DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

HUBERT WORK, Secretary

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

GEORGE OTIS SMITH, Director

Water-Supply Paper 496

THE INDUSTRIAL UTILITY OF PUBLIC WATER 

SUPPLIES IN THE UNITED STATES

BY

W. D. COLLINS

WASHINGTON

«OVERNMENT FEINTING OFFICE 

1923
ADDITIONAL COPIES

OF THIS PUBLICATION MAT BE PBOCUBED^FBOM

THE SUPERINTENDENT OF DOCUMENTS

GOVEBNMENT PBINTING OFFICE

"WASHINGTON, D. C.

AT 

10 CENTS PER COPY

PURCHASES AGREES NOT TO RESELL OBjDISTRIBUTEiTHIS 

COPT TOE PBOFIT. PUB. EES. 57, APPBOVED MAT 11, 1922.
CONTENTS.

Page.

Introduction.............................................................. 1

Effects of mineral constituents on the value of water..................... 1

Extent of industrial and domestic use of water........................... 2

Analyses of water from public supplies...................................... 2

Sources of analyses.................................................... 2

Accuracy of analyses.................................................. 4

Expression of results.................................................. 5

Total dissolved solids.................................................. 5

Loss on ignition...................................................... 5

Mineral constituents determined........................................ 6

Silica............................................................ 6

Iron (iron and aluminum oxides).. ................................ 6

Calcium and magnesium........................................... ' 7

Sodium and potassium............................................. 7

Bicarbonate...................................................... 8

Sulphate....-..................................................... 8

Chloride.......................................................... 9

Nitrate........................................................... 9

Hardness............................................................ 9

 Distribution of hard water............................................. 9

Sources of public supplies................................................. 14

Solution of rock materials.............................................. 14

Soft, hard, and alkali waters..................................:........ 14

Natural surface water................................................. 15

Treated surface water.................................................. 16

Ground water........................................................ 16

Treatment of water for public supplies...................................... 18

Sanitary considerations................................................ 18

Chlorination......................................................... 19

Sedimentation....................................................... 19

Coagulation and sedimentation........................................ 19

Filtration without coagulation (slow sand filters)......................... 21

Filtration after coagulation............................................. 21

Municipal softening................................................... 23

Quantities of chemicals used in treatment of the water of public supplies. 24

Removal of iron and manganese....................................... 25

Industrial treatment of water from public supplies.......................... 25

Clarification........................................................... 25

Prevention of corrosion............................................... 25

Softening with lime and soda.......................................... 25

Softening with exchange silicates...................................... 26

Treatment with heat and within the boiler.............................. 27

Summary................................................................ 27

Descriptions and analyses of public supplies................................ 27

in
ILLUSTRATIONS.

Page.

PLATE I. Average hardness, by States, of water furnished by public supply 

systems in over 300 cities in the United States and population, by 

States, of the cities considered................................. 12

FIGURE 1. Number of persons using water of certain degrees of hardness from

large public supply systems in over 300 cities in the United States. 15

IT
THE INDUSTRIAL UTILITY OF PUBLIC WATER 

SUPPLIES IN THE UNITED STATES.

By W. D. COLLINS.

INTRODUCTION.

EFFECTS OF MINERAL CONSTITUENTS ON THE VALUE OF WATER.

Nearly everyone is familiar with the difficulty of using soap with 

"hard" water. This difficulty, which is probably the most widely 

known of the ill effects of dissolved mineral matter in water, is not 

only troublesome in the home but is still more troublesome in commercial laundries. The ill effect of the mineral constituents that 

produce the hardness goes even further, for it interferes with the 

bleaching and dyeing of fabrics and with other operations, in which 

the substances naturally dissolved in the water may react with 

the chemicals used in the processes employed.

Less widely recognized but probably of greater industrial consequence are the effects of the use of bad water in steam boilers. These 

effects include foaming, corrosion, and the formation of scale. Large 

and continuous expenditures are necessary to overcome these effects 

and to provide for inspections to prevent disaster from the failure of 

boilers that have been weakened by the use of water containing 

undesirable mineral constituents.

In addition to these two classes of industries there are still others 

that can not neglect the consideration of the mineral constituents of 

the water they use. The manufacture of soft drinks, bakery products, and other foods may be affected by the water used. There 

are limits to the quantities of dissolved material that can be permitted in the water used in the manufacture of many chemicals, of 

paper, and of a large number of other articles, though that fact may 

not be known even to many who are engaged in their manufacture. 

Some industries haye grown up in localities where the water contained little dissolved minerajl matter, so that they encountered no 

difficulties from these constituents, but when the processes used 

were tried in places where the water contained more mineral matter 

attention ha-d to be given to the quality of the water.

1
INDUSTRIAL UTILITY OF PUBLIC WATER SUPPLIES.

EXTENT OF INDUSTBIAL AND DOMESTIC USE OF WATEB.

Most of the industrial establishments in the United States are in 

cities containing more than 25,000 inhabitants. Some large plants 

are in smaller places, but their total output is small compared with 

the total output of the plants in the larger cities.

When the census of 1920 was taken, 25.9 per cent of the total population of the United States lived in 68 places of more than 100,000 

inhabitants and 9.8 per cent in 219 places of 25,000 to 100,000 inhabitants, a total of 35.7 per cent in 287 places of more than 25,000 

inhabitants. The rural population amounted to 48.6 per cent, and 

only 15.6 per cent lived in the 2,500 places having 2,500 to 25,000 

inhabitants. Thus it appears that analyses of water from the public 

supplies of 287 places will show the chemical character of the water 

used by nearly 36 per cent of the population of the United States. 

These analyses, however, represent much more-than 36 per cent of 

the water used in industrial processes.

ANALYSES OF WATER FROM PUBLIC SUPPLIES.

SOURCES OF ANALYSES.

The analyses in Table 6 (pp. 28-59) represent water supplied at the 

287 places, each having a population of more than 25,000. Analyses 

are given also for 20 smaller places, in order that every State may be 

represented by at least two cities. Table 1 shows the sources of the 

analyses:

TABLE 1. Sources and types of analyses used in this report.

Source.

 

United States Geological Survey water-resources

Published reports of United States Geological Survey. 

State or municipal laboratories (board of health,

Series of 

analyses.

1

35 

1

27

0

64

Type.

Single 

complete 

analyses.

65

12 

36

33

44

190

Single 

partial 

analyses.

5

0 

61

2

6

74

supplied.

56

53 

86

73

39

307

Populaplied (thousands).

9,727

5,294 

7,289

13, 416

3,031

38,757

The largest number of individual analyses thus tabulated are 

those in the series of published analyses made by the United States 

Geological Survey. These 35 series of analyses include about 30 

in each series, or 1,050 in all. Practically all the 27 series of analyses 

made by waterworks laboratories are analyses of monthly composite 

samples, 12 in a year, making 324 analyses, which, supplemented 

by the 33 single analyses, make 357 hi all from the waterworks 

laboratories.
ANALYSES OF WATER.

The 106 analyses made for this report include the series of 36 

analyses of Washington tap water shown in Table 2, below. For 

these analyses a sample of definite volume was collected each day 

from the clear-water basin at the filtration plant, and from these 

samples 3 composite samples were made each month, the composite 

samples including 10, 10, and 10 daily samples for months with 

30 days, 10, 10, and 11 for the months with 31 days, and 10, 9, and 9 

for February. The analyses thus represent the average water 

obtained by a consumer using the same quantity each day. In 

order to show the real average composition of the water of the city 

supply the volumes of daily samples should have been proportional 

to the quantity of water used each day. To show the average composition of the dissolved material carried by Potoma'c River from 

'which the supply is obtained, the daily samples should have been 

proportional to the discharge of the river.

TABLE 2. Mineral analyses of Washington city water supply, 

[Parts per million. Analyses by Margaret D. Foster.]

Dates of collection 

of sample (1921).

Jan. 1-10............

Jan. 11-20...........

Jan. 21-31...........

Feb. 1-10............

Feb. 11-19...........

Feb. 20-28...........

Mar.1-10.. ..........

Mar. 11-20...........

Mar. 21-31...........

Apr. 1-10............

Apr. 11-20...........

Apr. 21 30...........

May 1-10. ...........

May 11-20...........

May 21-31...........

June 11-20.... .......

July 1-10.. ..........

July 11-20...........

July 21-31...........

Aug. 1-10...........

Aug. 11-20...........

Aug.21-31.. .........

Sept. 1-10............

Sept. 21-30...........

Oct. 1-10..... .......

Oct. 11-20...........

Oct. 21-31...........

Nov.11-20.. .........

Nov.21-30.. .........

Dec. 1-10............

Dec. 21-31...........

Total dissolved solids.

84

83

89

88

86

85

83

77

79

84

90

Qfi

94

76

75

87

95

105

117

122

118

120

111

113

125

121

126

117

124

134

140

145

132

on

89

103

ignition. Loss on

5.5

4.0

3.2

3.3

3.1

3.1

3.0

3.0

3.3

3.2

3.4

2.2

3.1

3.6

3.1

3.4

2.1

2.1

2.4

5.6

7.5

6.0

6.7

7.6

8.8

2.1

1.7

3.1

3.9

2.0

3.1

3.5

3.6

3.8

3.6

3.3

3.8

Silica (SiOs).

8.6

7.5

9.4

9.5

9.6

8.2

7.7

8.1

6.4

6.7

5.8

5.2

5.5

7.1

9.2

8.6

7.8

4.2

4.4

7.7

5.8

5.0

7.0

6.4

4.9

4.4

5.3

6.9

6.3

4.3

3.8

5.5

4.6

6.2

7.2

7.3

6.6

Iron (Fe).

0.15

.08

.08

.08

.07

.08

.06

.06

.05

.05

.05

.04

.04

.09

.09

,03

.03

.02

.07

.07

.08

08

.06

.06

.12

.12

.12

.12

.08

.10

.07

.06

.07

.08

.08

.07

1

 a

o

17

18

18

18

18

18

18

15

17

19

21

93

22

16

15

19

21

26

28

27

26

26

23

24

28

28

on

27

29

32

Q4

34

31

OK

18

18

23

'53

a

1 

1

3.9

4.1

4.2

4.2

4.1

4.1

4.1

3.6

3.8

4 9

4.8

5.5

5.0

3.8

3.7

4.1

4.9

5.7

6.2

6,3

6.0

6.1

5 7

6.2

7.1

7.5

7.0

6.3

6.6

7.5

Q 1

8.1

6.8

6.0

4.5

4.8

5.4

"os

5, 

203

3

3

2.4

2.8

2.5

2.2

2.3

2.1

2.2

2.4

2.9

3 fl

2.4

2.1

2.1

2.7

2.4

2.3

2.3

3.4

3.2

3.6

3.5

3.5

3.7

3

Q

3

E

3.4

3.4

3.9

3.6

4.3

3.9

9 Q

2.8

2.8

3.0

g

o 

PH

3

8

1.4

1.2

1.4

1.3

1.4

1.0

1.2

1.2

1.7

1.5

1.9

1.6

1.3

 1.4

1.3

1.2

.9

1.4

1.4

.9

1.2

1.0

1.4

1.0

1 Q

1.7

1.8

2.0

2.2

1.6

1.6

1.8

.8

.7

1.4

Bicarbonate radicle 

(HCOa).

48

55

56

55

54

51

CO

39

47

57

65

79

68

47

43

CO

64

85

88

77

74

83

69

74

93

98

no

80

92

104

110

109

95

74

43

51

70

Sulphate radicle (SO<).

17

15

15

16

15

16

15

17

16

15

15

18

18

14

14

18

16

16

22

27

26

21

23

21

22

20

22

24

21

24

26

28

29

24

24

20

20

Chloride radicle (Cl).

2.3

2.6

2.6

2.7

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.6

2.5

2.8

2.8

2.9

3.1

2.3

2.3

2.6

3.0

3.2

3.5

3.3

3.5

3.2

3.1

3.3

4.1

4.3

4.3

3.8

4.0

4.5

5.0

5.5

5.3

4.2

2.9

2.7

3.3

Nitrate radicle (NO ).3

6.0

4.3

3.1

3.1

3.3

2.8

2.8

3.2

3.0

2.5

2.5

2.2

2.5

2.9

3.3

3.3

2.9

2.1

2.5

3.1

3.3

2.5

2.8

2.5

1.0

1.4

1.9

2.9

3.2

1.9

1.4

L9

1.9

2.3

4.6

4.8

2.8

Total hardness as

(calculated). CaCOg 

58

62

62

62

62

62

CO

52

58

65

72

on

75

ftfi

53

64

73

88

95

93

QA

90

81

85

99

101

104

93

100

111

118

118

105

87

63

65

80
4 INDUSTRIAL UTILITY OF PUBLIC WATER SUPPLIES.

The daily samples taken for the 35 series of analyses reported in 

published water-supply papers were combined for analysis in the 

same way as the Washington samples, except that most of the composites were made up of 10 daily samples without adjustment to 

form a composite at the end of each month.

The analyses made in the laboratories of State boards of health 

and other public laboratories, except waterworks laboratories, and 

the analyses made by private laboratories amount to 148, of which 

67 are incomplete.

ACCURACY -OP ANALYSES.

The analyses were made by well-established methods, and the 

results have been examined carefully for indications of possible 

inaccuracies. There is little doubt of the accuracy of the analyses 

of the samples examined, and in general the samples were as representative as any that could be obtained.

The mineral content of the water of many municipal supplies varies 

so much from day to day that in addition to an analysis giving 

average results analyses giving maximum and minimum results are 

necessary to show the probable range in the quantities of the several 

constituents.

The water supplied to some cities for which no satisfactory analyses 

are available is represented by the analysis or analyses of that 

supplied to another city that uses water of practically the same kind. 

The analysis of a sample from Chicago is used for a number of other 

cities that are supplied with water from Lake Michigan. Analyses 

for Cincinnati, Ohio, serve for several other cities using water from 

Ohio Kiver.

The analyses of river waters made by the United States Geological 

Survey from 1905* to 1912 have been used for a number of cities. 

At practically all these cities the river water is treated with 

chemicals and filtered. Although the treatment changes the composition of the water slightly, the older analyses usually show the 

probable composition of the water well enough for all practical 

purposes.

Incomplete or partial analyses are given of the waters from a 

number of municipal supplies, most of which contain only small 

quantities of dissolved mineral matter. The exact composition 

of the dissolved solids in these waters is of comparatively little 

importance. In nearly all of them the constituents are present in 

practically the same proportions as in the water of some neighboring 

supply that contains about the same total quantity of dissolved 

solids.
ANALYSES OE WATBE. 5

EXPRESSION QF RESULTS.

In accordance with the long establiahed practice of the United 

States Geological Survey the analyses are given in parts per million 

of the radicles determined. In a number of the analyses the quantities of some of the constituents have been calculated, aiid in all 

the analyses in which calcium and magnesium are given the hardness is calculated. In all the others the hardness reported was 

determined. The complete analyses include determinations of total 

dissolved solids, loss on ignition, silica, iron, calcium, magnesium, 

sodium and potassium together, bicarbonate, sulphate, chloride, 

nitrate, and total hardness (calculated). Each of these determinations is discussed in succeeding paragraphs with reference to its 

reliability and its significance.

TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS.

The results given under "Total solids" show approximately the 

total quantity of mineral matter in each water analyzed. The 

quantity of total solids is determined by weighing the residue obtained by evaporating a given quantity of water. The weight of 

this residue after it has been heated one hour at 180° C. is very 

nearly that of dissolved material. In many laboratories it is customary to heat the residue to only 103° or"105° before weighing, but 

the weight is then too high. The determinations of total solids were 

not reported for some analyses, but if enough other determinations 

were reported the quantity of total solids was taken as the sum of 

the constituents, the bicarbonate being calculated as carbonate. 

If silica was not determined it was assumed to be 10 or 20 parts 

per million, according to the quantity of total solids.

LOSS ON IGNITION.

In analyses of water made to show its sanitary condition the loss 

on ignition is sometimes supposed to represent the amount of organic 

matter in the water, and the residue after ignition, the "fixed residue," to be the mineral matter in the water. As indicated above, 

however, the residue at 103° or 105° represents much more than 

the dissolved mineral matter. Sometimes its weight includes that 

of considerable water. The so-called "fixed residue"' is frequently 

less than the total dissolved mineral matter. Most residues from 

the evaporation of water do not lose much weight when ignited 

gently after they have been heated for one hour at 180°.

The loss on ignition reported in the tables indicates the relation 

of the quantity of total solids to the quantity of mineral matter in 

solution in the water, a quantity that is practically always between 

that of the determined total solids and that of the residue after 

ignition. In most of tlfie analyses in which the loss on ignition is 

not given itj is probably not over 10 per cent of ^e total sojids.
t> INDUSTRIAL UTILITY OF PUBLIC WATER SUPPLIES. 

MINERAL CONSTITUENTS \DETERMINED.

Silica. Silica is dissolved from practically all rocks.. Its state 

in natural water is not definitely known, but in reports of analyses 

it is assumed to be in the colloidal state, taking no part in the equilibrium between the acids and the bases.

A survey of the analyses in this report shows that few of the 

waters examined contained over 30 parts per million of silica. Several 

samples of river water analyzed by the United States Geological 

Survey contained more silica, but although these samples were 

filtered through asbestos or paper before analysis some of them 

contained fine suspended clay that could not be removed by such 

filtration. Coagulation with aluminum sulphate makes possible 

the removal of this fine silt by sedimentation and filtration, so 

that the effluents of filter plants contain less silica than untreated 

waters filtered through paper, and in considering the Geological 

Survey's analyses of river waters used for a city supply that is 

filtered after the use of a coagulant it must be borne in mind that 

the quantity of silica is reduced by the filtration. The silica in 

most filtered waters is not so high as 10 parts per million, and in 

some it is less than 5.

As an insoluble constituent the silica in water contributes to the 

formation of boiler scale, and it sometimes helps to cement the other 

materials into a hard scale. Its presence or absence is said to have 

an effect on some of the exchange-silicate water-softening materials. 

On the whole, however, silica is of comparatively little importance 

in the waters of public supplies.

Iron (iron and aluminum oxides), Iron is dissolved from practically all rocks and is frequently dissolved from iron pipes in sufficient 

quantity to be objectionable.

Iron is reported in all the analyses made by the United States 

Geological Survey and in most of the others. The figures given as 

iron in some analyses represent, as is shown by a footnote, the quantity of iron and aluminum oxides. They do not show the minimum 

limit of the iron, but they do show its maximum limit, for the iron 

can not be more than 0.7 times the oxides.

Few surface waters contain in solution as much as 1 part per million of iron. In most of them the quantity is nearer 0.1 part. Many 

ground waters contain several parts per million of iron, which must 

be removed in order to make the waters satisfactory for domestic 

and industrial use. Only a few of the large cities here considered 

are supplied from sources that furnish such water, but the use of 

such sources is not uncommon in the smaller cities. Water that 

contains much iron is objectionable on account of its appearance 

after exposure to the air and on account of the unsightly stains it 

makes on white porcelain or enameled ware or fixtures and on cloth-
ANALYSES OF WATER. 7

ing or other fabrics washed in it. Smaller quantities of iron are said 

to cause trouble in the use of certain dyes. Excessive iron may interfere with the efficient operation of exchange-silicate water softeners.

Iron is almost completely removed by filtration as practiced at 

water-purification plants, but the treatment sometimes leaves the 

water in such condition that it can and does dissolve iron from pipes, 

particularly hot-water pipes. (Seep. 21.) Some natural waters also 

liave this property.

Aluminum is found only in negligible quantities in natural waters 

used for large public supplies. Under certain conditions of operation 

aluminum may pass through filters but in quantities too small to 

affect seriously the industrial use of the water.

Calcium and magnesium. Though calcium and magnesium have 

somewhat different properties their effects upon the industrial uses 

of water are so much alike that they can not well be treated separately. They cause hardness in water (see p. 9) and together with 

the acid radicles in equilibrium with them make up from 60 to 90 

per cent of the mineral matter of hard waters. Calcium and magnesium are also the predominating basic radicles in most soft waters.

The general industrial value of waters used for public supplies is 

more affected by calcium and magnesium than by any other constituents. Their main effects are discussed under "Hardness" (p. 9) 

and under "Industrial treatment of water" (p. 25).

