
3
8
Class I.
9
„ II.
(e) F'œcal bacilli not present m 60 cc
10
,, III
SAMPLE II.—FROM. THE TANK.
1
Group I
(a) Total colonies per cc. on agar at 37°—1,890
2
,, II.
(b) Bile salt lactose, medium.
+
- 3
,, Il I.
4
„ IV..
5
1 tube 20 cc. of water taken..
..
..
1
6
2 tubes 10 cc.
1
1
7
3„
5 cc
. .
3
8
Class I.
3 „ 1 cc.
..
1
2
9
,, II..
3 „ ·1 cc.
. .
3
10
,, III.
3 „
· 0 1 c c .
, , . .
. . ..
3
(e) Fœcal Facilli in 30 cc
SAMPLE III.—FILTER RESERVOIR (FILTERED WATER).
(a) Total colonies per cc. on agar at 37°—Countless.
1 + + — — — — + — IV Coscoroba
.. Group I, nil.
2 + + — — — — + — IV
Do.
..
„
II, nil.
(b) Bile salt lactose, medium.
+
-
3
+ + - - - - + - IV
Do.
. .
,, III, nil.
4 + + — - - — + — IV
Do,
, .
„ IV, 10.
5
+ +
--
- - - +
-- IV
Do..
1 tube 20 cc. of water taken
..
..
1
.
6 + + - — - - + -
I V
D o .
2 tubes 10 cc., ,
..
.. . .
2
7 + + — — — — + — IV
Do.
3 „
5 cc.
..
..
1
2
8 + + — — — — .+ — IV
Do.
.. Class I, nil.
3 „ 1 cc...
.
.
1
2
9 + + — — — — + — IV
Do.
..
„ II, 10.
3 „ ·1 cc.
3
10 + + — — — — + — IV
Do.
..
„ III, nil.
3 „ • 01 cc.,,
• •
••
..
3
(e) Fœcal bacilli in 20 cc. and upwards.
_
SAMPLE IV —A TAP IN EASTERN CORNER OPPOSITE TO MUNICIPAL
H O S P I T A L .
1 +
- - - - -
+ —
I B. Vesiculosus .. Group I, 10.
(a) Total colonies per cc. on agar at 37°—Cannot be counted.
2 + - - - - - + — I
Do.
..
„ II, nil.
3 + - - - - - - -
I B. Mutabilis
, .
„ III, nil.
(b) Bile salt lactose, medium.
+ —
4 + - - - - - + — I B. Vesiculosus ..
„ IV, nil,
5 + - - - - - + — I
Do.
6 + — — — — — + — I
Do.
1 tube 20 cc. of water taken..
.. ..
1 ,7 + - - - - - + — I
Do.
2 tubes 10 cc.
..
..
1
1
8 + — — — — — + — I
Do,
.. Class I, nil.
3 „ 5cc.
,,
..
..
1
2
9 + — — — — — + —
I
Do.
..
„ II, nil.
3 „ 1 cc.
,,
..
3 10 + - — — — — + — I
Do.
..
I
,, III, 10.
3 ,, ·1 cc.
,,
..
3
3 „ ·01 cc.,,
..
. .
3
(e) Fœcal bacilli in 30 cc. and upwards.
184
SAMPLEV . — A
T A P I N W E S T E R N C O R N E R . I N K I L C H U P E T R O A D .
(a) Total colonies per co. on agar at 37°—Cannot be counted.
1
+ — — — — — + — I B. Vesiculosus .. Group 1, 3.
2 + ± — — — — + + — IV B. Coscoroba, .,, II, nil.
3
+ — — — — — — + — I B. Vesiculosus .. „ III, nil.
(b) Bile salt lactose, medium.
+
— 4 + + — — — — — + —
I V B. Coscoroba. „.. IV,, 7.
5 + + — — — — + +
I V
Do.
I tube 20 co. of water taken
..
..
1
..
6 + + — — — — —
+ — IV
Do.
2 tubes 10 cc.
..
..
1
1
7 + — — — — – + — I B. Vesiculosus.. Class I, nil.
3 „
5 cc.
If
..
..
1
2
8 + + — – – – +- – IV B. Coscoroba.. „ II, 7.
3
1 c
••
••
3
9 + + — — – – + – IV
Do,„ III, 3.
„
3 „
.1. c
,7
)2
..
..