The results of determinations of calcium and magnesium in the 

waters of some public supplies are not available, but it is safe to 

assume that the quantities of these constituents in nearly all of 

them are about the same as in water that contains similar total 

dissolved solids or that is of similar hardness. The differences in the 

total dissolved solids of the waters here considered correspond 

closely to the differences in calcium and magnesium and the bicarbonate that holds them in solution.

Sodium and potassium. The sodium and potassium in the water 

of most public supplies have little effect on the industrial use of the 

water. Natural waters that contain only 3 or 4 parts per million of 

the two together are likely to contain about equal quantities of 

sodium and potassium. As the total quantity of these constituents 

increases, the proportion of potassium becomes less: waters carrying 

from 30 to 50 parts per million of the two may contain from 4 to 10 

times as much sodium as potassium; waters carrying more sodium 

may contain smaller proportions of potassium.

In most of the analyses given in this report the sodium and potassium were not separated. The potassium was determined in nearly 

all the analyses that were made especially for the report and in a 

few that were obtained ^rom other laboratories. Generally the mixed 

chlorides of sodium and potassium were weighed together, and the
8 INDUSTRIAL UTILITY OF PUBLIC WATER SUPPLIES.

sodium equivalent to the weight of mixed chloride was reported as 

sodium and potassium. This procedure introduces a slight error, 

due to the difference between the atomic weights of sodium an<J 

potassium, but the error is not much greater than the other possible 

errors in the analysis.

A calculated quantity of sodium and potassium is given in some 

analyses the quantity of sodium that is needed, in addition to the 

calcium and magnesium, to balance the acid radicles bicarbonate, 

sulphate, chloride, and nitrate. The quantity thus obtained is affected 

by< any errors in the determination of the individual constituents. 

The calculation sometimes leads to a negative quantity for sodium, 

especially if no nitrate is given. In a few such analyses the sodium 

and potassium have been reported as "less than 10."

Bicarbonate. The usual methods of analysis lead to the conclusion 

that the carbon dioxide in most natural waters is present as bicarbonate (HCO3) and free carbon dioxide (CO2). A few natural waters 

contain little carbon dioxide and therefore show carbonate radicle 

(CO3), which may be found also in water raised by an air lift that 

tends to sweep the carbon dioxide out of it. Many waters that have 

been treated with lime contain carbonate or even hydroxide. Some 

analyses show the composition of the residue on evaporation and 

therefore give carbonate instead of bicarbonate. In some partial 

analyses alkalinity is reported in terms of calcium carbonate (CaCO3).

For uniformity and simplicity all results of determinations of 

alkalinity, whether expressed in terms of bicarbonate (HCO3), 

carbonate (CO3 ), or as equivalent calcium carbonate (CaCO3), are 

given in this report as bicarbonate (HCO3). If the carbonate in a 

treated water was over 10 parts per million, the quantity is indicated 

in a footnote. The small quantities of carbonate found in some 

samples may be due to the action of the sample on the bottles. 1

Bicarbonate is the chief acid radicle in nearly all the waters used 

for public supplies. Its relation to the hardness and softening of 

waters is discussed on pages 25 and 26.

Sulphate. Sulphate is not a very important constituent of the 

water of most public supplies. The quantity present affects the 

softening of the water (see pp. 25-27) and is affected by treatment 

with coagulants. An analysis of a river water before filtration will 

therefore show a smaller quantity of sulphate than that in the 

filtered water. A paijt of the sulphate in the water oi some sources 

of supply is contributed to it by human activities. Many supplies 

in Pennsylvania receive sulphuric acid from the drainage of mines,

i Collins, W. D., and Riftenburg, H. B., Contamination ot water samples with material dissolved from 

glass containers: Ind. and Eng. Chemistry, vol. 15, pp. 4&-49,1923.
ANALYSES OF WATER. 9

even enough to make the waters acid, and some waters that are 

used for public supplies are contaminated by sulphuric acid or sulphates discharged from industrial establishments.

Chloride. The water of only a few«public supplies contains enough 

chloride to have any effect on its use for most industrial processes. 

The addition of chlorine or hypochlorite has no practical effect on 

the quantity of chloride radicle in a water. The chloride contributed by most rocks to a natural water rarely amounts to as much 

as 10 parts per million. Larger quantities are usually the result of 

contamination with water from deep wells or from deposits of common 

salt. Some industrial plants discharge chlorides, and a considerable 

quantity is added to many rivers by sewage from large cities.1

Nitrate. The effect of nitrate on the industrial use of water 

obtained from public supplies is so nearly negligible that results of 

determinations of nitrate could be omitted from the tables without 

great loss. A few waters contain enough nitrate to affect the calculated quantity of sodium or to increase the apparent error in an 

analysis in which sodium is determined and nitrate is not reported.

HARDNESS.

Hardness in water is produced by calcium and magnesium. Other 

elements) such as iron, aluminum, strontium, or barium, would 

cause hardness, but these are not found in the water of public supplies 

in quantities large enough to have any appreciable effect.

Hardness may be recognized by the increased quantity of soap 

required to produce lather and by the deposits of insoluble salts 

formed when a hard water is heated or evaporated. Hardness may 

be determined by the use of a standard solution of soap. Practically 

all the "determined" results for hardness given in this report were 

so obtained. Although this method is not wholly reliable for some 

kinds of water, it should give accurate results with waters like most 

of those for which analyses are given.

Hardness can in general be determined more reliably by calculation 

than by the use of a soap solution. Most of the "calculated" results 

given in this report were obtained by calculations from the calcium 

and magnesium. The hardness as equivalent calcium carbonate 

(CaCO3) is 2.5 times the calcium plus 4.1 times the magnesium.

Hardness is by far the most important property of a water with 

reference to its general industrial utility. The effects of the different 

forms of hardness are discussed in connection with the subject of 

water softening (p. 25).

DISTRIBUTION OF HARD WATER.

The distribution of hard water in the large public supplies in the 

United States is shown in Tables 3 and-4 and iti Plate I and Figure 1.
10 INDUSTRIAL UTILITY OF PUBLIC WATER SUPPLIES.

TABLE 3. Number of persons, in thousands, using water of different degrees of hardness 

from large public supplies in the United States.

Hardness in parts 

per million.

1-10................

11-20. ..............

21-30...............

31-40...............

41-50...............

51-60...............

61-80...............

81-100..............

101-120.............

121-140.............

141-160.............

161-180.............

m onn

201-250.............

Surface

water.

2,454

4,339

1,214

1,632

6,242

1,073

2,009

2,974

2,773

5,453

606

1,136

1,221

Ground 

water.

31

131

159

68

374

66

260

88

208

28

127

94.9

332

Total.

2,485

4,470

1,373

1,700

6,616

1073

2,075

3,234

2,861

5,661

634

1,263

985

1,553

Hardness in parts 

per million.

251-300.............

301-350.............

351-400.............

401-450.............

451-500.............

501-550.............

551-600.............

601-650.............

651-700.............

701-750.............

751-800.............

801-850.............

Surface 

water.

862

71

92

34,894

Ground 

water.

397

645

314

209

72

40

28

15

29

3,863

Total.

1,259

716

314 209°

164

40

28-

15

29

38,757

Table 3 shows the population in thousands using water of different 

degrees of hardness in steps of 10, 20, and 50 parts per million. The 

population of a large city that is supplied from two sources with 

waters that differ appreciably in hardness has been divided according 

to the quantities of water supplied from the two sources. Figures 

are given separately for surface waters and for ground waters. If 

the supplies of smaller cities were included the proportion of users 

of ground water would be larger. Nearly all private supplies are 

obtained from wells, so that the relative use of surface and. ground 

water by the whole population of the country is in no way represented 

by the data for the larger cities.

TABLE 4. Average hardness of water from large public supplies in each State.

State.

Illinois: 

Supplied from Lake

Not supplied from Lake

Whole State.. ...........

Kansas. ....................'

Surface supplies.

Average hardness 

as 

CaCO3 

in parts 

per 

million.

59

149 

156 

144 

25 

49 

80

14

131

184 

136 

244 

181 

255

Population 

served.

Thousands.

240

94 

1,659 

330 

826 

110 

438

338

2,824

279 

3.103 

659 

139 

151

Percentage 

of total population of 

State.

10

5 

49 

35 

60 

49 

100

12

44

4 

48 

23 

6 

9

Ground supplies.

Average 

hardness 

as 

CaC03 

in parts 

per 

million.

20 

221

243

115

296 

82 

91

350 

350 

330 

357

543

Population 

served.

Thousands.

43 

49

141

4

204 

83 

36

332 

332

214 

273

72

Percentage 

of total population of 

State.

2 

15

4

2

21 

3

8

5

5 

7 

11 

4

All supplies.

AverJ^ hardness 

as 

CaCO3 

in parts 

per 

million.

53

221 

149 

172 

144 

25 

51 

80 

296 

27 

91

131

274 

156 

264 

298 

316

Population 

served. ,

Thousands.

283 

49 

94 

1,800 

330 

826 

114 

438 

204 

421 

36

2,824

611 

3,435 

873 

412 

223

Percentage 

of total population of 

State.

12 

15 

5 

53 

3£ 

6G 

51 

100 

21 

15 

8

44

9 

53 

30 

17 

13
 ANALYSES OF WATEE. 

TABLE 4. Average hardness of water from large public supplies in each State Continued.

State.

Utah........................

United States.........

Surface supplies.

Average hardness 

as 

CaC03 

in parts 

per 

million.

90 

54 

18 

53 

13 

114 

158 

14 

147 

91 

244 

36 

6 

46 

20 

46 

22 

141 

125 

400 

9 

67 

12 

31

64

100 

172 

39 

45 

22 

76 

132 

119

85

Population 

served.

Thousands.

387 

431 

127 

792 

2,440 

1,497 

714 

46 

1,205 

66 

192 

12 

78 

1,747 

7 

7,448 

157 

36 

2,341 

194 

258 

3,483 

475 

105

254 

385 

118 

38 

489 

466 

174 

620 

25

34,894

Percentage 

of total population of 

State.

16 

24 

17 

55 

63 

41 

30 

3 

36 

12 

15 

16 

18 

55 

2 

72 

6 

6 

41 

10 

33 

40 

79 

6

11

8 

26 

11 

21 

34 

12 

24 

13

33

Ground supplies.

Average hardness 

as 

CaCOs 

in parts 

per 

million.

29 

267

195

221 

185 

20 

65 

177 

120

Population 

served.

Thousands.

228 

225

40

55 

4 

29 

236 

15 

128

341 426

19 

188

503 

46 

166 

109

18 

73

40 

162 

456 

33

125 104

205 140

225 4863

Percentage 

of total 

population of 

State.

6 

6

1

4 

5 

6

8 

4

1

7

2 

1

6

7 

10 

8

8

5

4

All supplies.

Average tard- 

/ness 

as 

CaC08 

in parts 

per 

million.

90 

54 

18 

53 

14 

134 

158 

14 

148 

91 

239 

74 

9.7 

48 

126 

47 

22 

141 

153 

400 

9.6 

69 

12 

31 

503 

57 

136 

158 

39 

45 

41 

76 

145 

119

99

Population 

served.

Thousands.

387 

431 

127 

792 

2,668 

1,722 

714 

46 

1,245 

66 

247 

16 

107 

1,983 

22 

7,576 

157 

36 

2,767 

194 

276 

3,556 

475 

105 

40 

416 

841 

151 

38 

489 

570 

174 

760 

25

38,757

Percentage 

of total population of 

State.

16 

24 

17 

55 

69 

47 

30 

3 

37 

12 

19 

21 

24 

63 

6 

73 

6 

6 

48 

10 

35 

41 

79 

6 

6 

18 

18 

34 

11 

21 

42 

12 

29 

13

37

Table 4 shows the average hardness of the water of the large supplies in each State the surface, ground, and total supplies. To 

calculate an average for a State the hardness of each supply in the 

State is multiplied by the number of persons using it, and the sum of 

these products is divided by the sum of the numbers of persons.

The percentages of the total population of the States that use the 

supplies for which data are given range from 3 for Mississippi to 79 for 

Rhode Island. These percentages must be considered in attempting 

to estimate from the data in Table 4 the average hardness of the 

water used by the whole population of a State. In general, however, 

the results for the individual States are fairly representative.

The figures in Table 4 are shown graphically in Plate I. Each 

city considered in the report is represented on the map by a dot. The 

number shown in each State is the total population, in thousands, 

of the cities in the State, for which data were obtained. The shading 

indicates the average hardness of the water used by the population
12 ^INDUSTRIAL UTILITY OF PUBLIC WATBE SUPPLIES.

shown on the map the population of the cities considered. The 

States are divided into four groups, representing four degrees of 

hardness.

The public water supplies of the large cities in the States in the 

first group those that are unshaded on the map (hardness 0-55) 

are generally considered soft. In ordinary household use the hardness of the waters of this group is rarely noticed. The removal of the 

hardness from the harder waters in the group is profitable only in 

laundries, in boiler plants operating at high capacity, and in a few 

other industrial plants.

The States in the second group, shown by the lightest shading 

on the map, include those for which the average hardness of the 

water of the municipal supplies is from 56 to 100 parts per million. 

Those who have really soft water will notice the slight hardness of 

these waters, but in ordinary use it causes no great difficulty. In 

softening the water of municipal supplies it is generally considered 

sufficient to reduce the hardness to 100 parts per million. The 

softening of the waters in this' group is profitable for nearly all 

laundries, and softening or treatment within boilers is necessary 

to obtain the best results in steam plants. The waters in this group 

may be called "slightly hard."

The waters of the States of the third group, shown by the medium 

shading, include those for which the average hardness is from 101 to 

200 parts per million. The hardness of these waters is noticed by 

anyone, and its reduction is frequently worth while to make them 

suitable for domestic use as well as for use in industrial plants. Softening is profitable or necessary for any industrial use in which 

hardness is detrimental. Some of the States in this group contain 

large cities that obtain supplies from lakes or streams bordering the 

States and therefore have softer water than that furnished by supplies 

obtained from streams or wells within the State. If they did not, 

they would be placed in the group of States whose waters have a 

hardness above 200 parts per million. Municipal softening in some 

large cities helps to bring some States into the third group. The 

waters in this group would be called "moderately hard" to "hard."

The States in the fourth group, shown by the darkest shading, 

include those in which the average hardness of the water of the large 

public supplies is from 200 to 500 parts per million. Such waters are 

truly hard, and some of them are excessively hard. Their hardness 

can not be ignored in any use of the water that is affected by hardness. 

In areas where domestic supplies have hardness of more than 200 

parts per million many who live outside of the large cities have built 

cisterns to store rain water for laundry use. Municipal softening 

is worth considering wherever the hardness, is much over this limit.
8. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 496

Location of cities considered

Total population in thousands 

of cities considered in each State

AVERAGE HARDNESS, BY STATES, OF WATER FURNISHED BY PUBLIC SUPPLY SYSTEMS IN OVER 300 CITIES IN THE UNITED STATES AND POPULATION, BY STATES, OF THE CITIES CONSIDERED.

ANALYSES OF WATER. 13

In some pities in the States of this group the water of the municipal 

supplies is not excessively hard; in some areas individual supplies 

of soft water can be obtained; 

but in general throughout these 

States the water is hard.

Of course geologic divisions 

do not lie along State lines, so 

that Plate I gives only a rough 

indication of the character of 

the private water supplies in 

the United States. Furthermore, the averages calculated 

as explained on page 11 do not 

invariably give a fair picture 

of the conditions throughout a 

State. This fact is so conspicuously evident in Illinois that a 

small area close to Lake Michigan has been cut off from the 

rest of the State and treated as 

a separate division. Table 4 

shows that the inclusion of the 

cities supplied by Lake Michigan makes the average hardness for Illinois 156 parts per 

million, whereas the hardness 

for 611,000 inhabitants of 12 

cities in the State that do not 

use the water of Lake Michigan 

is 274 parts per million.

From the locations of the 

cities plotted on Plate I and 

the numbers showing the population in each State using the 

waters for which data are given 

it can be seen that most of the 

large municipal supply systems 

furnish soft or slightly hard 

waters. This fact is not obvious from a glance at the map, 

because the population is more 

concentrated in some small States where the supplies are soft.

Figure 1 shows the number of persons using water of hardness 

within each set of the limits indicated on Plate I. It is made from 

22937 23 WSF 496 2

1-55 56-IOO IOI-20O 201-850 

HARDNESS IN PARTS PER MILLION

FIGURE 1. Number of persons using water of certain 

degrees of hardness from large public supply systems 

in over 300 cities in the United States. Heavy 

shading indicates ground water; light shading, surface water.

Range of hardness Population (thousands).

(parts per million).

1-55...................

101-200................

200+. .................

Surface.

16,643

5,294

10,711

2,246

34,894

Ground.

764

326

692

2,081

3,863

Total.

17,407

5,620

11,403

4,327

38,757
14 INDUSTRIAL UTILITY OF PUBLIC WATER SUPPLIES.

the data presented in Table 3, but it gives a division at a hardness of 

55 parts per million instead of at 60; the other divisions are made at 

hardnesses of 100 and 200 parts per million.

Figure 1 and Table 3 would seem to indicate that a large number 

of those who use the water of public supplies are not troubled by its 

hardness, but the figures in Table 4, giving the percentage of the 

population served by the supplies on which the statistics given in 

this report are based, show that a larger part of the population is 

represented for States where the average hardness as here computed 

is low than for States where it is high. The total number of persons 

in the United States that use hard water is therefore greater than 

that indicated by Figure 1 and Table 3.

SOURCES OF PUBLIC SUPPLIES.

SOLUTION OF BOCK MATERIALS.

Water is constantly passing through a cycle of evaporation and 

precipitation. Water that is precipitated as dew is nearly all soon 

evaporated again. A certain amount of the water that falls as rain 

or snow evaporates almost at once, but most of it runs quickly into 

streams or lakes or soaks into the ground. In passing over or 

through the soil the water dissolves the rock materials. Obviously 

water that runs quickly over the surface into a stream or lake will 

dissolve less material than water that seeps slowly through the 

ground. Thus the surface water in a given area usually contains 

less dissolved mineral matter than the ground water. The quantity 

of mineral matter dissolved depends also on the character of the 

rock materials in the soil. Granite is comparatively insoluble, and 

the water in areas where granitic rocks predominate therefore contains little dissolved mineral matter. Part of .the rock material can 

be dissolved in distilled water, but the quantities of most rocks that 

could be dissolved by the action of water alone would be comparatively 

small.

In its passage through the air rain water takes up a certain amount 

of carbon dioxide gas, and in its passage through the ground it takes 

up much more. The gas it thus absorbs, which is formed in the 

decomposition of organic matter, enables the water to dissolve much 

larger quantities of the carbonates of calcium and magnesium that 

make up the greater part of the sedimentary rocks in large areas in 

the valleys of Mississippi and Ohio rivers.

Soluble salts were deposited with some of the sedimentary rocks, 

particularly sandstones, and water passing through such rocks will 

dissolve rather large quantities of these salts.

SOFT, HARD, AND ALKALI WATERS.

The waters used for public supplies in the United States may be 

divided roughly into three classes soft waters, hard waters, and 

alkali waters which merge into one another.
SOURCES OF PUBLIC SUPPLIES. 15

The soft waters come from igneous rocks and are nearly all surface 

waters. They contain so little dissolved mineral matter that for 

practically all uses they are equal to rain water or distilled water. 

The small quantities of dissolved mineral matter they contain are 

about equally divided between silica, alkaline earth salts, and alkali 

salts, with the quantity of silica frequently the largest. The predominating acid is bicarbonate, and there are nearly equal quantities 

of sulphate and chloride.

The hard waters have dissolved most of their mineral matter from 

limestone. Typical waters of this class contain from 200 to 400 parts 

per million of dissolved solids, of which practically all is calcium or 

magnesium and bicarbonate. The quantity of silica and of the alkalies may be no greater than in the soft waters. The quantity of 

chloride is not large, and that of sulphate is rather small unless the 

water contains dissolved gypsum or drainage from mines.

Comparatively few waters of the alkali type are used for public 

supplies. These waters contain large quantities of alkali salts, generally sodium sulphate or chloride. The quantity of silica may be 

insignificant. Some alkali waters contain large quantities of calcium 

and magnesium; others contain practically none. In some parts of 

the United States, as along the south Atlantic and east Gulf coasts, 

well waters contain little dissolved mineral matter except sodium 

bicarbonate. The quantities are not usually so large as the quantities of sodium sulphate and chloride in the alkali waters of the arid 

and semiarid regions. The waters in a few places contain considerable quantities of sodium bicarbonate, together with calcium and 

magnesium bicarbonates.

It is obvious that soft waters make the best supplies and that 

strong alkali wa'ters make the worst. For drinking and for some 

other uses hardness is no disadvantage, but for general industrial 

use the value of a water depends largely on its hardness.

NATURAL SURFACE WATER.

The first large public water supplies were nearly all obtained from 

surface sources, and at the present time 50 per cent of the population 

of the larger cities use unfiltered surface waters. The number of 

consumers using each of several types of supply is shown in Table 5.
16 INDUSTRIAL UTILITY OF PUBLIC WATER SUPPLIES.

TABLE 5. Source and treatment of the public water supplies of the larger cities in the

United States.

Source and treatment.

Total surface supplies........... ..............................................

T ot al ground supplies .........................................................

Cities.

107

5

9

113

234

28

45

.73

307

Population (thousands).

19,705

414

3,620

11,155

34,894

1,466

2,397

3,863

38,757

Some of the waters of the untreated surface supplies are almost 

ideal for industrial use. They are impounded in lakes or reservoirs 

that receive waters which have passed over comparatively insoluble 

rocks and which therefore contain very little dissolved mineral matter. Some of these waters are quite free from color and turbidity.

Not all the untreated surface waters are wholly satisfactory for 

industrial use. Some have too much color, which is extracted from 

decaying leaves and other organic matter. Others are so free from 

mineral matter and contain so much free carbon dioxide and possibly organic acids that they corrode iron pipes. The solution of 

lead pipes by some very soft waters, though it does not affect industrial use, has required the attention of waterworks officials.

The greater number of the waters supplied from lakes and reservoirs 

are not so free from color and turbidity as the waters supplied from 

well-operated filter plants, and as the standards for. the appearance 

of the water supplied are gradually raised the tendency is toward 

the more general adoption of filtration for better appearance as well 

as for greater safety. Very few large supplies from rivers are 

unfiltered.

TREATED SURFACE WATER.

In 1922 about 39 per cent of the inhabitants of large cities in the 

United States used treated water, and the percentage will increase 

even if supplies for a few more cities are taken from distant mountain streams that require no purification. Filtration is contemplated 

for several large supplies, and the population of the cities that now 

use filtered surface water is increasing rapidly.

GROUND WATER.

Ground water probably furnishes the domestic supply for more 

than half the population of the United States. Well water is used 

by most of the 48.6 per cent of the population that live in rural
SOURCES OF PUBLIC SUPPLIES. 17

districts and by a large proportion of the 15.6 per cent that live in 

cities of 2,500 to 25,000 inhabitants.

Only 10 per cent of the total population of cities having a population 

of more than 25,000 are supplied with ground water 4 per cent from 

infiltration galleries or wells less than 100 feet deep, and 6 per cent 

from wells 100 to 2,000 feet deep.

The largest city supplied from wells is Memphis, Term., which has 

a population of 162,351. Only seven other cities that have a population of more than 100,000 have ground-water supplies.

The limited quantity of ground water available at most places 

prevents the more general use of wells for public supplies. Heavy 

pumping increases the depth from which the water must be raised. 

This lowering of the water in wells adds to the cost of pumping and 

increases the chance of pollution. Along the seacoast heavy pumping 

has in some places caused contamination with sea water. Examples 

of such contamination are given in a report on the ground water 

of Long Island. 2 A report by Brown 3 gives a review of the 

literature on the subject and adds new data, particularly for wells in 

Connecticut.

Water obtained from deep wells is generally free from pollution 

and is in that respect superior to the water of most surface supplies. 

Reports of State boards of health and other organizations that have 

investigated private shallow wells with reference to their sanitary 

condition state that the greater number of them show evidence of 

pollution. Public supplies from shallow wells or infiltration galleries 

are usually properly protected.

Ground waters are generally clearer and cooler than surface waters 

and are therefore decidedly preferable for some industrial uses. 

Ground water generally contains more iron than surface water, sometimes so much as to make it necessary to install a plant for the 

removal of iron.

The average hardness of the ground water used for the supplies of 

large cities is given in Table 4 as 225 parts per million, against an 

average hardness of 85 parts per million for the surface water. The 

comparison thus made, however, is not wholly accurate. The ground 

waters in regions where large supplies of soft surface water are found are 

soft, and the surface waters in regions where supplies of hard ground 

water are found are hard. It is nevertheless true that in nearly every 

region where all the water is hard the ground water is much harder 

than the surface water.

The waters of many of the public supplies for which analyses are 

given in Table 6 are obtained from streams whose waters contain

* Veatch, A. C., Slichter, C. S., Bowman, Isaiah, Crosby, W. O., and Horton, R. B., Underground water 

resources of Long Island, N. Y.: U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 44,1906.

«Brown, J. S., A study of coastal ground waters, with special reference to Connecticut: U. S. Geol. 

Survey Water-Supply Paper (in preparation).
18 INDUSTRIAL UTILITY OF PUBLIC WATER SUPPLIES.

much less dissolved mineral matter than the best well waters in or 

near tfre cities. The water of some of these public supplies is so 

much better than the ground water that no industrial plant can afford 

to use a private supply from wells for any use for which hard water is 

unsuitable.

TREATMENT OF WATER FOR PUBLIC SUPPLIES.

SANITARY CONSIDERATIONS.

Although sanitary considerations may seem to have no direct bearing 

on the industrial utility of public water supplies, they usually govern 

the selection of the source of a supply and the treatment of the water. 

In a discussion of public water supplies, therefore, it is not possible 

to omit all consideration of sanitary questions, but their discussion 

in this paper is confined to points that affect the industrial use of the 

waters.

It is generally agreed that the water of a public supply should at 

all times be safe to drink. Practically the only thing that makes 

the water of any public supply unsafe is pollution with organisms 

that may cause disease, mainly intestinal diseases and especially 

typhoid fever. Well waters may be kept free from possible pollution, but water flowing in underground channels is" subject to pollution and surface water is obviously open to pollution by men and 

animals.

The range of probability of pollution of the water of surface supplies is great. Some reservoirs impound mountain streams and 

springs that are almost inaccessible and that are thus safe from contamination. Practically the whole drainage area of some supplies is 

owned by the company or municipality that operates the waterworks. Other drainage areas are carefully patrolled and are protected 

by strict regulations to prevent accidental contamination of the water. 

From these extremes the probability of pollution increases by stages 

until sources of supply are encountered that are so polluted that it 

becomes a question whether the pollution is not approaching a limit 

beyond which no reasonable method of purification can be relied 

upon to produce a safe water.4

Over against these possibilities of pollution must be set a certain 

amount of natural purification. The number of bacteria is reduced 

by the long storage permissible for some supplies, and this storage 

also may improve the water for industrial use by reducing its color 

and turbidity.

* Streeter, H. W., The loading of filter plants: Am. Waterworks Assoc. Jour., vol. 9, pp. 157-171,1922.
TREATMENT OF WATER. 19 

CHLORINATION.

The treatment of water with sterilizing agents 5 is of comparatively recent development. The use of chloride of lime by Johnson 

at the filter plant of the Chicago stockyards in the fall of 1908 and 

the equally successful treatment of the Boonton supply of Jersey 

City, N. J., in 1909 led to the adoption of this treatment at a large 

number of other plants. Although chloride of lime is still used at 

some plants and chloramine and ultra-violet rays have been used to 

a certain extent, the total use of other sterilizing agents is almost 

negligible compared with the use of liquid chlorine.

The uncombined chlorine in a chlorinated water probably has no 

harmful effect in the industrial use of the water. If, however, the 

water to which the chlorine is added is contaminated with phenolic 

compounds from the waste liquors of coke ovens or gas works, compounds may be formed that have decidedly objectionable taste or 

odor, although the water before chlorination may have had no no- 

. ticeable taste or odor. Contamination of this kind may make a 

water unfit for the preparation of food products.

The use of chlorine is so common that no mention is made of it in 

the descriptions of water supplies given in Table 6. A small quantity 

of chlorine is added to the water at nearly every filtration plant and 

to all but a very few of the supplies that are not filtered.

SEDIMENTATION.

As already noted, sedimentation improves the quality of waters for 

industrial use. Waters that are suitable for use with no other treatment than sedimentation generally would not be very bad without 

it. For most waters sedimentation is merely preliminary to filtration and serves to decrease the work required of t&e filters.

COAGULATION AND SEDIMENTATION.

A few turbid waters carry suspended material that is coarse enough 

to settle to the bottom as sediment in a short time, leaving the waters 

fairly clear. Other waters, and these include a large proportion of 

the river waters used as sources of public supplies, carry considerable 

quantities of suspended material so fine that it will not settle in 

weeks. Such waters may be treated with chemicals to coagulate the 

finely divided material. At a few plants the water is distributed 

after coagulation and sedimentation, but at most of them these steps 

are merely preliminary to filtration.

The chemical generally used for coagulation is aluminum sulphate, 

which in most natural waters forms a flocculent gelatinous precipitate that carries down a considerable proportion of the bacteria in

 Race, Joseph, Chlorination of water, John Wiley & Sons, 1918.
20 INDUSTRIAL UTILITY OF PUBLIC WATER SUPPLIES.

the water together with much of the finely divided clay and other 

suspended material.

The quantity of aluminum sulphate used to treat turbid waters 

was at first determined largely by the degree of their turbidity, and 

frequently excessive quantities were used. The quantity now generally used is 1 to 2 grains per gallon, or 17 to 34 parts per million. 

The addition of 20 parts per million of aluminum sulphate of the grade 

commonly used will decrease the bicarbonate of the water by 12 parts 

per million and increase the sulphate by 8 parts. Such a change is 

of little importance in waters that contain several hundred parts per 

million of dissolved solids but is not negligible in waters that contain 

less than 100 parts per million.

If the alkalinity of a water is low, only a limited quantity of aluminum can be precipitated as hydroxide. More aluminum added as 

sulphate will not be precipitated, although it may assist the coagulation of the suspended clay in the water. In order to prevent the 

occurrence of residual aluminum in the filtered water the additions 

of aluminum sulphate at many filtration plants were regulated according to the alkalinity of the water as determined by titration with 

acid. When the alkalinity was not high enough to cause precipitation of all the aluminum that was needed for clarification lime was 

also added.

It has long been known that good coagulation is not assured by 

adjustment of the addition of aluminum sulphate and lime according 

to titrations of total alkalinity, although the results are better than 

those obtained by the addition of aluminum sulphate according to 

turbidity. It is now rather generally recognized that flocculation 

depends in large measure on the intensity of the acidity of the 

water, which is generally expressed as the hydrogen-ion concentration. During the last few years 6 the relations of hydrogen-ion 

concentration to coagulation and sedimentation have received 

considerable attention, and they are now being investigated at a 

number of plants. It appears that the best results from the use 

of aluminum sulphate will be obtained by regulating the quantities 

of aluminum sulphate and lime according to the alkalinity and 

turbidity of the water so as to keep the resulting hydrogen-ion 

concentration within fairly narrow limits. These limits may vary 

with the quantity of mineral matter dissolved in the water and 

the turbidity and temperature of the water.

« Wolman, Abel, and Hannan, Frank, Residual aluminum compounds in filter effluents: Chem. and Met. 

Eng., vol. 24, No. 17, pp. 728-735,1921. Wolman, Abel, and Hannan, Frank, Further observations on pH 

in natural waters: Chem. and Met. Eng., vol. 25, No. 11, pp. 502-506,1921. Massink, A., and Heymann, J. A., 

Significance of hydrogen-ion concentration in drinking water and particularly for tne business of water 

supply: Am. Waterworks Assoc. Jour., vol. 8, No. 3, pp. 239-269, 1921. Hannan, Frank, Hydrogen-ion 

concentration and water-supply problems: Am. Waterworks Assoc. Jour., vol. 9, No. 1, pp. 39-44,1922. 

Wagner, A., and Enslow, L. H., Applied hydrogen-ion concentration a study of its merits in practical 

filtar-plant operation: Am. Waterworks Assoc. Jour., vol. 9, No. 3, pp. 375-391, 1922.
TREATMENT OF WATER. 21

Treatment with aluminum sulphate does not affect the total 

hardness of a water unless a large excess is added. It does change a 

certain amount of the carbonate hardness to noncarbonate hardness, but this is not often of any consequence. If lime is added 

with the aluminum sulphate the hardness may be decreased or 

increased according to the quantity of lime used.

The most serious effect of aluminum sulphate on the industrial 

value of a watef is a change in the alkalinity or the acidity *of the 

water. The reaction between aluminum sulphate and the carbonate or bicarbonate of a natural water sets free a quantity of 

carbon dioxide corresponding to the quantity of aluminum hydroxide 

precipitated. This action may make the intensity of acidity or 

hydrogen-ion concentration great enough to cause serious trouble 

from corrosion of iron pipes. Excessive carbon dioxide has caused 

what is known as "red water" in a number of public supplies. The 

red appearance is due to iron dissolved from the pipes and then 

precipitated. It is unsightly and it interferes with the use of the 

water in some industries, and the corrosion may be so great as to 

damage the pipes. The steps taken to overcome these difficulties 

are outlined on pages 23 and 25.

FILTRATION WITHOUT COAGULATION (SLOW SAND FILTERS).

The consideration of the treatment of water supplies in this report 

is limited as far as possible to features that affect the industrial 

utility of the water, so that little will be said about filtration without 

the use of chemicals. A few of the best plants use slow sand filters, 

which are regularly operated without the use of any chemicals 

except for the final chlorination, although a little coagulant may 

occasionally be added to the water at some. The period of sedimentation before filtration at these plants is usually longer than at 

those where a coagulant is used regularly. Water treated by 

slow sand filters is clear and may contain slightly less iron than 

before filtration, but it is not otherwise improved for industrial use. 

On the other hand, it has not the undesirable properties that are 

sometimes produced by the use of chemicals in connection with 

filtration.

FILTRATION AFTER COAGULATION.

The tendency in waterworks practice in the United States is 

toward the general use of coagulation, filtration, and chlorination. 

In the descriptions of waterworks systems in Table 6 the term 

"filtered" is used to indicate this type of treatment. Methods of 

water purification are described in detail in a number of recent 

publications.7

' Ellms, J. W., Water purification, McGraw-Hill Book Co., 1917. Mason, W. P. Water supply, John 

Wiley & Sons, 1916. Stein, M. F., Water purification plants and their operation, John Wiley & Sons 

1920.
22 INDUSTRIAL UTILITY OF PUBLIC WATER SUPPLIES.

The so-called "mechanical filter" or "rapid sand filter," when 

skillfully operated, furnishes water that is as safe as that furnished 

by a slow sand filter and that is as pleasing in appearance. By the 

use of chemicals with a rapid sand filter it is possible not only to 

clarify water but at the same time to improve its quality for industrial use. The rapid filter accomplishes these results with waters 

that without the use of chemicals could not be made fit to use.

The complete treatment of a water involves chemical reactions on 

a very large scale and with exceedingly low concentrations of the 

reacting substances. Successful operation of the process requires 

practically constant attention and regulation. A small plant may 

require just as expert attention as a large one, although the income 

will not justify the employment of an operator who has had wide 

experience. By employing an expert to visit them at stated intervals 

and supervise their operation, including the chemical and bacteriological tests, many small plants obtain better advice and supervision 

than they could afford singly. Several plants are controlled by 

holding or operating companies that have acquired a large fund of 

experience on which to draw for the solution of problems that may 

arise at even the smallest plants they control. Some State boards 

of health furnish valuable assistance in the operation of filtration 

plants. Practically all this advice and supervision is given primarily 

to insure the sanitary purity of the water, though it can not entirely 

neglect questions that affect the industrial use of the waters. In 

general everything that tends to improve the sanitary condition of 

the water and to prevent complaints from domestic users is advantageous to industrial users.

Iron sulphate is sometimes used instead of aluminum sulphate as a 

coagulant, but it requires the addition of lime and thereby introduces 

another complication. If lime is added to most natural waters it 

reacts with the carbon dioxide in the water, and some of the calcium 

present as bicarbonate is precipitated as carbonate and the added 

lime is also precipitated. This reaction is not instantaneous: it 

extends over several hours. The reaction between the iron sulphate 

and lime is also somewhat slow and proceeds best if a moderate excess 

of lime is used. This excess of lime over the amount required by the 

iron sulphate reacts slowly with the calcium bicarbonate in the water 

to form a fine precipitate of calcium carbonate. This precipitate 

forms on the grains of sand in the filters and if not removed will in 

time clog the filters. It is not practicable to allow sufficient time for the 

complete separation of this calcium carbonate before filtration. At 

some plants the water goes through the filters before the reaction is 

completed, and the calcium carbonate is later deposited in the mains.

At Cleveland, Ohio,8 two difficulties arising from chemical treatment 

of the water have been made to neutralize each other. Iron sulphate

8 Ellros, J. W., Operation and tuning up of the Cleveland filters: Eng. News Record, vol. 88, pp. 776-779, 

1922.
TREATMENT OF WATER. 23

lime are used until the sand grains have become incrusted with 

a layer of precipitated calcium carbonate. Then aluminum sulphate 

is used without lime. Its addition sets free an excessive amount of 

carbon dioxide, which, if left in the water, would cause corrosion of 

pipes. In the filters, however, it causes solution of the precipitated 

calcium carbonate. Thus the treatment cleans the filter bed and at 

the same time makes the water noncorrosive.

At Baltimore, Md.,9 it has been found that the best coagulation is 

obtained when the hydrogen-ion concentration is so high that the 

filtered water would cause marked corrosion if delivered directly to 

the mains. Corrosion is prevented, however, by the addition of lime 

water to the filtered water.

It is desirable to have a moderate quantity of free carbon dioxide in 

water for domestic use, for if the quantity is very small the taste of 

the water is not pleasant. For this reason, as well as to prevent 

delayed precipitation of calcium carbonate, it is sometimes necessary 

to add carbon dioxide to filtered water.

MUNICIPAL SOFTENING.

The methods of treatment already described are used primarily 

to improve the sanitary condition of water and secondarily to improve 

its appearance. Any improvement for industrial use is incidental, 

though the removal of color and suspended matter is decidedly 

advantageous for industrial as well as for domestic use.

Softening is entirely for industrial improvement, in the sense of the 

word industrial as it is used in this report, where industrial use includes 

home laundry work and the other domestic uses that are affected by 

the dissolved mineral matter.

As noted above, water may be somewhat softened by the use of 

lime with iron sulphate for coagulation. This treatment, with an 

adjusted excess of lime, may be used at times when the raw water 

is hardest, and treatment with aluminum sulphate alone may be 

used when the raw water is not so hard. At some plants about all 

the softening that is profitable can be obtained by the use of liine. 

At best, lime removes only the carbonate hardness down to a point 

corresponding to the solubility of calcium and magnesium carbonates 

in the presence of the other constituents of the water. This part 

of the hardness is the least troublesome in steam boilers. To reduce 

the more troublesome noncarbonate hardness, sodium carbonate 

(soda ash) is sometimes added.

By properly proportioning the chemicals used it is possible tp 

obtain good coagulation and also to reduce the hardness to a law 

point. If the raw water changes rapidly in composition, constant

s Baylis, J. R., The solution of corrosion and coagulation problems at Montebello Filters, Baltimore: 

Am. Waterworks Assoc. Jour., vol. 9, pp. 408-417,1922.
24 INDUSTRIAL UTILITY OF PUBLIC WATER SUPPLIES.

watchfulness is required, with frequent analyses, to control the 

addition of the chemicals.

Water softened in a municipal purification plant may have a 

residual hardness of about 100 parts per million, which is not generally 

objectionable for domestic use. The expense of further softening 

of a public supply is hardly justified in view of the large proportion 

of the water that is used for watering streets and lawns, for flushing 

sewers, and for other uses that are not affected by the hardness 

of the water used. Water from a softened public siipply usually 

must be softened still more for use in large steam boiler plants or in 

laundries.

Difficulties arising from the slow precipitation of calcium carbonate 

are common in municipal filtration plants where the water is softened. 

It is also necessary at all times to watch for caustic alkalinity.