3
10 + + — — -- -- + -- IV
Do.
3 ,. • 01 cc
„ „
..
..
••
•(c) Fæcal bacilli in. 20 cc. and upwards.
REPORT
The results obtained from the chemical and bacteriological examination of these samples are distinctly
at variance. From the bacteriological point of view the results are very good and the spring water especially
is of exceptional purity. The tank water is not quite so good and shows a much higher total of saprophytic
organisms, but can still be considered a good water. As frequently observed before, filtration has not
improved the water, the filtered water showing no reduction in foecal germs and a very largely increased number
of saprophytic organisms. This points to the post filtration passages being considerably fouled with
micro-organisms which though unobjectionable in themselves cannot be considered a desirable addition to the
water, and. renders the filtration of the water a proceeding of doubtful utility. The samples drawn from the
distributary system show similar result to those obtained from the filtered water.
Chemically the water is not satisfactory, the figures for albuminoid nitrogen and for absorbed oxygen being
much too high and the ratio between them being such as to point to organic pollution of animal origin.
Under the circumstances the relative degree of bacterial purity shown is rather surprising. A. possible
explanation of this state of affairs might be found in the supposition that organic pollution of animal origin is
gaining access to the tank but through strata which effectively exclude the associated micro-organisms.
The foul state of the post filtration passages is probably in direct relation with the presence of this organic
matter in the water, the micro-organisms thereby finding suitable pabulum for their growth.
185
Chemical Analyses.
SAMPLE No. II.
SAMPLE No. V.
... —
Physical
appearances.
Colour and
•
transparency.
Yellowish and
opaque.
Yellowish and hazy.
Smell.
None.
None.
QUANTITATIVE.
Total solids
..
..
..
..
• .
Parts per 100,000.
17-000
17.200
Temporary hardness
..
..
.,
..
Do.
6.000
5000
Permanent hardness
..
...
. .
Do.
1-000
2.000
Total hardness ..
.„.
..
..
Do.
7'000
7.000
Chlorine ..
..
.
..
..
..
Do.
0.710
0.710
Ammoniacal Nitrogen ..
..
..
..
Albuminoid Nitrogen
.
..
..
..
Do.
Do.
0.006
0.054
0 005
0.040
Oxygen absorbed (Tidy's Process)..
0.278
0264
Nitric Nitrogen ..
..
..
..
..
Do.
Trace.
Trace.
QITALITATIVE.
Nitrites
..
—
..
..
..
..
,...
..
Nil.
Nil.
Sulphates ..
..
..
..
..
..
Trace.
Trace.
Phosphates
Nil.
Nil.
Iron, poisonous metals ..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Nil, Nil.
Nil, Nil.
47
189
Chemical Analyses.
SAMPLE No. I.
SAMPLE NO. II.
Physical
appearances.
Colour and
transparency.
Slightly yellowish but
clear.
Colourless and clear.
Smell.
None.
None.
QUANTITATIVE.
2.400
2·600
Total solids .. .. .. .. ... Parts per 100,000..
Nil.
Nil.
Temporary hardness
.. .. ..
Do.
..
0.500
0.500
Permanent hardness .. .. .. ..
Do.
..
0.500
0.500
Total hardness .. .. .. ..
Do.
..
0.355
0.355
Chlorine
.. .. .. .. ..
Do.
..
0.003
0.004
Ammoniacal Nitrogen
.. ..
Do.
..
0.004
0.002
Albuminoid Nitrogen
Do.
..
Oxygen absorbed (Tidy's Process) .. ..
Do.
..
0.047
0.035
Nil
Nil.
Nitric Nitrogen
.. .. .. ..
Do.
..
QUALITATIVE.
Nitrites .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
Nil.
Nil.
Nil.
Nil.
Sulphates.. .. .. .. .. ..
Nil.
Nil.
Phosphates .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
Nil, Nil.
Nil, Nil.
Iron, poisonous metals
.. .. .. ..
..
SAMPLE No. IV.
SAMPLE No. VI.
Physical
appearances.
Colour and
transparency.
Yellowish and hazy.
Yellowish and hazy.
None.
None.
Smell.
QUANTITATIVE.
3.200
3.000
Total solids .. .. .. .. .. Parts per 100,000..
N i l
Nil.
Temporary hardness .. .. .. ..
Do.
..
0 . 5 0 0
0.500
Permanent hardness .. .. .. ..