QUANTITIES OF CHEMICALS USED IN TREATMENT OF THE WATER 

OF PUBLIC SUPPLIES.

The quantities of chemicals used in the treatment of water for 

public supplies are really comparatively very small. Natural waters 

are very dilute solutions of the rock constituents. They are so dilute 

that the quantities of the substances hi solution are generally expressed in parts per million. Sea water, which is a moderately strong 

solution, contains about 35,000 parts per million of dissolved salts. 

Some natural brines from deep wells contain more than 200,000 

parts per million. In comparison with these figures the 100 or 

200 parts per million of dissolved solids in ordinary public water 

supplies seem almost negligible. Few people can detect the taste 

of salt in water that contains less than 600 or 800 parts per million.

Aluminum sulphate is added to water at filtration plants in quantities of 20 to 40 parts per million, and the aluminum is usually precipitated so completely that it is difficult to detect a trace of it in the 

filtered water. Iron sulphate, lime, and soda ash are used in quantities well below 100 parts per million, generally considerably below 

50 parts. At nearly every filtration plant the total dissolved mineral 

matter in the filtered water is less than that in the raw water or is 

not greater by more than 10 or 15 parts per million. The regular 

dosage of chlorine is well below 1 >part per million, and most of this 

is used up by oxidizable material in the water. The small amount of 

free chlorine regularly left in the water could not be tasted. The 

taste noted in chlorinated water is generally due to compounds that 

can be tasted when present to the extent of 1 part in 500,000,000 

parts of water.

It thus appears that the quantities of chemicals used in the treatment of public water supplies are insignificant as compared with the 

quantities of water treated and are much less than the quantities 

of mineral matter already dissolved in the water.
INDUSTRIAL TREATMENT OF WATBE. 25 

REMOVAL OF IRON AND MANGANESE.

The foregoing consideration of the treatment of the water of 

public supplies relates to surface waters. Few ground waters require 

purification on account of contamination with bacteria or treatment 

for the removal of suspended clay or organic matter. Many well 

waters that are clear when drawn from the ground become turbid 

after standing a short time on account of the precipitation of iron. 

Manganese is similarly precipitated from a few waters.

Iron or manganese is usually removed by aeration and filtration.10 

This treatment rarely has any effect on the industrial use of the 

water aside from the improvement due to the removal of the iron.

INDUSTRIAL TREATMENT OF WATER FROM PUBLIC

SUPPLIES.

CLARIFICATION.

Water for some industrial uses must be clearer and less colored than 

that furnished by some unfiltered public supplies which are entirely 

satisfactory to domestic consumers. Simple filtration through 

charcoal and sand usually removes the last traces of turbidity. 

Removal of color generally requires the use of aluminum sulphate

and filtration.

PREVENTION OF CORROSION.

The untreated surface water of certain public supplies is corrosive 

on account of its high content of carbon dioxide or possibly of organic 

compounds that attack metals. The water of a few supplies is conr 

taminated by drainage water from mines, which contains free sulphuric acid. Some well waters contain a little free acid. Other 

waters are not corrosive when cold but contain compounds that 'decompose on heating, especially under pressure, and liberate a free 

acid that is corrosive.

Corrosion by free mineral acids must be prevented by neutralizing 

the acid, usually with soda ash. Corrosion due to other causes has 

been prevented u by permitting the water to attack sheets of iron in 

a suitable container until the oxygen necessary for corrosion is exhausted. »

SOFTENING WITH LIME AND SODA.

The lime-so'da process for softening water has been used so long 

that it need not be described in detail. Theoretically lime equivalent 

to the free carbon dioxide, the carbonate hardness, and the magnesium is added to the water, and soda ash or sodium carbonate is 

added equivalent to the noncarbonate hardness. In practice the 

addition of chemicals is often determined by tests of the softened 

water. If the softening is conducted at a high temperature there is a

» Weston, E. 8., The physical chemistry of deferrizatiou: Am. Waterworks Assoc. Jour., vol. 9, pp. 491- 

495,1922.

11 West, Percy, Prevention of corrosioa of metals l?y water in a closed system: Jour. Ind. Eng. Chemistry, 

vol. 14, pp. 601-607, 1922.
26 INDUSTRIAL, UTILITY OF PUBLIC WATER SUPPLIES.

saving of chemicals and the softening is more nearly complete than 

when it is conducted at ordinary temperatures.

The lime-soda process works best with water of constant composition. Changes in the mineral content of the water make it necessary 

to alter the rate of addition of the chemicals and sometimes their 

relative proportions. Well waters and surface waters obtained from 

large lakes or other sources of constant composition are more easily 

treated than waters from smaller rivers, which at times may have 

from 50 to 150 per cent of their average content of dissolved mineral 

matter. Municipal softening is a help to the operation of a limesoda softener in that it tends to keep the hardness of the water more 

uniform.

Lime-soda softening properly conducted always decreases the 

total quantity of dissolved material in the water. The carbonate 

hardness is nearly all removed, and the dissolved solids are correspondingly decreased. The calcium and magnesium of the noncarbonate hardness are replaced by sodium, making little difference 

in the quantity of dissolved solids. Some waters have so much noncarbonate hardness that after treatment they are likely to cause 

foaming in steam boilers.

SOFTENING WITH EXCHANGE SILICATES.

A newer process for softening water depends on the property of 

some silicates of exchanging sodium for calcium or magnesium.. 

When used in treating ordinary hard water these insoluble silicates 

take from it practically all its calcium and magnesium and give in 

exchange sodium. Water thus treated is for all practical purposes, 

free' from hardness, although analyses may show that it contains 

very small quantities of calcium and magnesium.

When the silicate in a softener begins to lose its exchange capacity 

it is regenerated by passing a strong solution of common salt through 

the layer of silicate, which now takes sodium from the solution in 

exchange for the calcium and magnesium it had removed from the 

hard water. The salt solution must be completely washed out before water is again taken from the softener for use in steam boilers.

Whatever may be the composition of a water it can not be overtreated in an exchange-silicate softener, and unless the capacity 

of the apparatus is overtaxed the water will not be undertreated. 

The size of softener required for a given capacity depends, however, 

on the hardness of the water. The exchange-silicate softener makespractically no change in the total quantity of dissolved solids in a 

water. This is a disadvantage that is sometimes overcome by firsttreating the water with lime to remove most of the carbonate hardness and passing it through the bed of silicate after the precipitated, 

calcium carbonate is filtered out.
SUMMAKY. 27 

TREATMENT WITH HEAT AND WITHIN THE BOILER.

Systems are in use for removing scale-forming substances by 

heating feed water to boiler temperature before it enters the boiler. 

These systems serve for boiler feed water but have not the universal 

applicability of the lime-soda or exchange-silicate systems, which 

are used to furnish soft water for all purposes.

The treatment of water within boilers is often the best method 

of preventing scale and is the only method of preventing foaming. 

At small plants waters of moderate hardness can generally be treated 

more satisfactorily in the boiler than in outside softening apparatus.

SUMMARY.

The public water supplies of 307 cities in the United States the 

supplies described in this report furnish water for nearly 39,000,000 

persons, about 37 per cent of the population of the country. These 

307 cities include 287 that have a population of more than 25,000 

each and 20 others so selected as to give among the 307 two cities 

for each State.

Surface water is supplied to 234 of these cities that together have 

a population of about 35,000,000, and ground water to 73 of these 

cities that have a population of about 4,000,000. The surface supplies used in 112 cities that have a population of about 20,000,000 

are not filtered. The surface supplies used in 113 cities that have 

a population of about 11,000,000 are treated with a coagulant and 

filtered. The supplies for 9 cities that have a population of about 

3,500,000 are filtered without previous addition of chemicals.

In practically all the waters for which analyses are given in this 

report the only constituents of much industrial consequence are 

calcium and magnesium, which cause hardness.

More than 17,000,000 consumers are served with water of less 

than 55 parts per million of hardness, nearly 6,000,000 with water 

of 55 to 100 parts per million of hardness, more than 11,000,000 

with water of 100 to 200 parts per million of hardness, and about 

4,500,000 with water of more than 200 parts per million of hardness.

Municipal treatment of the water of a public supply generally 

improves it for industrial use. At some places the improvement 

consists merely of removal of suspended material. At other places 

color is reduced, and at some the water is softened. Further softening 

of municipally softened water is profitable for most industrial plants.

DESCRIPTIONS AND ANALYSES OF PUBLIC 

SUPPLIES.

In the following table are given the data in detail upon which 

the report is based. The population of each city is given in parentheses after the name; the.other data are self-explanatory.
28 INDUSTRIAL UTILITY OJ PUBLIC WATER SUPPLIES.

TABLE 6. Public water supplies of the

No. Description.

10

Birmingham (178,806); Birmingham Waterworks Co. (controlled by American Waterworks <& 

Electric Co., 50 Broad Street, New York, N. Y.). Cahaba River and Fivemile Creek, both filtered. Cahaba River furnishes about two-thirds of the total supply. A, Average of analyses of 

30 composites of 10 daily samples each from Cahaba River; analyzed by U. S. Geological Survey, 

1906-7 (Water-Supply Paper 236, p. 51). B, Composite sample of filtered water from Fivemile Creek, May 15-25,1922; analyzed by Norbert M. Berberich, Birmingham Waterworks Co.

Mobile (60,777); municipal; creeks impounded. Analyzed by Margaret D. Foster, U. S. Geological Survey, Feb. 21,1922. A, Spring Hill Creek; B, Bienvllle Creek.

Montgomery (43,464); municipal; wells 200-700feet deep. Analyzed by C. L. Hare, Auburn, Ala., 

August, 1921.-

ARIZONA.

Phoenix (29,053); municipal; infiltration galleries near Verde River, near Fort McDowell.

yzed by John C. Sparks, New York, N. Y., 1918. 

Tucson (20,292); municipal; wells. Analyzed by C. S. Howard, U. S. Geological Survey...

AnalSource.

A, Santa Cruz drainage basin, seven wells at Eighteenth and Osborn streets.

B, Rillito drainage basin, Eighth Street well........

C, Rillito drainage basin, Second Street well.........

D, Rillito drainage basin, Speedway Heights, two 

wells.

Depth 

(feet).

75-471

500

500

500

Per cent 

of total 

supplyDate of collection.

June 14,1922.

Do.

June 19,1922.

No sample; st

ses B and C

Fort Smith (28,870); municipal; Poteau River; filtered. Analyzed by E. F. Voigt, Fort Smith

District Board of Health ,1921. 

Little Rock (65,142); Arkansaw Water Co. (controlled by American Waterworks & Electric Co.,

50 Broad Street, New York. N. Y.); Arkansas River; filtered. Analyzed by U. S. Geological

Survey, 1906-7 (Water-Supply Paper 236, p. 49).

CALIFORNIA.

Alameda (28,806); East Bay Water Co., Oakland. (See Oakland)..................................

Berkeley (56,036); East Bay Water Co., Oakland. (See Oakland).................-..........-.....

Fresno (45,086); Fresno Water Co., wells 110 to 215 feet deep at 23 pumping stations in different 

parts of the city. Analyses of water from other wells in the county indicate that the supply 

may be rather hard and possibly high in sulphate. A, Average of determinations on 6 samples 

from different pumping stations. B, Griffith McKenzie Building. C, Station No. 20 (2 wells). 

Analyzed by State Board of Health, Sept. 29,1921.

Long Beach (55,593); municipal; drilled wells, 12 inches in diameter; water is mixed by pumping 

into a single main. Analyzed by Margaret D. Foster, U. S. Geological Survey, Oct. 19, 1921.

Source.

A, Alamitos No. 2......

B, Development No. 1. 

C, Citizen No. 1........

D, Citizen No. 4.......

Depth 

(feet).

273

1,017

420

1,155

Yield 

(gallons

per 

minute).

1,100

1,700

1,100

2,700
U p w > pw>-

gggg IJ!

s s? *° s ' * '

JUUL£ i i i

'Wj^j^l^i? ' : ' 

tO l_t |_* ( * CO ( * 

-J S 1 OO COOO

H* ( * 1 * t ' t ' l-i

 *! tO *J tO *4O%O%

K S £S so . . .

£ ' S CO

SK

SS9

6K»

. .«. S

rf^ OO 

to

to gin

to Co co

*.!- 

03OQO

to

totocS Sig

«5S

ggtoS

oo M

o_w > : 

-* W O 00 CO 

^ h-* > 

QO*O 

Crt CO O* CJi 

CO 

.... 

h- CO O 

CO ^ -4 CJ» 

oo w oo v> 

4*. Oi CJ1 I * 

«i«g 

OS CD Co to 

to to to -5 

G* 

 CO 

a

S C£3S S 

C» in ito. 
30 INDUSTRIAL, UTILITY OF PUBLIC WATER SUPPLIES.

TABLE 6. Public water supplies of the

No. Description,

12

13

16

18

19

22

23

24

25

26

27

CALIFORNIA continued.

Los Angeles (576,673); municipal; Owens River and tunnels beneath Los Angeles River. Analyzed 

' in laboratory of Los Angeles Dept. Public Service, 1921 . A, Owens River (44 per cent of supply); 

B, Los Angeles River (56 per cent of supply).

Oakland (216,261); East Bay Water Co.; wells and surface waters, filtered. The East Bay Water 

Co. also supplies Alameda, Berkeley, Richmond, and a number of small towns and unincorporated territory in between; total population supplied about 350,000. A, Sample from tap at 

Twenty-fourth Avenue pumping station. This supply is one-half ground and one-half surface 

water and constitutes about two-thirds of the daily supply of the district served. B, Sample from 

pure-water basin, San Pablo filters. This supply is all surface water and is about one-third of 

the total supply. Analyzed by Western Lab jratories, Oakland, Aug. 4, 1921.

Pasadena (45,351); municipal; Arroyo Seco Canyon and filter galleries and wells in the valley. 

Analyzed by Pasadena city chemist, Oct. 4, 1920.

Sacramento (65,903); municipal; Sacramento River; filtered. Average of analyses made by II. S. 

Gertogical Survey, 1907-8 (Water-Supply Paper 237, p. 32),

San Diego (74,683); municipal; reservoirs. Analyzed by Smith-Emery Co., Los Angeles, Calif., 

July 23, 1921. A, Morena reservoir (chlorinated water), 40 miles east of city; Morena, Barrett, 

and. Otay reservoirs via Otay supply 91 per cent of water. B, Hodges reservoir (raw water), 

30 miles north of city; supplies 9 per cent of total.

San Francisco (508,676); Spring Valley Water Co.; reservoirs and wells. Water from the different sources is mixed in varying proportions at different times of the year. The maximum and 

minimum results given possibly do not represent the extremes but probably cover the usual 

range in composition of the -water. Analyzed by Albert S. Corwithen, Geo. W. Lord Co., 

Philadelphia, Pa., Apr. 10. 1910.

San Jose (39,642); San Jose Waterworks (private company); impounding reservoirs and wells. 

About 70 per cent of the water supplied is collected in reservoirs from the Santa Cruz Mountains. 

The rest is pumped from deep wells. Analyzed by Frank Bachman, California State Board of 

Health, Apr. 4, 1919. A. Raw water from Tisdale flume, Santa Cruz Mountains. B, Water from 

well M.

Stockton (40.296); Pacific Gas & Electric Co.; wells from 200 to 1,100 feet deep. Analyzed by 

California State Board of Health, Jan. 26, 1920.

t); part filtered. Analyzed by Ray R. LaCroix, Denver, Oct. 24. 1921. 

al; Arkansas River; iron sulphate and lime; sedimentation. Analysis

20 Colorado Springs (30,105); municipal; reservoirs. Analyzed by city department of public health 

I and sanitation, December, 1915.

21 Denver Cherry (256,491); Creek municipal; South Fork of Platte River (93 per cent), Bear Creek (5 per cent), and (2 per cent); " ' ' ' - ----' -- - *->- » 

Pueblo (43,050); municipal; m*.aiLsao *vivtu, m 

furnished by Pueblo Waterworks, Nov. 7,1921.

CONNECTICUT.

Bridgeport (143,555); Bridgeport Hydraulic Co.; impounding reservoirs. Supplies Stratford.

Shelton, Trumbull, Fairflela, and Westport; total population served about 185,000. Analyzed

by F. C. Barrows, Bridgeport Hydraulic Co., 1921. 

Hartford (138,036); municipal; impounding reservoirs filtered without coagulation. Analyzed by

Newlands Sanitary Laboratory, Hartford; A, Aug. 4, 1922; B and C, September, 1917. A,

Nepaug reservoir (principal supply). B, Reservoir No. 2. C, Reservoir No. 6. 

Meriden (34,764); municipal; impounding reservoirs fed by surface streams. The composition of 

. the water is similar to that of the New Haven supply. Analyzed by Connecticut State Board

of Health. A, Average of 12 samples from Kenmere reservoir, 1899. B, Average of 23 samples at 

; , gate house, 1889-90. C, Average of 12 samples from Merimere reservoir, 1889. D, Average of 2 

' samples, 1920. 

New Britain (59,316); municipal; impounding reservoir. The composition of the water is similar

to that of thejNew Haven supply. Average of monthly samples April, 1920, to March, 1921.

reservoirs. Supplies East Haven.

uauiuBii, »»uuuuimge, »»esi, janveu, i-nurku jaavou, nuu vjheshire. Total population supplied 

about 194,000. Analyzed by Margaret D. Foster, U. S. Geological Survey.

Source.

A, Mill River at Whitneyville pumping station. 

B, Saltonstall reservoir..........................

C, Maltbv Lakes................................

D, West River..................................

Million 

gallons 

per day.

Date of 

collection.

Nov. 29,1921 

Feb. 7,1922 

.....do.......

Nov. 29,1921
DESCBIPT1ONS AND ANALYSES.

of the United States Continued.

31

Analyses (parts per million).

A...... 

B......

A......

B......

A......

B......

Max.... 

Min....

A......

B......

'

.........

A......

B......

C.......

A......

B......

C......

D......

Avg....

A......

B......

C.......

D......

Total dissolved 

solids.

o279 

o378

341

360

218

113

365 

350

369

218

200

300

970

38 

250 

447

fl47

67 

60 

70

41

41

54

46

94

76

60

39

ignition. Loss on

36 

54

30

7.5

312

9.5 

42

9.6

21 

16

18 

2.0

1.8

Silica (Si0 ).2

22 

22

16 

2.9

36

28

9.9 

7.2

7.5 

7.0 

11

14

3.2 

9.0 

5.9

6.7

5.9

1

0 

0

62.3 

62.4

6.18 

.43 

63.9

.1 

.0

.2

6.69 

.20 

61.5

.30

6.6 

62.9 

62.5

.06

.16

Calcium (Ca).

39 

66

51

49

38 

13

38 

22

38 

21

34

44

139

6.7 

41 

56

4.5

2.6 

9.3 

6.0

22 

21

15

4.9

Magnesium (Mg).

16 

21

13 

15

10 

6.7

18 

19

18

7.6

14 

16

52

1.7 

10

23

.7

.4 

2.8 

2.2

3.3

1.7

Sodium andpotassium (Na+

K).

34 

33

a 61 

a 45

6.4 

13

62 

64

70 

37

16 

39

71

3.2 

44

/Na 3.4 

\K 3.1

5.7 

«3.5

fNa 4.0

IK 1.8

/Na 2.0 

IK 1.1

Bicarbonate (HCO radicle ).3

165 

214

207 

174

142 

74

238 

172

276 

91

183 

262

157

5.6 

104 

105

jo 16

12 

25 

25

[ 62

50 

17

Sulphate radicle

(S0<).

59 

103

60 

94

24 

17

25 

14

36 

10

13 

20

30

7.1 

80 

209

7.1

8.0 

9.3

7.8

13

12 

10

7.6

Chloride radicle

(Cl).

28 

28

57 

30

12

5.4

57

82

76 

23

10 

16

352

7.3 

22 

15

3.5

1.4 

2.6

2.2

2.2

7.6

4.2 

5.0

3.4

Nitrate radicle

(N0 ).3

Tr. 

Tr.

2.3

.64

Tr. 

.13 

Tr.

1.6

.22

Total hardness 

CaCOs .a3

163

251

181

183

139 

60

169 

133

166 

83

142

176

560

24 

143 

234

14

8 

35 

24 

429

<U3 

<*38

69

<*27 

19

No.

12 

13

14 

15 

16

17 

18 

19

20 

21

22

23 

24 

25

26

27

a Calculated.

& Iron and aluminum oxides (Fej

d Determined.

i Less than 10 parts.
32 INDUSTRIAL UTILITY OF PUBLIC WATEE SUPPLIES.

TABLE 6. Public water supplies of the

No. Description.

28

29

30

32

35

39

40

41

42

43

44

45

46

CONNECTICUT continued.

New London (25,688); municipal; reservoirs impounding water from Lake Konomoc and from surface streams. The composition of the water is similar to that of the West River supply at New 

Haven. Average of 5 analyses made by Connecticut State Board of Health in 1920.

Norwalk (27,743); municipal; reservoir fed by streams. The composition of the water is similar 

to that of the New Haven supply. Average of 10 analyses made by Connecticut State Board of 

Health in 1921.

Norwich (29,685); municipal; reservoir fed by streams. The composition of the water is similar 

to that of the West River supply at New Haven. Average of 31 analyses made by Connecticut 

State Board of Health in 1921.

31 Stamford (40,067); municipal; reservoirs fed by Mill River and other streams. The composition of 

the water is similar to that of the Mill River supply at New Haven. Average of 7 analyses made 

by Connecticut State Board of Health in 1921.

Waterbury (91,715); municipal; stream impounded. Analysis by Connecticut State Board of 

Health, July 26,1921.

DELAWARE.

Dover (4,042); municipal; artesian wells about 200 feet deep; auxiliary supply from wells 22 and 24 

feet deep. Analyzed by Margaret D. Foster, U. S. Geological Survey, Feb. 28,1922. Wilmington (110,168); municipal; Brandywine Creek; filtered. Average of concordant analyses of 

samples collected Aug. 11, 1913, Aug. 10, 1914, and May 19,1915. Analyzed by James M. Caird, 

Troy, N. Y.

DISTRICT OP COLUMBIA.

Washington (437,571); municipal; Potomac River; filtered. Average of analyses of composite 

samples made by Margaret D. Foster, U. S. Geological Survey, 1921. For individual analyses see 

page 3.

FLORIDA.

Jacksonville (91,558); municipal; wells 650 to 1,175 feet deep. Analyzed by Margaret D. Foster, 

U. S. Geological Survey, Aug. 7,1922.

Miami (29,571); Miami Water Co.; wells 40 to 45 feet deep. Analyzed by Margaret D. Foster and 

Clara M. Forman, U. S. Geological Survey. Jan. 21,1920.

Pensacola (31,035); municipal; wells 150 to 250 feet deep. Analyzed by U. S. Geological Survey, 

Dec. 16, 1907.

Tampa (51,608); Tampa Waterworks Co. About four-fifths of the supply is from wells and onefifth from'Magbee Spring. Analyzed by Margaret D. Foster, U. S. Geological Survey, Aug. 21, 

1922. A, Composite of 7 samples proportional to the quantities of water supplied by each source 

represented. B, Most concentrated sample, l£inch conduit. C, Least concentrated sample, 

Magbee Spring.

GEORGIA.

Atlanta (200,616); municipal; Chattahoochee River; filtered. The composition of the river water 

is variable,but the total quantity of dissolved material is at all times so small that a single analysis 

of the filtered water is probably as useful as a series of results. Analyzed by Margaret D. Foster, 

U. S. Geological Survey, Aug. 31,1921.

Augusta (52,548); municipal; Savannah River; filtered. The analyses made by the U. S. Geological Survey in 1906-7 (Water-Supply Paper 236, p. 99) may be taken to represent the character of 

the city water at the present time except for silica, which is probably less than 10 parts per million 

in the water served to consumers.

Columbus (31,125); municipal; Chattahoochee River; filtered. The analysis of Chattahoochee 

River at West Point made by the U. S. Geological Survey in 1906-7 (Water-Supply Paper 236, 

p. 54) may be taken as representative qf the city water at Columbus except for silica, which is 

probably less than 10 parts per million.

Macon (52,995); municipal; Ocmulgee River; filtered. The treatment slightly decreases the quantity of silica and of bicarbonate and increases the sulphate. Analyzed by U. S. Geological Survey, 

1906-7 (Water-supply Paper 236, p. 86).

Savannah (83,252); municipal; wells about 400 feet deep. Earlier and later analyses of samples 

from other wells indicate that the analysis of the composite sample from 4 wells represents the 

water now used. Analyzed by R. B: Dole, U. S. Geological Survey, Aug. 3,1915.

Boise (21,393); Boise Artesian Water Co.; artesian wells about 600 feet deep and a dug well 30 feet 

deep and 22 feet in diameter. A, Artesian wells. B,Dugwell. Analyzed by Margaret D.Foster, 

U. S. Geological Survey, Apr. 27,1922.

Pocatello (15,001); municipal; reservoirs fed by springs. Analyzed by E. O. Leonard, Pocatello, 

June 2,1921.
DESCRIPTIONS AND ANALYSES. 

larger cities of the United States Continued.

33

Analyses (parts per million).

Avg....

A......

B......

C......

Avg....

Max....

Min....

Avg....

Avg. . . .

.........

A. r....

B......

dissolved Total

solids.

37

53

38

75

34

201

94

103

420

772

22

1,273

32

60

90

42

52

69

183

81

187

164

ignition. Loss on

6

3.5

44

3.8

8.4

1.6

80

1.5

...:..

......

3.5

4.1

7

(SiO ). Silica 2

55

6.7

6.6

24

12

8.8

22

10

23

37

12

20

26

53

20

33

Iron(Fe).

0.09

.13

.07

.15

.64

Tr.

.48

.08

.44

1.8

Tr.

.47

.9

.03

.16

.32

Calcium (Ca).

36

17

23

76

116

.7

113

2.4

5.7

8.4

3.9

4.8

6.3

24

12

34

Magnesium 

(Mg).

6.1 {

1.7

28 [

18

.4

33

»{

.8

4.8

Tri

.8

1.2!

7.*

2.3 {

3.9, {

Sodium andpotassium (Na+ 

K).

Na 11 

K 1.6

5.4

Na 3.0 

K 1.4

Na 12 

K 2.1

141

^ 1

Na 2.3 

K .6

12

13

9.2

7.7

8.'3

18

Na 7.7 

K 1.0

Na 15 

K 1.8

Bicarbonate (HCO radicle ).3

18

| 160

48

| 163

282

3 7

176

144

203

\ 6.6

30

40

9.8

23

28

129

\ 50

t 107

85

Sulphate radicle 

).(S04

7.2

9.7

20

165

56

2.0

92

0220

028

7.8

6.0

7.4

4.7

4.5

4.9

15

8.5

38

Chloride radicle

(Cl).

2.8

3.0

8.4

3.3

15

269

4.8

548

1,414

136

1.8

2.1

3.5

Tr.

2.1

2.3

6.4

1.4

3.2

8.0

Nitrate radicle 

(N0 ).3

0.12

2.8

.42

Tr.

.2

2.8

.33

.6

3.0

.0

.7

.7

.1

2-0

6:7

Total hardness 

CaCOs.o as 

<U4

<U7

115

49

80

305

364

3

418

<J487

11

18

35

10

15

21

82

38

1OT

fc!22

No.

2S

30

31

M.

33

34

35

36

37

38

39

40

41

42

43

44

45

46

o Calculated.

<J Determined.

a Determined by turbidity.

ft Determined. Noncarbonate hardness, 52 parts.
34 INDUSTRIAL UTILITY OF PUBLIC WATER SUPPLIES.

TABLE 6. Public water supplies of the

No. Description.

53

56

57

60

61

65

66

67

70

71

Aurora (36,397); municipal; wells. Analyzed by Illinois State Water Survey, Oct. 28, 1902 (Illinois

Univ. Bull., vol. 5. No. 7, p. 14). 

Bloomington (28,725); municipal; wells 60 to 80 feet deep. Analyzed by Illinois State Water Survey, Feb. 8, 1916. 

Chicago (2,701,705); municipal; Lake Michigan. Analyzed by G. A. Weinhold, Illinois State Water

Survey, Dec. 5, 192]. 

Cicero (44,995); municipal; Chicago supply. (See Chicago,)........................................

Danville (33,776); municipal; North Fork of Vermilion River; filtered. Analyzed by G. A. Weinhold, Illinois State Water Survey, May 9, 1921.

Decatur (43,818); municipal; Sangamon River; filtered. Silica is probably less than 10 parts per 

million in the filtered water, but in other respects the analyses made by U. S. Geological Survey 

in 1906-7 (Water-Supply Paper 239, p. 72) probably represent the city water at the present time.

East St. Louis (66,767); East St. Louis & Interurban Water Co. (controlled by American Waterworks & Electric Co., 50 Broad Street, New Yo'fK, N. Y-.); Mississippi Biver; filtered. Supplies 

Lovejoy, Fairmount, Granite City, Madison, Venice, Belleville, Swansea, and National City; 

total population served about 100,000. Filtration reduces the silica to less than 10 parts per 

million and slightly increases the sulphate and decreases the bicarbonate. The average of analyses of samples for a year at Chester, 111., may be taken to represent the average character of the 

water. Analyzed by U. S. Geological Survey, 1908-7 (Water-Supply Paper 239, p. 83).

Elgin (27.454); municipal; wells. Analyzed by Illinois State Water Survey, January, 1906 (Illinois 

Lniv. Bull., vol. 5, No. 7, p. 43).

Evanston (37,234); municipal; Lake Michigan; filtered. The chemical treatment decreases the 

silica and bicarbonate and increases the sulphate, but the filtered water is not very different in 

chemical composition from the unfiltered water used at Chicago. (See Chicago.)

Joliet (38,442); municipal; wells about 40 feet deep in drift, and drilled wells 1,200 to 1,700 feet 

deep. Analyzed by Illinois State Water Survey. A, Mixture of deep and shallow well water, 

June 27, 1918. B, Deep-well water, Apr. 24, 1918.

Moline (30,734); municipal; Mississippi River; filtered. Filtration reduces the silica to less than 

10 parts per million and slightly increases the sulphate and decreases the bicarbonate. Analysis 

of river water by U. S. Geological Survey, 1906-7 (Water-Supply Paper 239, p. 81).

Oak Park (39,858); municipal; obtains its supply from Chicago. (See Chicago).... .................

Peoria (76,121): Peoria Waterworks Co.; wells 60 to 90 feet deep. Analysis furnished by Pecjria 

Waterworks Co. as an average mineral analysis, 1921.

Quincy (35,978); municipal; Mississippi River; filtered. The treatment with aluminum sulphate 

and lime decreases the alkalinity and silica and increases the sulphate, but the changes are not 

great. Analyzed by U. S. Geological Survey, 1906-7 (Water-Supply Paper 239, p. 82).

Rock Island (35,177); municipal; Mississippi River; filtered. The analyses of Mississippi River 

at Moline made by the U. S. Geological Survey In 1906-7 may be taken as representative of the 

city supply at Rock Island. (See Moline.)

Rockford (65,651); municipal; wells 1,300 to 2,000 feet deep. Analyzed by Illinois State Water 

Survey. June 25, 1917.

Springfield (59,183); municipal; wells and infiltration galleries along Sangamon River. Analyzed 

by Illinois State Water Survey, Feb. 26, 1917.

INDIANA.

Anderson (29,767); municipal; White River; filtered. The composition of the water is fairly

uniform throughout the year. Analyzed by Margaret D. Foster, U. S. Geological Survey, Feb.

27, 1922. 

East Chicago (35,967); East Chicago & Indiana Harbor Water Co., controlled by Indianapolis Water

Co.; Lake Michigan; filtered. Average of monthly analyses for two years made by Indianapolis

Water Co. 

Evansville (85,264); municipal; Ohio River; filtered. Analyses from laboratory of filtration plant;

monthly averages; published in annual report of city of Evansville for 1920.

Fort Wayne (86,549) ; muncipal; wells 150 to 270 feet deep. Analyzed by C. H. Hurd, Indianapolis, 

Ind., for Fort Wayne Waterworks, Jan. 8, 1919. A, Sample from pumping station No. 1. B,

The water is practically the Same

Sample from pumping station No. 2. 

Gary (55,378); Gary Heat, Light & Water Co.; Lake Michigan.

as the supply lor East Chicago. (See East Chicago.) 

Hammond (36.004); municipal; Lake Michigan; filtered. The water is practically the same as the

supply for East Chicago. (See East Chicago.) 

Indianapolis (314,194); Indianapolis Water Co.; White River, filtered without coagulation (85 to 88

per cent of supply); wells (12 to 15 per cent of supply). Analyzed by Indianapolis Water Co.

A, Average of analyses of composites of daily samples of filtered water over a period of 7 years.

B. Average of analyses of composites of daily samples from Fall Creek station wells over a period

of 2 years. 

Kokomo (30,067); Kokomo Waterworks Co. (controlled by American Waterworks & Electric Co.,

50 Broad Street, New York, N. Y.); wells 130 and 150 feet deep. Analyzed by Dearborn Chemical

Co., Chicago, 111., Aug. 19, 1921 
DESCKIPTIONS AND ANALYSES.

larger cities of the United States Continued.

35

Analyses (parts per million).

Avg.... 

Avg....

A......

B......

Avg.... 

Max.... 

Min....

Avg....

Max'.".".."

Min....

.........

Max. . .

Min....

A......

B......

A......

B......

Total dissolved 

solids.

o969

183

326

293 

269

685

475

179 

241 

124

430

203

244 

144

o339 

o371

348

ol88

528

536

342

361

ignition. Loss on

......

......

6.0

......

12

6.5

(SiO Silca ).s

6.2 

16 

18

4.3 

19

22 

12

7.4 

11.

16

29 

8.0

7.4

18 

31

8.4

9.9 

10

7.0

7.3 

14

11

Iron (Fe).

0.8 

.14 

.4

.1 

.27

.39 

.6

.07 

.0

.39 

.80 

.20

.46 

2.2 

.02

.07 

1.0

.17

.2 

.01

.31 

1.2

5.9

Calcium (Ca).

66 

203 

36

58 

55

44 

54

120 

58

33 

42 

20

72

36 

45 

24

68 

'73

72 

44

83 

67.

72 

74

59

Magnesium(Mg).

15 <

74 H

10 H

27 { 

26

16 

29{

45 {

21

13 

19

8.2

36

16 

24 

10

36 1 

30 /

29 { 

14

8.5

16

3.7

43 

63

27 

32

25

Sodium andpo- tassium (Na+ 

K).

Na 74 

K 15 

Na 14 

K 2.7 

Na 4.6 

K 1.6

Na 7.6 

K 2.0

14 

21

Na 31 

K 8.1

Na 26 

K 4.6 

82

10

18 

5.9

36

11 

18 

7.0

Na 8.9 

K 3.5 

Na 20 

K 1.7

Na 5.1 

K 2.0

5

o35 

o31

13 

16

68

Bicarbonate radicle(HCO ).3

} o253 

I o504 

\ 144

} 206 

268

174 

\ o 415

\ 269 

322

152 

205 

91

426

175 

225 

121

[ o378 

} o318

262 

"189

71 

101 

48 

399 

380

275 

380

133

Sulphate radicle

(soo.

31 

404 

10

80 

35

56

2.8

293 , 

97

24 

35 

15

30

25 

39 

14

IS

59

72 

15

118 

167

58 

29

130

Chloride radicle

(Cl).

122 

8.0 

6.0

6.0 

5.4

9.8 

2.0

19 

36

3.7 

8.3 

. 1.8

18

4.4

9.0 

2.3

6 

18

20 

5.3

19 

30 

14

8 

6

20

 6.5

28

£

"S 

I5

2

0.6 

.0 

1.8

18

8.5

2.7 

.9

' 9.2 

.9

1.8 

4.0 

.3

2.2 

5.0 

.3

3.5 

1.8

11 

.50

5.8 

.3

Total hardness 

CaCO .os 3

228 

811 

131

256 

244

176

254

484 

231

136 

176 

124

328

156 

191 

101

316 

305

299 

167

d 110 

d!69

384 

426

291 

316

250

No.

47 

48 

49

50 

51

52 

53

54

55

56 

57

58 

59

60 

61

62 

63

64 

65 

66 

67

68 

69 

70

71

o Calculated, 

d Determined.
36 INDUSTRIAL UTILITY OF PUBLIC WATER SUPPLIES.

TABLE 6. Public water supplies of the

No. Description.

INDIANA continued.

Muncie (36,524); Muncie Waterworks Co. (controlled by American Waterworks & Electric Co., 50 

Broad Street, New York, N. Y.); White River j filtered. Records over a period of several years 

show variations in alkalinity of 150 to 300 parts per million. The average analysis given for filtered water at Indianapolis may be taken as fairly representative of the average composition of 

the water at Muncie. (See analysis A, Indianapolis.)

Richmond (26.765); Richmond City Waterworks (private company). Infiltration galleries. Analysis furnished by Richmond City Waterworks, Jan. 9,1922.

South Bend (70,983); municipal; wells about 100 feet deep. Analyses by IT. S. Geological Survey, 

October, 1907 (Water Supply Paper 254, p. 214). A, Sample from central station. B, Sample 

from north station.

Terre Haute (66,083); Terre Haute Waterworks Co.; Wabash River; filtered. Analyses furnished 

by Terre Haute Waterworks Co., 1920; based on monthly composites of daily samples collected 

during 1920.

IOWA.

Cedar Rapids (45,566); municipal; main supply from Cedar River; filtered; 5 to 30 per cent of supply 

from wells 1,450 feet deep. A, Analyses of water from Cedar River at Cedar Rapids made by U. S. 

Geological Survey in 1906-7 (Water-Supply Paper 236, p. 53). B, Analysis of water from West 

Side well made by Kansas City Testing Laboratory, 1921.

Council Bluffs (36,162); municipal; Missouri River; filtered. Analyses by Joseph B. Thornell 

indicate that the composition of the water is practically the same as at Omaha, Nebr. Analyses 

of Missouri River near Omaha made by U. S. Geological Survey in 1906-7 (Water-Supply Paper 

236, p. 78).

Davenport (56,727); Davenport Water Co.; Mississippi River; filtered. The treatment undoubtedly removes more silica and slightly more iron than the laboratory filtration of the samples 

analyzed in 1907. The sulphate may be slightly increased. With these relatively unimportant 

exceptions the published analyses probably represent very closely the composition of the water 

delivered to consumers. The analyses of Mississippi River at Moline, 111., made by the U. S. 

Geological Survey in 1906-7 (Water-Supply Paper 239, p. 81) may be taken as representative of 

the city supply at Davenport.

Des Moines (126,468); municipal; infiltration galleries. Analyzed by Dale L. Maffltt, Des Moines 

Water Department, May 23,1921.

Dubuque (39,141); municipal. Analyzed by Margaret D. Foster, U. S. Geological Survey. May 16, 

1922.

Source.

Approximate

average 

depth 

(feet).

Percent 

of total 

supply.

A, Shallow wells. 

B, Artesian wells. 

C, Level tunnel...

100

1,400

81 Sioux City (71,227); municipal; wells. Analyzed by Margaret D. Foster, U. S. Geological Survey, 

Mar. 17,1922.

Source. Diameter 

(inches).

Depth 

(feet).

A, Leeds Station.... 

B, Lowell station... 

C, North Riverside.

280

327

347

82 Waterloo (36,230); municipal; deep wells. Analysis by W. S. Hendrixson published in U. S. 

Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 293, p. 143.
« " "

*

0

* 

' \ : : ::: .:.-: Z%£ : 

a

* 5 » S8S s ^s 

$-* b5 

00 £ ft S 5 S " ggsg r^^fc^p^S .

a £ g s 8 s s 8? gfecs *gs*m ^

1 JL1Z ^JJ, § -£G S«88p»S B

1 3S" ffi: SBB «MS.B K

1 63K 3 8 SB ^SSSBB^SB S

1 § S 8S 8 S K § sex gS^I^S^S a

oo oo *» en OOCOM o <o toce*. 

II H« f to >5 M CX COO 00 tfCncc OO"-1 

S S 8 S " 8818 2Sg SBEKiSi S

OO 00 "tX> *J "*-l "^ *J 
38 INDUSTRIAL UTILITY OF PUBLIC WATER SUPPLIES.

TABLE 6. Public water supplies of the

No. Description.