Do.
..
0 . 5 0 0
0.500
Total hardness
.. .. .. ..
Do.
..
0.426
0 . 4 2 6
Chlorine
.. .. .. .. ..
Do.
..
0.002
0.003
Ammoniacal Nitrogen
.. .. ..D o .
. .
0.004
0.011
Albuminoid Nitrogen
.. .. ..
Do.
..
0.083
0.095
Oxygen absorbed ( Tidy's Process)
.. ..
Do.
. .
Nil.
Nitric Nitrogen
.. .. .. ..
Do.
..
Nil.
QUALITATIVE.
Nitrites .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
Nil.
Nil.
Sulphates
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
Nil.
Nil.
_Nil.
Nil.
Phosphates
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
Nil, Nil.
Nil, Nil.
Iron, poisonous metals .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
SAMPLE NO. IX.
SAMPLE No. X.
Physical
appearances.
Colour and
transparency.
Slightly yellowish but
clear.
Slightly yellowish but
clear.
Smell.
None.
None.
QUANTITATIVE.
Total solids .. .. .. .. .. Parts per 100,000..
3.000
4.400
0.500
Nil.
Temporary hardness .. .. .. ..
Do.
..
1·000
0 · 5 0 0
Permanent hardness .. .. .. ..
Do.
..
0.500
1.500
Total hardness
.. .. .. ..
Do.
..
0.568
0.426
Chlorine
.. .. ..
Do.
..
0.004
0 . 0 0 3
Ammoniaoal Nitrogen.. .. .. ..
Do.
..
0.003
Albuminoid Nitrogen.. .. .. ..
Do.
..
0.002
0.049
0.056
Oxygen absorbed (Tidy's Process) .. ..
Do.
..
Trace.
N i l
Nitric Nitrogen
.. .. .. ..
Do.
..
QUALITATIVE.
Nil.
Nil.
Nitrites
.. .. .. ..
Sulphates
.. ... .. .. .. .. ..
Nil.
Trace.
Nil
Phosphates
.. .. .. ..
N i l
Iron, poisonous metals.. .. .. .. .. .. ..
Nil.
Nil, Nil.
48
192
Chemical Analyaes.
SAMPLE No. II.
SAMPLE No. IV.
Physical
appearances.
Colour and
transparency.
Yellowish and hazy.
Slightly yellowish but
clear.
None.
None.
Smell.
QUANTITATIVE.
Total solids
..
..
..
..
.. Parts per 100,000..
14.200
13.000
3.000
3.000
Temporary hardness ..
..
..
..
Do.
..
2.000
2.000
Permanent hardness ..
..
Do. . .
5.000
5.000
Total hardness.
..
..
.
D o
. .
1.952
1.962
Chlorine
..
..
..
..
..
Do. . .
0.003
0.004
Ammoniacal Nitrogen
..
..
..
Do.
..
0.022
0.013
Albuminoid Nitrogen ..
..
..
..
Do.
..
0.106
0.149
Oxygen absorbed ( Tidy's Process) ..
..
Do.
..
Nitric Nitrogen
..
..
..
..
Do.
..
Trace.
0.040
QUALITATIVE.
I
N i l .
Nitrites ..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Nil.
P r e s e n t .
Present.
Sulphates ..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Nil.
Nil.
Phosphates
..
..
..
.. ..
..
..
..
Nil, Nil.
Nil, Nil.
Iron, poisonous metals ..
..
..
..
..
..
..
1 9 4
Chemical Analyses.
SAMPLE No. I.
SAMPLE No. IV.
Physical
appearances.
Colour and
Transparency.
Yellowish but clear.
Slightly yellowish
but clear.
Smell.
None.
None.
QUANTITATIVE.
Total solids .. .. .. .. ..
Parts per 100,000 ..
2.000
2.200
Temporary hardness
..
..
. .
Do.
..
Nil.
Nil.
Permanent hardness
..
..
..
Do. ..
0.500
0.500
Total hardness ..
..
.. ..
Do.
..
0.500
0.500
Chlorine
..
..
..
..
..
Do. ..
0.426 0.426
Ammoniacal Nitrogen
..
..
..
Do.
..
0.003 0.003
Albuminoid Nitrogen
..
..
..
Do.
..
0.002
Trace.
Oxygen absorbed ( Tidy's Process) .. ..
Do
..