Kansas City (101,177); municipal; Missouri River; filtered. As the water is not softened the analyses of filtered river water made by the U. S. Geological Survey in 1906-7 (Water-Supply Paper 

236, p. 79) may be taken to represent the water delivered to consumers. The city water probably 

contains less iron and much less silica than the quantities given in the table.

84 Topeka (50,022); municipal; Kansas River; filtered. Composite of daily samples of filtered water 

for month of January, 1923. Analyzed by waterworks laboratory.

85 Wichita (72,217); 'Wichita Water Co.; wells 35 feet deep. Analyzed by Kansas State Board of 

Health, Apr. 9,1921.

KENTUCKY.

Covington (57,121); municipal; Ohio River. Supplies Fort Thomas, city, and United States 

barracks, Ludlow, and a small part of Bellevue; total population supplied about 67,COO. The 

analyses for a year of composite monthly samples of filtered water at Cincinnati, Ohio (annual report of Cincinnati Waterworks, 1917-18, p. 73), may be taken to represent the character of the 

water at Covihgton.

87 Lexington (41,534); Lexington Hydraulic & Manufacturing Co.; impounding reservoirs; filtered. 

Analyzed by J. M. Caird, Feb. 27,1922.

Louisville (234,891); -Louisville Water Co.; Ohio River; filtered. Analyzed by Louisville Water Co.

Newport (29,317); municipal; Ohio River. Supplies Bellevue and Dayton; total population supplied, about 44,000. The composition of the water is practically the same as at Covington and at 

Cincinnati, Ohio. (For analysis see Covington.)

LOUISIANA.

90 New Orleans (387,219);' municipal; Mississippi River; filtered; softened. Analyzed in laboratory 

of Purification Department, Sewerage and Water Board; approximate average composition for 

a number of years.

91

92

a iimiioei 01 ,veius. Shreveport (43,874); municipal; Cross Bayou and Red River; filtered. In 1920 the supply was 

obtained from Cross Bayou for about 8 months, from Red River about 3 months.and from both 

sources 1 month. The pumping in 1921 was in about the same proportions. A, Tap water from 

Cross Bayou, analyzed by H. H. Pier, Feb. 21,1921. B, Tap water from Red River, analyzed 

by H. H. Pier, Dec. 5,1918. C, Average of analyses of composite samples from Red River made 

by U. S. Geological Survey in 1907-8 (Water-Supply Paper 236, p. 95).

MAINE.

Bangor (25,978); municipal; Penobscot River; filtered. Analyzed by James M.Caird, Troy, N.Y. 

Single samples of tap water collected each month,, March, 1918, to February, 1919.

Lewiston (31,791); municipal; Lake Auburn. Analysis furnished by State Department of Health,

Portland (69,272); municipal; Lake Sebago. Analyzed by James M. Caird, Troy, N. Y. (14th 

AnnUal Report of Portland Water District, p. 49,1920).

MARYLAND.

Baltimore (733,826); municipal; Gunpowder River; filtered. Analyses of composite samples for 

each month of 1921 made in laboratory of filtration plant.

Cumberland (29,837); municipal; impounding reservoir; filtered. Analysis of raw water by Maryland State Board of Health, Dec. 31,1920. . Hagerstown (28,064): municipal. Supply for about 9 months from mountain springs and reservoirs; 

the rest of the time from Antietam Creek, filtered. Analyzed by Maryland State Board of Health, 

determinations on 6 samples, May, 1919, to October, 1921.

MASSACHUSETTS.

Boston (748,060); Metropolitan Water District; supplies also Arlington, Belmont, Chelsea, Everett, 

Lexington, Maiden, Medford, Melrose, Milton, Nahant, Quincy, Revere, Somerville, Stoneham, 

Swampscott, Watertown, Winthrop; total population supplied about 1,207,000. Nashua River 

impounded in Wachusett reservoir; other smaller streams and reservoirs. The Wachusett reservoir furnishes about 90 per cent of the water used, and the drainage basins from which the other 

water is obtained are not sufficiently different in character from that of Nashua River to make tiie 

water delivered to consumers much different from the water in the Wachusett reservoir under 

present methods of operation. The reservoir is so large and the mineral content of the water so 

low that the one analysis given may safely be taken to represent the mineral content of the Metropolitan water supply at any time. Analyzed by Margaret D. Foster, U. S. Geological Survey, 

May 12,1921.
DESCRIPTIONS AND ANALYSES. 

larger cities of the United States Continued.

39

Analyses (parts per million).

Avg.... 

Max. . . . 

Min....

Ave

Max....

Min....

Avg.... 

Max.... 

Min....

Avg.... 

A......

B......

C.......

Avg.... 

Max.... 

Min....

Avg.... 

Max.... 

Min....

Max....

Min....

dissolved Total 

solids.

426 

590 

291

391

01772

170

150 

230 

110

100

ol90 

328 

561

78 

99 

57 

32

22

74 

88 

64 

122

78 

26

.28

§

1

§

103

80

18 

17

44. 

64

26

10 

"36""

2.3

(Si0 Silica ).8

37 

89 

15

14 

24

3.5

4 

6 

1.5

10

8.2 

3.1 

30

1.4 i.8

1.0

2.0

6.5 

16 . 

1.7

3.7

(Fe). Iron 

0.73 

3.2 

Tr.

.07

.03 

.08 

.00

.1

H.5 

63.0 

6 .5

.03

61.7 

&2.0 

1.1

.20 

.25 

.15

.05

.07 

.1 

.0 

.0

.8

.0

.02

Calcium (Ca).

62 

91 

44

40 

153

33 

44

24

37

35 

50 

25

15

9.9 

84 

74

7.8 

11 

6,6

2-8

14 

21 

11 

34

3.0

Magnesium(Mg).

18 

30 

9.8

16 

36

3.7 

7.0 

.5

1.2

7 

12 

1

3

2.4 

.3 

17

.8 

1.3 

.6

1.3

4.1 

5.2

2.5 

1.5

.7

Sodium andpo- tassium (Na+ 

K).

44

68 

29

o97 

426

o!3 

«26 

ol.4

2.6

15 

30 

6

13

52 

30 

90

o4.4 

o7.7 

ol.fl

1.2

'3.1 

4.7 

1.8 

o36

/Na2.2\ \K i.of

£3 58JSBicarbonate !-"*.(» oo wtntf* as

sB^g ooSo entiww radicle (HC0 *. »).8

50

28 

137 

144

8.2 

11 

6.1 

13

3.3

47 

56 

34 

79

40

7

, 7.0

Sulphate radicle 

(S0«).

135 

179

87

93 

400

62 

95

45

28

45 

75 

31

25

52 

93 

140

21

24 

17

6.8

14 

24 

9.5 

10

6.0

Chloride radicle

(Cl).

13 

24

5.5

92 

610

19 

31

7

2.5

10 

35

8

9.6

50 

48 

121

2.8 

3.5 

1.5

1.5

5.1- 

'6,5 

4.0 

1.1

3.2

1.6

2.1

1

a>° 

"es^

2

2.2 

5.3 

Tr.

51

2.8

.9

.4

.04 

.09 

Tr.

.66

1.0 

1.4 

.5 

.40

.22

hardness Total 

CaCOs .o3

229 

348 

159

166 

543

97 

. 130

72

97

<J85 

<H25 

440

50

35 

211 

255

36 

39 

30

12

52 

71 

41 

91

<J120 

10

No.

S3

84 

85

86

87 

88

89

90 

91

92

93 

94

95

96 

97

98

o Calculated. & Iron and alumi num ox/des (FesOj+AlzOj). ^ Determined.
40 INDUSTRIAL UTILITY OF PUBLIC WATER SUPPLIES.

TABLE 6. Public water supplies of the

No. Description.

99

100

101

102

103

104

105

106

107

108

109

110

111

112

113

114

115

116

117

118

119

120

121

122

123

124

125

126

127

(See Boston)...............

State Board of Health, 1919.

MASSACHUSETTS continued-.

Brockton (66,254); municipal; Silver Lake and impounding reservoir. Analyzed by laboratory of 

Health and Water Department, 1921.

Brookline (37,748); municipal; tubular wells and filter gallery; filtered. Analyzed by State Board 

of Health, 1919.

Cambridge (109,694); municipal; impounding reservoirs; filtered. The quantity of dissolved 

mineral matter is so small that its actual composition is of little importance. The proportions of 

the different constituents are probably the same as in other surface waters in New England. Analyzed by Melville C. Whipple. Laboratory of Hygiene and Sanitation, Harvard University, Cambridge, July 12,1921.

Chelsea (43,184); supplied by Metropolitan Water District.

Chicopee (36,214); municipal; Cooley Brook. Analyzed b}

Everett (40,120); supplied by Metropolitan Water District. (See Boston).........................

Fall River (120,485); municipal; North Watuppa Lake. The composition of the small amount of 

dissolved mineral matter is probably very similar to that of other surface supplies in the State. 

Average of 32 analyses made by State Board of Health in 1918-19.

Fitchburg (41,029); municipal; lakes and ponds. Maximum and minimum of average analyses for^ 

year 1919 from 5 sources; analyzed by State Board of Health.

Haverhill (53,884); municipal; lakes and reservoirs. Maximum and minimum of analyses of samples collected from 6 sources, Apr. 20, and 21,1921; analyzed by State Board of Health.

Holyoke (60,203); municipal; reservoirs. Maximum and minimum of averages for year 1919 of samples from 5 sources; analyzed by State Board of Health.

Lawrence (94,270); municipal; Merrimack River; filtered without coagulation. Average of analyses by State Board of Health, 1919.

Lowell (112,759); municipal; wells; treated for removal of iron and manganese. Average of analyses by State Board of Health, 1919.

Lynn (99,148); municipal; reservoirs and Saugus River. Maximum and minimum of analyses of 

samples from 4 reservoirs; analyzed by State Board of Health, 1919.

Medford Maiden (49,103); supplied by Metropolitan Water District. (See Boston) (39,0"" v " '" ~" "' "" ' - -

New Bedford

contains so little dissolved mineral matter that the variations are of no practical importance. 

The composition of the mineral matter is undoubtedly similar, to that of the sapply for-Boston. 

Maximum and minimum of analyses made by State Board of Health, 1920. A, Little Quittacas 

Pond. B, Great Quittacas Pond.

Newton (46,054); municipal; wells and filter gallery. Average of analyses by State Board of Health,

Pittsfield (41,763); municipal; brooks and reservoirs. The different sources differ in chemical 

character, but the water from all is mixed. Average of analyses of samples from individual sources, 

weighted approximately according to the quantities supplied. Analyzed by State Board of Health, 

1919.

Quincy (47,876); supplied by Metropolitan Water District. (See Boston) ..........................

Revere (28,823); supplied by Metropolitan Water District. (See Boston)..........................

Salem (42,529); municipal; Wenham Lake and Longham reservoir. Averages of analyses by State 

Board of Health, 1919. A, Wenham Lake. B. Longham reservoir.

Somerville (93,091); supplied by Metropolitan Water District. (See Boston)......................

Springfield (129,614); municipal; Westfield Little River; filtered without coagulation. Analyzed 

by H. F. Salmonde, municipal waterworks. Average from March, W20, to February, 1921.

Taunton (37,137); municipal; Assawompsett Pond and Elder's Pond. Average of analyses by 

State Board of Health, 1919.

Waltham (30,915); municipal; wells. Average of analyses by State Board of Health, 1919............

Worcester (179,754); municipal; impounding reservoirs. The composition of the dissolved mineral

d (39,038); supplied by Metropolitan Water District. (See Boston).......................-.

edford (121,217); municipal; Little Quittacas Pond and Great Qnittacas Pond. The water

, .

matter is probably very similar to that of the water in Wachusett reservoir, an analysis of which 

is given for the Boston supply. Average,,flf.anal 

supply; analyzed by State Board of Bealth, 1919.

Battle Creek (36,164); municipal; 15 wells 110 to 131 feet deep. Analysis of sample from Verona 

station of Battle Creek waterworks, by Margaret D. Foster, U. S. Geological Survey, Mar. 3,1922.

Bay City (47,554); municipal; Saginaw Bay; filtered. Analysis of unfittered water from Saginaw 

Bay by C. S. Howard, U. S. Geological Survey, June 20,1922.

Detroit (993,678); municipal; Detroit River. Supplies Hamtramck and a number of smaller communities. Total population supplied about 1,050,000. Analyzed by W. M. Wallace, chemist, 

Detroit waterworks, July, 1921.
DESCEIPTIONS AND ANALYSES. 

larger cities of the United States Continued.

Analyses (parts per million).

Avg.:... 

Max....

Min....

Max.... 

Min.... 

Max....

Min....

Max....

Min....

A /Max. 

AlMin. 

T>/Max. 

B\Min.

Avg. . . .

A......

B......

Av.....

Avg....

Total dissolved 

solids.

o31 

89

73

37

41 

35

3d

69 

31 

55

41

61

64

62

54

44 

32 

52 

32

61

50

75

72

33

41

83

41

288 

267 

o99

Loss ignition. on 

2.0

23

16

19 

11

26 

12 

25 

15

6.0 

25

Silica (SiOj).

3.9

4.4

14 

21 

1

(Fe). Iron 

62.4 

.10

.15

.14

.85

.05

.22

.55

.15

.50

.12

.05

>2.1

.38

.08 

.30 

.2

Calcium (Ca).

2.2

3.3

71 

53 

27

Magnesium(Mg).

1.1

1.1

23 

13 

7.0

Sodium audpotassium (Na+ 

K).

4.3

/Na 2.0 

\K 1.3

13 

2

Bicarbonate radicle(HCO»).

8.1

20

Sulphate radicle 

(SO,).

; 6.1

1

5.9

[ 278 

165 

102

43 

41 

7.4

Chloride radicle 

(Cl).

4,6

7.7

7.0

2.1

6.2

2.3

1.9

6.1

3.4

2.2

1.7

4.8 

4.9

7.5

6.4

5.6

4.0

5.8

4.0

4.9

1.5

9.0

9 n

<1.6

5.0

7.2

2

0

3.0

18 

4.5

« "3

3 ' 

t-tt»

O

sx03 -^ 

t*

2

1.2

/

.36 

3.1 

.08

Total hardness CaCOs .<«3

10 

<*40 

d28

du

dU

dll 

d7 

d29 

dlQ. 

d29 

dl7 

dll

,<*24

d23 

d20

dll 

d3 

d!6 

d2

d26 

d35

d24 

d20

13 

<I8

d38 

dU

272 

186 

96

Na

99 

100 

101

102 

103 

104 

105

106 

107 

108 

109 

110 

111

112 

113 

114

115 

116

117 

118 

119

120 

121

122

123 

124

125 

126 

127

a Calculated.

6 Iron and aluminum oxides (Fe2O»-f Al3Oj).

d Determined.

* Average for year 1919 reported by Massachusetts State Board of Health.
42 INDUSTRIAL UTILITY OF PUBLIC WATER SUPPLIES.

TABLE 6. Public water supplies of the

No. Description.

128

129

130

131

132

133

134

135

136

137

138

139

140

141

142

143

144

145

146

MICHIGAN continued.

municipal; Flint River; Filtered; Softened since Jan. 23,1923. Analyzed by R. S. 

tration-pfant laboratory. A, Filtered water in 1921. B, Softened water in January, 

1923.

Flint (91,599); 

Buzzell, filtr

Grand Rapids (137,634); municipal; Grand River; filtered. Analyses of composite monthly samples by W. A. Sperry, waterworks laboratory, November, 1920, to June, 1921.

Hamtramck (48,615); supplied by Detroit. (See Detroit)........................................

Highland Park (46,499); municipal; Lake St. Clair; filtered. Typical analysis by waterworks

laboratory, 1922.

Jackson (48,374); municipal; wells 350 feet deep. Analysis furnished by State Board of Health, 1922 

Kalamazoo (48,487); municipal; wells 30 feet and 70 to 125 leet; all the water is probably from the

same geologic formation. Analyzed by State Board of i ealth, 1922. 

Lansing (57,327); municipal; wells 350 feet deep. Analyzed by State Board of Health, Aug. 12,1919,

from group of wells at Pennsylvania Avenue substation, which furnishes most of supply. 

Muskegon (36,570): municipal; Lake Michigan. Analyses of Lake Michigan at St. Ignace made

by U. S. Geological Survey in 1906-7 (Water-Supply Paper 236, p. 73) are fairly representative of

the quality of the lake water at Muskegon. 

Pontiac (34,273); municipal; wells about 200 feet deep; Dawson's Pond; filtered. A, Wells. B,

Dawson's Pond. Analyzed by C. S. Howard, U. S. Geological Survey, June 13,1922. 

Port Huron (25,944); municipal; Lake Huron. Analyzed by U. S. Geological Survey, 1906-7

(Water-Supply Paper 236, p. 65). 

Saginaw (61,903); Saginaw River. Analyzed by Margaret D. Foster, U. S. Geological Survey,

Aug. 16,1922.

MINNESOTA.

Duluth (98.917); municipal; Lake Superior. Partial analyses of samples taken in July and August, 

1921. indicate that the composition of the water is practically the same as found at Sault Ste. 

Marie bv U. S. Geological Survey in 1906-7 (Water-Supply Paper 236, p. 101).

Minneapolis (380.582); municipal; Mississippi River; filtered. Analyses of monthly composite 

samples of combined filter effluent, Minneapolis Waterworks Department, 1921.

St. Paul (234,698); municipal. The main supply is from lakes and is supplemented part of the 

time by water from wells. A, Lake water from screen chamber at McCarron pumping station, 

Apr. 19,1921. B, Wells at McCarron station, Sept. 6,1921. C, Average of 7 analyses of tap water 

between Jan. 1 and Mar. 3, 1922. Analyzed by R. A. Thuma, laboratory, Division of Water 

Purification.

MISSISSIPPI.

Jackson (22,817); municipal; Pearl River; filtered. The coagulation and filtration of the water 

probably reduce the silica to about 5 or 6 parts per million, slightly increase the sulphate, and 

decrease the bicarbonate, but the general character of the water is not greatly changed by the treatment. Analyzed by U. S. Geological Survey in 1906-7 (Water-Supply Paper 236, p. 89). Meridian (23,399); municipal; reservoirs; filtered. The coagulation and filtration reduce the silica 

to about 5 parts per million and the iron to less than 1 part. The other changes in composition 

are not of much importance. Analysis of unfiltered water by Margaret D. Foster, U. S. Geological 

Survey, Aug. 27,1919.

MISSOUKI.

Joplin (29,902); Joplin Waterworks Co. (controlled by the American Waterworks & Electric Co., 

50 Broad Street, New York, N. Y.); Shoal Creek; filtered. Analyzed by Margaret D. Foster, 

U. S. Geological Survey, Mar. 10,1922.

Kansas City (324.410); municipal; Missouri River; filtered. The analyses of the river water at Kansas 

City, Kans., show the probable composition of the water supplied in Kansas City, Mo., except 

for the reduction in silica caused by the coagulation. The silica is probably less than 10 parts 

per million. Average, maximum, and minimum analyses of Missouri River at Kansas City, 

Kans., by U. S. Geological Survey, in 1906-7,(Water-Supply Paper 236, p. 79).

St. Joseph (77,939); St. Joseph Water Co. (controlled by American Waterworks & Electric Co., 

50 Broad Street, New York, N. Y.); Missouri River; filtered. The chemical character of the 

water is represented fairly well by the analyses of Missouri River water given for Kansas City. 

(See Kansas City.)
!

PW wi nrpfs i irr s

o

to en tfr. H-1 to to f-1 K-> Co *- t-» co *-* 4k COt^ 

CO CO to M Cn COMCn ^MQO CO 9 CO OCOCn t-i (-* COCO 

*-oc£ en en encoco *-*oo *-* o t^ oocncn oo en ocn 

enco-i 90 S ootooo cncnco M o to^oo o to *en 

SB CO ' OH-'* *

M en jto |2 I w

r>«sj 5 * ?<*>« en^^SSg 8 g 2E2S 2 * : M 

tfch-to co H*^w*4 toio-^oiSfco w ooKoot-* eScnoi^i-

o> o *- 

C*5 1 * ^ * i tO h- ' h- ' ( i I » to I » CO bO tO 

«D O OO Cn ( l^fcOJ-1 COcSfcOCCHOO CO h- » ^J OO CO OO O OS rf*. 

oo .JE* *^ " '"' *""* *"* _^.^ o ?o MI 

w^ wg

^oo!C t-1 !^ o> *. E oo en co^ cotoM co toenrf^cnto * en co^i 

co i-* OOMCO otoooto *>j)^ M en oo 

CO CO O t^ ^* t~> Cn CO H-* w H-* CO Cw M Cn >^* O 00 to K- ' 0i > * en 

cnw^to co Cntoento cocnootototo en cn»&coo ooi^co&tt

>- -1 * I-1 tO ti 

cnJSco co wj-'enco [-t-'cot-'foto [- c^toto-j top>Moo*

en o 4k oo o*. co co to oo oo i-" t-* cnco M o en 

HH ' '

Hcnto en H Hto ^ "* . .

 COtO * tOM OtO^CntO Cn 00 * CO . . 

m S . BW ggS 5 e g,SS sills

fe fc^ Efe SfcSSSHsi? KK 
44 INDUSTRIAL UTILITY OF PUBLIC WATER SUPPLIES.

TABLE 6. Public water supplies of the

No. Description.

147

148

149

150

151

152

153

154

155

156

157

158

159

160

161

MISSOUEI continued.

St. Louis (772,897); municipal; Mississippi River; filtered. Analyses of semimonthly composite 

samples July 1,1920, to June 30,1921, made by St. Louis Waterworks laboratory.

Springfield (39,631); Springfield City Water Co.; springs and wells. Analyzed by R. Neal, Drury 

College, Springfield, Nov. 25,1921.

'MONTANA.

Butte (41,611); Butte Water Co.; reservoirs. Average of analyses of samples collected Oct. 16,1912.

from Basin Creek, from Moulton supply, and from Bighole River. Analyzed for U. S. Geological

Survey by S. C. Dinsmore. 

Great Falls (24,121); municipal; Missouri River; filtered. Analyzed by W. M. Cobleigh, Montana

State College, Bozeman, Mont., Aug. 28,1920.

Lincoln (54,948); municipal; wells 190 tp 200 feet deep.

logical Survey, Oct. 17,1921. 

Omaha (191,601); municipal; Missouri River at Flo:

Analyzed by Margaret D. Foster, U. S. Georuicuia iii7i.,vuj.y, uiiuuibiiiai, uuaauuii .invoi at, Florence; filtered. The changes in composition 

of the dissolved mineral matter due to the chemicals used in treatment are insignificant compared 

to those that take place with the changes in stage of the river. The analyses of filtered composite 

samples made by U. S. Geological Survey in 1906-7 (Water-Supply Paper 236, p. 78) may safely 

be taken to represent the general chemical character of water used in Omaha.

of Health (Report of Department of Food and Drugs Control, Weights and Measures, 

and Water Laboratory for period ending Dec. 31,1918, p. 23).

Reno (12,016); Truckee River; Truckee River General Electric Co., under management of Stone

& Webster (Inc.). Analyzed by Wayne B. Adams, University of Nevada, Aug. 21,1922. 

Tonopah (4,144); Water Co. of Tonopah; wells. Analyzed by S. C. Dinsmore, Nevada State Board 

-" - -- - -- - -- "antrol, Weights and Measures, and Soils

i.23).

NEW HAMPSHIRE.

Manchester (78,384); municipal; Lake Massabesic. Average of analyses by State Board of Health,

1902-1909. 

Nashua (28,379); Penniehuck Waterworks Co.; flowing wells. Average of analyses by State

Board of Health, 1902-1910.

NEW JERSEY.

Atlantic City (50,707); municipal; wells and impounding reservoirs. Analyzed by Dearborn Drug 

& Chemical Co., 1908.

Bayonne (76,754); East Jersey Water Co.; Passaic River at Little Falls; filtered. The East Jersey 

Water Co. also supplies BloomfieM, East Newark, Harrison, Kearny, Little Falls, and Nutley; 

total population supplied about 157,000. The filtration plant is operated by the Montclair Water 

Co. and furnishes water also to Acquackanonk Water Co., Montclair Water Co., and Passaic 

Water Co. Total population supplied by the 4 companies about 421,000. The East Jersey Water 

Co. distributes only filtered water. Analyzed in laboratory of Montclair Water Co., Little Falls, 

N. J., 1920. A. Filtered water. B, Unaltered water furnished for industrial use.

Camden (116.309); municipal; wells, 100 to 150 feet deep. Analyzed by Margaret D. Foster, TJ. S. 

Geological Survey, Mar. 24, 1922. Clifton (26,470); Acquackanonk Water Co.; Passaic River at Little Falls; filtered. Also supplies 

Passaic. ssaTotal population population supplied supplied abouto 90,000. (See Bayonne, analyses A.)

East JClOl; Orange Wle»lAg,Ci (50,710); (50,710); \tJ\/) t JL\tJ t municipal; municipal; UJ.UJ-UUJJk/<*i.) wells WDJ-lO 125 ±&V to til* 225 *i*nj feet J.CDV deep. UVUk'* Analysis of sample of tap water by

Margaret D. Foster, U. S. Geological Survey, Feb. 23,1922. llizabeth (9.r "" ' ' . - . - - 

Average of 

of Health.

maigaiBi, u. rusmi, u. o. ueuiugiuai ouivuy, rou. &a, ASM*.

162 Elizabeth (95,783); EUzabethtown Water Co.; also supplies Irvington (25,480); 12 different sources. 

Average of analyses of water from 6 sources used by Elizabethtown Water Co., by State Board
DESCRIPTIONS AND ANALYSES. 

larger cities of the United State* Continued.

45

Analyses (parts per million).

Avg.... 

Max....

Min....

Avg.... 

Max.... 

Min....

Avg.... 

Avg....

Avg. 

A- Max. 

Min. 

Avg. 

B- Max. 

Min.

Avg....

Total dissolved 

solids.

201 

255 

165 

o270

93

193

347

454 

663 

300

84

273

45 

45

a 38

88 

133 

53 

91 

136 

55

66

153 

267

u>

1

iJ

5.2

20

15

6.0

3.2 

67

Silica (SiOg).

8.3 

12 

5.2

8

24

36

31 

76 

10

15 

60

6.4

6.2

24

Iron (Fe).

62.7 

64.0 

6.6 

61.5

.4 

Tr.

.17

.44 

2.0 

Tr.

6.8 

.2

61.0

.3

.0

_4

.2

.06

.06 

.2

Calcium (Ca).

22 

32

IS 

71

16

37

62

65 

102 

45

13 

51

1.2 

(«)

(o)

8.3

29

Magnesium(Mg).

12 

19 

4.2 

4.3

3.8 

14

.{

20 

38 

7.9

 {

14

1.8

5.2

9.6

Sodium andpotassium (Na+ 

K).

26 

32

14 

o20

Tr.

a 2. 7

Na28 

K 6.4

49 

72 

34

Nail 

K 1.6

8

8.2

/Na 4. 6 

\K .7

/Na 5.0 

\K 1.2

Bicarbonate (HCO radicle ).S

*65 

U16 

»»41 

208

48 

137

| 259

203 

337 

146

| 68 

141

5.5

24

40 

10 

35 

50 

16

}»

\ 112 

100

radicle Sulphate 

(S0 ).4

77 

107 

55 

59

10 

33

53

168 

237 

81

5.6

38

5.6

19 

29 

11 

12 

19 

3

13

20

Chloride radicle 

(Cl).

10 

16 

6.5

4.8

2.8 

6.3

11

8.9 

15 

5.0

8.0 

16

2.0

2.0

11

4.7 

6.0 

3.3 

4.6 

6.0 

3.0

5.4

4.7 

8.8


 "3 

' $ .

Z^s 

o 3fc C3 ^-^ 

M

2

3.8 

5.8 

2.3

3.1

1.8 

5.5 

Tr.

11

1.7 

11 

.0 

2.2 

13 

.9

9.1

3.6

Total hardness 

CaCOs.o as 

<*104 

dl45 

<*80 

195

56 

150

221

244 

411 

155

36

185

<*6 

<*20

10

<*40

<*56 

<*26 

<*40 

<*56 

<*26

42

112 

dlOO

No.

147 

148

149 

150

151 

152

153

154

155 

156

157

158

159 

160 

161 

162

o Calculated.

* Iron and aluminum oxides (FesOa 

d Determined.

* Calculated from HCO3, 44.9, and COs, 9.7 parts.

' Calculated from HCOs, 98.8, and COS , 8.4 parts; maximum COs 16.

m Calculated from HCOs, 12.2, and CO3 ,14.4 parts; minimum COs 1.2.

« Single determination, Apr. 13,1921, 9.2 parts per million.

o Single determination, Apr. 13,1921, 9.0 parts per million.

22937 23 WSP 496 4
46 INDUSTRIAL UTILITY OF PUBLIC WATER SUPPLIES.

TABLE 6. Public water supplies of the

No Description.

163

164

165

166

167

168

170

171

172

173

174

175

176

177

178

179

181

182

183

184

185

186

NEW JERSEY continued. I

Hoboken (68,166); Hackensaek Water Co.; Hackensaek River; filtered. Supplies Guttenberg, 

Secaucus, Union, West Hoboken, West New York, North Bergen, and Weenawken (in Bergen 

County); Bergenfields, Bogota, Carlstadt, Cliffside, Closter, Cresskill, Delford, Demarest, Dumont, 

East Rutherford, Edgewater, Englewood, Englewood Cliffs, Fairview, Hackensaek, Hasbrouck 

Heights, Leonia, Little Ferry, Lodi, Maywood, Overpeek, Palisades Park, Palisades Township, 

Ridgefield. Riverside. Rutherford, Teaneck, Tenafly, Wallington, Westwood, and Woodridge; 

total population supplied about 256,000. On account of the large reservoir capacity and the comparatively small quantity of dissolved mineral matter, a single representative analysis is sufficient. 

Analyzed by G. R. Spalding, Hackensaek Water Co., New Milford, N. J., Apr. 19, 1921.

Irvington (25,480); supplied by Elizabethtown Water Co., Elizabeth, N. J. (See Elizabeth)......

Jersey City (298,103); municipal; impounding reservoir, Boonton, N. J. A, Analysis of water at 

Summit Avenue gate house by Margaret D. Foster, U. S. Geological Survey, Feb. 7, 1922. B, 

Average, maximum, and minimum analyses made in laboratory of City Bureau of Water on 

weekly samples for year 1921.

Zearney (26,724); supplied by East Jersey Water Co. (See Bayonne)..............................

Montclair (28,810); Montclair Water Co.; Passaic River at Little Falls; filtered. Also supplies Essex

County institutions; total population supplied about 32,000. (See Bayonne, analyses A.) 

New Brunswick (32,779); municipal; Lawrence Brook; filtered. Analyzed by Margaret D. Foster,

U. S. Geological Survey, Feb. 8, 1922. 

Newark (414,524); municipal; impounding reservoir. Analyses of monthly samples by Justus

Goslau, Bureau of Water, Newark, 1920.

Orange (33,268); municipal; Orange reservoir; Campbells Pond. Analyzed by State Board of Health. 

Passaic (63,841); Acquackanonk Water Co.; Passaic River at Little Falls; filtered. (See Bayonne,

analyses A.) 

Paterson (135,875); Passaic Water Co.; Passaic River at Little Falls; filtered; unfiltered water is also

supplied for industrial use. Prospect Park and Totowa are furnished with filtered water, making

the total population supplied about 142,000. (For analyses see Bayonne.) 

Perth Amboy (41,707); municipal; wells 80 feet deep at Runyon, N. J. Analyzed by Margaret D.

Foster, U. S. Geological Survey, Feb. 25, 1922. 

Plainfield (27,700); Union Water Co.; deep wells. Analyzed by State Board of Health............

Trenton (119,289); municipal; Delaware River; filtered. Analyses of Delaware River at Lambertville made by U. S. Geological Survey in 1906-7 (Water-Supply Paper 236, p. 60).

West Hoboken (40,074); supplied by Hackensaek Water Co., New Milford, N. J. (See Hoboken)..... 

West New York (29,928); supplied by Hackensaek Water Co., New Milford, N. J. (See Hoboken)..

NEW MEXICO.

Albuquerque (15,157); municipal; wells 60 to 700 feet deep. Most of the water is from the 75 to 80- 

foot level. Analyzed by John D. Clark, Jan. 28, 1922. 

Sa_nta Fe (7,236); Santa Fe Water & Lignt Co.; impounding reservoir on Santa Fe Creek. Analyzed by C. C." Young, University of Kansas, about 1917.

NEW YORK. 

180 Albany (113,344); municipal; Hudson River; slow sand filtration. Analyses of water from Hudson 

River at Hudson by U. S. Geological Survey in 1906-7 (Water-Supply Paper 236, p. 64).

Amsterdam (33,524); municipal; Hawes Creek; impounded. Average analysis by State Board of

Health. 

Auburn (36.192); municipal; Owasco Lake. The composition of the water is probably not very

different from that supplied at Rochester and Syracuse from similar lakes. Analysis by State

Board of Health. 

Binghamton (66,800); municipal; Susquehanna River (filtered), and small amounts of well water,

up to 10 per cent of total supply. The well waters are harder and contain more chloride than the

river water. Partial analyses at Binghamton indicate that the river water has practically the

same composition as at West Pittston, Pa. Average of analyses of water from Susquehanna

River at West Tittston by U. S. Geological Survey in 1906-7 (Water-Supply Paper 236, p. 102). 

Buffalo (506,775); municipal; Lake Erie. Average of analyses of water from Lake Erie by U. S.

Geological Survey in 1906-7 (Water-Supply Paper 236, p. 62). 

Elmira (45,393); municipal; storage reservoir furnishes 35 to 40 per cent of supply; remainder from

Chemung River, filtered. Average analysis from storage reservoir by State Board of Health. 

Jamestown (38,917); municipal; wells 100 to 130 feet deep. Analysis furnished by Department of

Water and Lighting, Sept. 20,1921.
DESCRIPTIONS A.ND ANALYSES. 

larger cities of the United States Continued.

47

Analyses (parts per million).

A......

[Avg. 

B^Max. 

|.Mm.

Avg.... 

Max.... 

Min....

Avg.... 

Max.... 

Min....

Avg.... 

Max... 

Min.... 

Avg....

Avg....

Avg....

Avg....

dissolved Total 

solids.

112

81

78 

105 

54

. 42

56 

70 

49 

110

38

275 

70 

109 

46

406 

o33

108 

135 

63 

64

136 

90

133

151

1 

§

iJ

37

3.5

31 

50 

13

4.0

17 

20 

15

44

2.9 

70

"si""

20 

37'

Silica (SiO ).2

1.9

6.5

4.7

1.7 

3.6 

1.0

5.2

9.0

22 

3.0

62 

9.6

11 

27 

4.2

10 

5.9

Iron(Fe).

*1.5

.08

.39

61.2 

62.0

6 1.0

.31 

.6

.07 

.20 

Tr.

61.5

.15 

.42 

.05

.12 

.07

.1

Calcium (Ca).

17

13

3.8

9.7 

15

7.1

2.3

12 

19

7.8

38 

5.6

21 

26 

15

18 

31

25

Magnesium(Mg).

5.4

5.6

2.0

2.6 

3.1 

2.1

1.9

3.3 

5.2 

1.0

20 

1.3

3.8 

5.8 

1.0

3.4 

7.6

7.5

Sodium andpo- tassium (Na+ 

K).

02.4

/Na 3. 6 

\K 1.0

/Na 2. 2 

\K .9

a.8

(Na 2. 2 

\K .5

5.4 

9.1 

3.0

53 

2. 2

7.9 

12 

4.6

6.3 

6.5

a9

Bicarbonate radicle (HCO )3.

37

| 40

29 

50

18

} 

22 

28 

14 

62

} ° 

144 

46 

72

28

240 

24

73 

95 

48 

23

122 

63

120 

89 

116

Sulphate radicle 

(S0 ).4

30

22

17

12 

19 

8.0

J>21

12 

19 

9.2

83

16 

23 

9.7

14

13

4.8

Chloride radicle

(Cl).

6.2

5.1 

5.1

7.4

3.6

3.0

2.0 

2.2 

2.0

7.5

1.5

8.5 

2.9 

5.4 

1.8

30 

2.0

4.0 

6.2 

1.2

.8

2 2

4.2

8.7 

3.6 

9.0

Nitrate radicle

(N0 ).3

1.1

1.1

.06 

.10 

.04

Tr.

1.1 

2.1 

.5

.13

.8 

2.1 

.0

1.5 

.3

hardness Total 

CaCOs .o3

65

55

d41 

d57 

d26

18

35 

50 

27 

d66

14

a-150 

44 

61 

24

177 

20

68 

89 

45 

d25

d!03 

59

109

d«80 

94

No.

163

164 

165

166 

167

168 

169

170 

171

172

173

174 

175

176

177

178 

179

180

181 

182

183

184 

185 

186

o Calculated.

& Iron and aluminum oxides (FejOj

d Determined.

p Includes free sulphuric acid (HjSCM, 3.0 parts per million.

e Average hardness of river water, 150 parts per million.
48 INDUSTRIAL UTILITY OF PUBLIC WATER SUPPLIES.

TABLE 6. Public water supplies of the

No. Description.

187

188

190

191

192

193

194

195

196

197

198

199

200

201

202

203

204

205

208

207

NEW YORK continued.

Kingston (26,688); municipal; mountain stream and impounding reservoirs; filtered. Average 

analysis by State Board of Health.

Mount Vernon (42,726); New York Interurban Water Co.; Mamaroneck River at Mamaroneck, 

with additional supply from Hutcliinson River. Also supplies town of Harrison, village of 

Mamaroneck, including Orientaand Rye Neck, town of Mamaroneck, outside of villages, village of 

Pelham, part of village of Rye; total population supplied about 55,500. Analyzed by State Board 

of Health, November, 1921.

New Rochelle (36,213); New Rochelle Water Co.; impounding reservoirs. Average of analyses, 

November, 1920, to September, 1921, by Pease Laboratories, New York.

New York (5,620,048); municipal. A, Croton reservoir, available-supply 395,000,000 gallons a day. 

B, Catskill reservoir, available supply 395,000,000 gallons a day. C, Ridgewood supply, 50,000,000 

gallons a day of surface water and 100,000,000 gaflons a day from wells and infiltration galleries. 

In addition about 20,000,000 gallons a day from the Bronx mixes with the Catskill supply in 

Kensico reservoir, and about 50,000,000 gallons a day can be obtained from wells of private water 

companies and from well systems not connected with the Ridgewood supply. The supplies from 

wells generally contain more mineral matter and are harder than the supplies for which analyses 

are given. Analyses A and B made by Margaret D. Foster, U. S. Geological Survey, Mar. 8,1921. 

C, Typical analysis made at Mount Prospect Laboratory, Brooklyn, before 1917.

Newburgh (30,366); municipal; reservoir. Analyzed by State Board of Health, June 3, 1921......

Niagara Falls (50,760); municipal; Niagara River. The chemical composition of the water is 

practically the same as that of Lake Erie at Buffalo. (See Buffalo.)

Poughkeepsie (35,000); municipal; Hudson. River; filtered. The chemical composition of the 

water is practically the same as that of Hudson River at Hudson. (See Albany.)

Rochester (295,750); municipal; Hemlock Lake. Analyzed by Margaret D. Foster, U. S. Geological Survey, June 14,1921.

Rome (26,341); muniaipal; Fish Creek. Analyzed by State Board of Health......................

Schenectady (88,723); municipal; infiltration galleries. Analyzed by State Board of Health.......

Syracuse (171,717); municipal; Skaneateles Lake. Analyzed by Margaret D. Poster, U. S. Geological Survey, June 14,1921.

Troy (72,013); municipal; reservoirs. Tombannock reservoir furnishes 11,500,000 gallons to "lower 

service" and 2,000,000 gallons to "middle service;*-' Grafton system of reservoirs furnishes 2,500,000 

gallons to "upper service." The drainage basins are continuous and adjacent. The analysis of 

water from the "lower service" may be taken to represent the average composition of water 

supplied in the city. Analyzed by J. M. Caird, Troy, Sept. 4,1919.

Utica (94,156); Consolidated Water Co. of Utica, N. Y.; West Canada Creek (about 80 per cent) and 

reservoirs in a southern drainage basin (about 20 per cent). A, West Canada Creek (Bacot 

reservoir, north supply). B, reservoir No. 4, southern basin. A and B analyzed by Margaret D. 