0.005
0.035
Nitric Nitrogen
..
..
..
..
Do.
..
Nil.
Nil.
QUALITATIVE.
Nitrites ..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Nil.
Nil.
Sulphates ..
..
..
..
..
..
. . . . . . . .
Nil.
Nil.
Phosphates
..
..
..
..
..
. . . . . .
Nil.
N i l .
Iron, poisonous metals ..
..
..
..
..
.. ..
Nil.
Nil.
REPORT.
Bacteriological.—In the last report submitted on the analysis of samples from this water
-supply attention was called to evidence of pollution getting into the water of the service reservoir,
either directly or during the passage of the water from the storage reservoir. On the present
occasion the evidence of such pollution is much more marked, and the water of the service reser-
voir is in an exceedingly unsatisfactory state. The matter should be looked into at once. There
are one hundred fœcal germs to the cc., the number of species represented is large and includes
organisms belonging to Class I. This indicates that pollution has been recent and extensive and
therefore dangerous. The water from the storage reservoir is much the same as on the last
occasion, not at all so free from animal organisms as one would wish, and as almost certainly
might be attained, but still showing no evidence of recent dangerous pollution. The water
drawn from the fountain in front of the choultry near the Railway Station shows a largely
increased total count, but is otherwise similar to the water of the storage reservoir. Probably
this section of the pipe contains some silt, and would be the better of scouring out. On this
occasion the water drawn from the fountain in front of the Post Office is considerably better than
any of the other samples and if this water comes direct from the service reservoir, the improve-
ment effected by the so-called pipe action is quit notable.
Chemically the water leaves nothing to be desired.
196
Chemical Analyses.
SAMPLE NO. I.
SAMPLE No. IV.
Physical
appearances.
Colour and
Transparency.
White and opaque.
Colourless and clear.
Smell.
None.
None.
QUANTITATIVE.
49.600
Total solids ..
..
..
..
.. Parts per 100,000 ..
47.800
Temporary hardness
..
..
..
Do.
• .
11.000
19.000
Permanent hardness..
• •
.
Do .
..
1.000
1.000
Total hardness
..
..
..
..
Do.
12.000
20.000
Chlorine
..
..
..
..
Do...
7 . 1 0 0
8.520
Ammoniacal Nitrogen
..
..
Do.
, ...
0.004
0.004
Albuminoid Nitrogen
..
..
..
Do.
• •
0.018
Trace.
0.167
0.014
Oxygen absorbed (Tidy's Process) ..
..
Do.
• •
0.025
Nitric Nitrogen
..
..
..
..
Do.
Trace.
Q U A L I T A T I V E .
Nitrites
..
..
..
..
• •
..
• •
• •
• •
Nil.
Nil.
Present.
Present.
Sulphates ..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Nil.
Nil.
Phosphates
..
..
..
..
..
• •
• •
..
Nil.
Iron, poisonous metals ..
.. . ..
..
..
..
..
Nil.
REPORT.
The river Pennar being low when the samples were taken the condition of the water is
considerably different and considerably better than on the last occasion when the river was in
full flood. There are fœcal germs in one cc. of the water but the varieties present indicate that
considerable natural purification has gone on in the water.
This being the case it is all the more disappointing to find that the bad state of the filtra
- t i o n a r r a n g e m e n t s a d v e r t e d t o i n t h e l a s t r e p o r t h a s n o t b e e n i n a n y w a y a l t e r e d , a n d t h e
consequent fouling of the water stands out comparatively in a much more marked manner.
With a hundred fœcal germs to the cc., a large number of species represented and the majority
of these belonging to the highly susceptible class I the water could hardly be worse. Bacterio
- l o g i c a l l y i t s h o w s e v e r y s i g n o f r e c e n t a n d e x t e n s i v e p o l l u t i o n .
The water from the distributary system is much better and yields quite a notable instance
of the cleansing action of pipes. Special mention should be made of the sample drawn from the
Fountain 52, in front of the District Court. On the last analysis the water drawn here gave
very bad results. If the improvement presently noticed is due to the overhauling of this
section of the pipe line as recommended, the result is quite satisfactory. The presence of a
single colony of B. Schafferi, belonging to class I is probably accidental.
Chemically the water contains more saline matter than on the last occasion, which is quite
explicable by the low state of the river. As regards organic matter the water from the distri
-butary system is better than the unfiltered river water.