Foster, U. S. Geological Survey, May 8, 1922. C," Wes't Canada Creek. -D, Reservoir No. 4. C 

and D, averages of determinations of hardness for 1920-21, made at waterworks laboratory.

Watertown (31,285); municipal; Black River; filtered. Average analysis by State Board of Health. 

Yonkers (100,176); municipal; Nepperhan River; filtered, with about 10 per cent of unfiltered water 

from a reservoir. Analyzed by Dearborn Chemical Co., Chicago, 111., November, 1920.

NORTH CAROLINA.

Asheville (28,501); municipal; impounding reservoir. Analyzed by Margaret D. Foster, U. S. Geological Survey, Apr. 18, 1922.

Charlotte (46,338); municipal; Catawba River; filtered. Analyzed by Margaret D. Foster, U. S. 

Geological Survey; Apr. 3,1922.

Wilmington (33,372); municipal; Cape Fear River; filtered. At times of low water the river is 

contaminated with sea water, which has sometimes made the supply unsatisfactory. The average of analyses made in 1906-7 by the U. S. Geological Survey (Water-Supply Paper 236, p. 52) 

may be taken to represent the river water when not contaminated with sea water.

Winston-Salem (48,395); municipal; Salem Creek; impounded; filtered. Average determinations 

of bicarbonate and chloride indicate that the water is like the supply of Wilmington. (See Wilmington.)

NORTH DAKOTA.

Fargo (21,961); municipal; Red River; filtered; softened. A, Analysis of unfiltered water by H, B. 

Riffenburg, U. S. Geological Survey, June 25,1921. 'B, Analyses of filtered water, which represent 

about the average, maximum, and minimum contents of dissolved solids over a period of several 

years; analyzed by Roberts Hulbert, North Dakota Agricultural Colle'ge.

Grand Forks (14,010); municipal; Red Lake River; filtered. Analyzed by A. E. McCoy, State 

Public Health Laboratories, Dee. 29,1920.
DESCBIPHONS AND ANALYSES.

larger cities of the United States Continued.

49

Analyses ''parts per million \

Avg....

A v«r

A......

B......

C......

A......

B......

C......

D......

Avg....

Avg....

A......

fAvg. 

B^Max.. 

iMin..

dissolved Total 

solids.

41 

166

65

69 

28 

131

91

80 

180

124

75

50

78

88 

ol82

19

57 

57

361

ol88 

o294 

o87 226'

ignition. Loss on

13 

106

3.1 

2.5 

17

4.9

20 

20

7.7 

30

4.5 

5.5

12

2.7 

1.9

7.2 

"58""

Silica (SiO ).2

9.6 

2.6 

13

1.9

1.5 

3.8

5.2 

3-6

6.4

7.8 

8.4 

9.9

20 

20 

30 

12

(Fe). Iron 

0.4

.4

.05 

.04

.7

.20 

.1

.24 

.20

.26 

.11

r.2

r.3

.05 

.09

.78

Tr.

61.5 

"2.5 

6.5 

Tr.

Calcium (Ca).

12 

4.5 

11

20

33

11

8.8 

15

22

.8 

11 

5.0

50 

16 

18 

7.6 

35

Magnesium(Mg).

4.4 

1.2 

4.3

5.2

6.1 

1.3

2.2 

5.4

12

.6 

2.2 

1.5

34 

27 

40 

15 

10

Sodium andpotassium (Na+ 

K).

/Na 1.7 

\K 1.2 

INa 1.1 

\K .6 

(Nail 

\K 2.7

/Na 3.0 

\K 1.1

/Na 1.7 

\K .8

3.6

i

Na 1.3 

K .2 

Na 1.7 

K .6

25

/Na 1.8 

\K .5 

/Na 2.0 

\K .8

7.2

o21 

6.5 

23 

1 

7.0

Bicarbonate 

radicle(HCOs).

4

}«

1" 

} '"

55

} 67

154 

} 113

30

> 

}«

21 

130

} ' 

}»

25 

r24

261 

»134 

t219 

u9l 

118

Sulphate radicle 

(S0 ).4

11

7.7 

12

18

13

8.2

11 

23

26

1.7 

23 

3.2

83 

45 

60 

4 

38

Chloride radicle 

(Cl).

1.2

16

8.6 

2.6 

1.0 

13

2.4

2.0 

3.8

3.4

1.5 

2.0

.7 

1.2

2.0

14

.7 

1.5

5.8

r3

6.0 

6 

12 

3 

5.0

 o

Ix* « re 

0

-gfc OS -

tH

2

0.88 

.49 

4.3

.38

.96 

1.3

1.0 

1.1

7.7

Tr. 

.43 

.2

1.6 

0 

0 

0

Total hardness 

CaCOs.os 

<*14 

<*45

<J34 

48 

16 

45

<*47

71

(238 

d!31

108 

33

31

60

<*44 

c*76 

<*46 

104

4 

37 

19

264 

<*150 

<*210

aso

128

No.

187 

188

189 

190

191

192

193

194

195 

196

197 

198

199

200 

201

202 

203 

204

205

20ft 

207

o Calculated.

6 Iron and aluminum oxides (Fe

<i Determined.

r Average of determinations at waterworks.

i Includes equivalent of 24 par ts per million of C Oj. 

< Includes equivalent of 42partspermillionofCOj. 

« Includes equivalent of 12 parts per million of CO j
50 INDUSTRIAL, UTILITY OF PUBLIC WATER SUPPLIES.

TABLE 6. Public water supplies of the

No.

208

209

210

211

212

213

214

215

216

217

218

219

220

221

222

223

224

225

226

227

228

229

230

231

Description.

Akron (208,435); municipal: Cuyahoga River; filtered. Average of analyses of composite samples 

by Akron Waterworks laboratory, 1921.

Canton (87.091); municipal; 3 groups of wells. A, 62 wells, 80 to 100 feet deep, in gravel in the valley 

of Nimisnillen Creek in the western part of the city; B, 2 drilled wells, 335 feet deep, in sandstone 

in the northeast section of the city; C, about 20 wells, 150 feet deep, in gravel outside the city 

limits northeast of the city. A, Average of 14 analyses from May 9, 1907, to March 21, 1918. B, 

Average of 3 analyses June 10 to June 15, 1916. C, Average of 3 analyses May 10, 1917. All 

analyses by the State Board of Health.

Cincinnati (401,247); municipal; Ohio River; filtered. Analyses for a year of composite monthly 

samples of filtered water (annual report of Cincinnati Waterworks, 1917-18, p. 73).

Cleveland (796,841); municipal; l*ke Erie; filtered. Also sunpiieg,Past .Cleveland, Lakewood, and

a number of other communities; total population supplied about 925,000. 'Average of analyses

of monthly composites made in Cleveland Waterworks laboratory, 1921. 

Columbus (237,031); Scioto River impounded; filtered and partly softened. A, Average, maximum,

and minimum of determinations made in 1920. B. Analysis of softened water made in 1921.

Analyzed by C. P. Hoover, Water Softening & Purification Works, Columbus.

Dayton (152,559); municipal; wells about 60 feet deep. Analyzed by Margaret D. Foster, TJ. S. Geological Survey, Aug. 21, 1922.

East Cleveland (27,292); supplied by Cleveland. (See Cleveland)..................................

Hamilton (39,675); municipal; wells 100 feet deep. Analyzed by C. W. Foulk, Ohio State University, April, 1915.

Lakewood (41,732); municipal; obtains supply from Cleveland. (See Cleveland)................

Lima (41,323); municipal; Ottawa River; impounded; filtered. Average, maximum, and minimum 

results of analyses of monthly composite samples of filtered water by Lima Waterworks laboratory, 1921.

Lorain (37,295); municipal; Lake Erie; filtered. Determinations of alkalinity made at the filtration 

plant from 1917 to 1921 indicate that the composition of the water is not very different from that 

at Cleveland. (For analyses see Cleveland.)

Mansfield (27,824); municipal; wells, 160 to 180 feet deep. Analyzed by C. W. Foulk, Ohio State 

University, 1915.

Marion (27,891); Marion Water Co.; wells about 135 feet deep. Analyzed by C. W. Foulk, Ohio 

State University, 1915.

Newark; (28,718); municipal; Licking River; filtered. Analyzed by State Board of Health, Jan. 26, 

1920.

Portsmouth (33,011); municipal; Ohio River; filtered. The composition of the filtered water is 

not very different from that of the water at Cincinnati. (See Cincinnati.)

Springfield (60,840); municipal; wells 30 feet in diameter and 22 feet deep. Analyzed by C. W. Foulk, 

Ohio State University, 1915.

Steubenville (28,508); municipal; Ohio River; filtered. Partial analyses made at the filtration 

plant indicate that the composition of the water is practically the same as at Cincinnati. (For 

analysis see Cincinnati.)

Toledo (243,164); municipal; Maumee River; filtered. Treated regularly with iron sulphate and 

lime, but part of the time with alum. Analyses from annual report of Water Department of 

Public Service, Toledo, 1921.

Warren (27,050); municipal; Mahoning River; filtered. Analyzed by P. J. O'Connor, Warren 

Waterworks, Oct. 4,1921.

Youngstown (132,358); municipal; Mahoning River; filtered. Analysis of filtered water by William 

I. Van Arnum, 1921.

Zanesville (29,569); municipal; wells about 100 feet deep in gravel. Analyzed by Margaret D. 

Foster, U. S. Geological Survey, Apr. 25,1922.

OKLAHOMA.

Muskogee (30,277); municipal; Grand River; treated with iron sulphate and lime, not nitered.

Single analysis by Orlin D. Home, State Board of Health, Oct. 21,1921. 

Oklahoma City (91,295); municipal; North Canadian River; filtered. Analyzed by Orlin D. Home,

State Board of Health,:Oct 22,1921. Tulsa (72,075); municipal; Arkansas River; filtered. Analyses of water from Arkansas River at

Arkansas City, Kans., by University of Kansas.
DESCRIPTIONS AND ANALYSES. 

larger* cities of the. United States Continued.

51

Analyses (parts per million).

A......

B......

C......

Max...

Min....

fAvg. 

AJMax.

B...1!!".

.........

Avg.... 

Max.... 

Min....

.........

Avg.... 

Max.... 

Min....

.Avg.... 

Max.... 

Min....

Total dissolved 

solids.

133

381 

307 

331

159

220 

434

o386

347 

426 

296

0342 

0811

285

0362

332 

404 

266 

250

239 

453

205

786

990 

1,309 

662

Loss ignition on 

51 

76 

84

88 

17

2.2 

2.6 

1.6

40

......

"2.8 

31 

11

......

Silica ).(SiOs

Iron (Fe).

0.04 

.4

.17

.2

.03 

.08 

.00 

.07

......I------

10

14

7 

15 

4

16

84

20

"5"" 

5.2

12

2Q

31

84 

14

Tr.

.09

y.S

.19 

1.2 

.06

.4 

1 

.2

.36

.11 

.28 

.05

6.2

.07 

.37

Tr. 

67.2

1.6 

12 

.05

Calcium (Ca).

23

33

44 

24 

35

19 

92

85

72 

82 

58

70 

168

79

66 

84 

41 

24

49

89

48 

135

95 

128

64

Magnesium(Mg).

5.8

3.7 

7.0

.5 

8.4

10

27

3

9 

34

29

20 

24 

16

23 

47

29

12 

26 

1.5 

19

4.1

5.8 

48

24 

40 

7.2

Sodium andpo- tassium (Na+ 

K).

oil

o 13

o 1.4 

«5.6

o!6 

/Na 8.2 

\K 1.4

23

o 3.9

16 

43

5.5

29

Na 27 

K 2.4

o29 

058

243 

396 

162

Bicarbonate radicle (HCO,).

66

300 

246 

260

42 

52 

32 

113

65 

212 

37 

53

} 339

348

145 

127

293 

384 

213

289

163 

217 

77 

73

oo28

^ 186

140 

330

253 

310 

172

Sulphate radicle

(S0<).

44

62 

95 

45 

25

64

84

54

115 

142

87

57 

270

74

128

.28

32 

138

193 

415

57

Chloride radicle

(Cl).

4.3

13 

9.3

6.0

19

31 

7 

11

6 

9.6

8

29 

53

18

10

8 

6.0

6

16 

42 

4.0 

6.1

50

42 

175

292 

440 

125

Nitrate radicle 

(NO,).

13

1

6 

.9 

2.1

5.6

8.9 

13 

.2

.93

1.8 

6.0 

.5

Total hardness 

CaCO as .a3

81

d»306 

a" to 263

97 

13*

72 

122

<J109 

d 210

<*90 

369

331

<*271 

<J226

269 

613 

<*205

316

138 

139

296

144 

534

336 

472

23S

No.

208 

209

210 

211 

212

213

214 

215

216 

217

218

219 

220 

221 

222 

223 

224

225

226 

227

228

229 

230 

231

a Calculated.

6 Iron and aluminum oxides (FesO3 +AliOsJ.

<J Determined.

f Incrustants as CaCO., 60 parts per million.

w Incrustants as CaCO3, 61 parts per million.

x lacrustants as CaCOj 13 parts per million.

v Average of 17 determinations by State Board of Health, Oct. 28,1910, to Jan. 19,1921.

z Incrustants as CaCOs ; average 83, maximum 111. minimum 24 parts per million.

<"> Includes equivalent of 6.6 parts per million of CO».
52 INDUSTRIAL UTILITY OF PUBLIC WATER SUPPLIES.

TABLE 6. Public water supplies of the

No. Description.

232

233

234

235

236

237

238

239

240

241

242

243

244

245

246

Portland (258,288); municipal; Bull Run River and Lake. Analyses of water from Bull Run River

near Bull Run, by WaltonVanWinkle,U. S. Geological Survey, in 1911-12 (Water-Supply Paper

363, p.86). 

Salem (17,679); Salem Water, Light & Power Co.; infiltration galleries near Willamette River.

Average of analyses of water from Willamette River at Salem, by Walton Van Winkle, U. S.

Geological Survey, in 1911-12 (Water-Supply Paper 363, p. 90).

PENNSYLVANIA.

AUentown (73,502); municipal; springs. Analyzed by Margaret D. Foster, U. S. Geological Survey, 

Apr. 27,1922.

Altoona (60,331); municipal; impounding reservoirs (4 sources). Sample from a domestic tap. 

Analyzed by Margaret D. Foster, U. S. Geological Survey, Apr. 22,1922.

Bethlehem (50,358); municipal; Lehigh River; filtered. Analyses of Lehigh River at South Bethlehem by U. S. Geological Survey in 1906-7 (Water-Supply Paper 236, p. 70).

Chester (58,030); New Chester Water Co.; Delaware River; filtered. Also supplies Nether Providence, Aston, Upper Chichester, Lower Chichester, Edgemont, Marcus Hook, Parkside, Liawood, Trainer, and Upland; total population supplied about 77,000. The composition of the 

water is practically the same as that of the Delaware River supply of Philadelphia. (See Philadelphia, analyses A and B.)

Easton (33.813); Lehigh Water Co.; Delaware River above mouth of Lehigh River and of BusbJtill 

Creek; filtered. Also supplies Phillipsburg, N. J.; total population supplied about 51,000. The 

water is like the Delaware River supply of Philadelphia but contains slightly less mineral matter. 

(See Philadelphia analysis A.)

Erie (93,372); municipal; Lake Erie; filtered. Analysis furnished by Erie Water Department, 

1921.

Harrisburg (75,917); municipal; Susquehanna River; filtered. Analyzed by Margaret D. Foster, 

U. S. Geological Survey, Apr. 20,1922.

Hazleton (32,377); Wyoming Valley Water Supply Co.; impounded streams and springs. The 

partial analyses of samples from the other sources indicate that the water is practically the same 

as from Dreck Creek.

Source.

A, Dreck Creek.....................................

C, Barnes Run and Wolff's Run. ...................

Per cent 

of total 

supply.

55

4

25

16

Sample 

collected 

(1922).

May 9

...do....

June 14

...do....

Analyst.

Margaret D. Foster,

U. S. Geological 

Survey. 

Do.

C. S. Howard, U. S.

Geological Survey. 

Do.

Johnstown (67,327); Johnstown Water Co.; mountain streams impounded. The mineral content 

of the water from all the streams is so low that the exact composition is not important. The 

analyses show the general range of values for certain constituents. Analyzed by Johnstown 

Water Co., October, 1921.

Lancaster (53,150); municipal; creek and well; filtered. Analyzed by J. E. Goodell, Lancaster, 

Aug. 11,1921.

McKeesport (46,781); municipal; Monongahela River; filtered. The variations in the river water 

are largely in sulphate and calcium. The river water is at times acid. The alkalinity of the 

filtered water is kept fairly Uniform, and the hardness is more uniform than in the river water. 

A, Representative sample of city water supply, analyzed by E. C. Trax, filtration plant, McKeesport. B, Analyzed by E. C. Trax, 1921.

New Castle (44,938); New Castle Water Co. (controlled by American Waterworks & Electric Co., 

SO Bro<jd Street, New York, N. Y.); Shenango River; filtered. Analyzed by Margaret D. Foster, 

U. S. Geological Survey, Apr. 28,1922.

Norristown (42,319): Norristown Insurance & Water Co.; Schuylkill River; filtered. The .composition of the water is practically the same as that of the Schuylkill River supply of Philadelphia. 

(See Philadelphia, analyses C and D.)
DESCRIPTIONS AND ANALYSES. 

larger cities of the United States Continued.

53

/ 

Analyses (parts per million).

Avg.... 

Max.... 

Min.... 

Avg....

Avg.... 

Max 

Min....

A......

B......

C......

D......

Max....

Min....

A......

[Avg. 

BJMax.

(Min.

dissolved Total

solids.

30 

45 

21 

51

236

87

95 

147

48

176

58

18

22 

17 

21

94

70

221 

197

136

ignition. Loss on

12 

13

3.6

2.0 

2.8 

4.4 

4.4

123 

7.0

5.8

(SiO Silica ).s

9.0 

16 

4.1 

15

9.4

5.1

as

17 

3.0

3.5 

1.7

1.2

6.7

3.8

Iron (Fe).

0.03 

.11 

Tr. 

.10

.04

.47

.10 

.5 

.04

.05 

.05

Tr.

Tr.

61.5 

.1

.17

Calcium (Ca).

2.7 

6.1 

1.7 

5.3

44

8.4

14 

24 

7.6

33 

10 

1.7

43 

35

27

M agnesium(Mg).

0.53 

1.7 

.04 

1.4

" J 

"{

5.7 

11 

1.6

9.5 

3.5 / 

.8|

» {

5.2

"(

Sodium andpotassium (Na+ 

K).

3.5 

6.4 

LS 

4.4

Na 11 

K 2.6 

Na .7 

K .6

7.5 

15 

3.9

18

Na 1.6 

K .7 

Na .9 

K .2

Na 8.4 

K 3.8 

021

Na 4.2 

K 1.5

Bicarbonate (HCO radicle ).S

12 

20 

S.1 

26

} 193

} »

40

78 

17

120 !",

3.2

2.4

5.5

| o264

28

90

40 

15

| 32

Sulphate radicle

(SO-4).

3.1 

5.8 

1.1 

3.7

14 

6*52

30 

44 

15

40 

29 

6.3

. Tr. 

Tr.

3.6 

104

65

Chloride radicle

(Cl).

1.3 

3.5 

.25 

1.9

18 

2.4

4.9

8.4 

2.2

13

1.8

.8

10 

4

6,0 

9.0

5.1

p2

M o

<o+r |S 

3

0.31 

1.1 

Tr. 

.36

17 

Tr.

2.2 

6.9 

.0

1.0 

Tr.

1.4

hardness Tota 

CaCO .os 3

9 

22 

6 

19

188 

38

58 

105 

26

121 

39

8 

411

dll ag.2

206

110 

d77 

t«109 

d42

93

No.

232 

233

234 

235 

236

237

238

239 

240 

241

242

243 

244

245 

246

» Calculated.

* Iron and aluminum oxides (Fe»Oj+Al2O»).

<* Determined.

&* Includes free sulphuric acid (Hi8O4), 21 parts per million.
54 INDUSTRIAL UTILITY OF PUBLIC WATER SUPPLIES.

TABLE 6. Public uwtter-supplies of the

No. Description.

247

248

249

250

251

'252

253

254

255

256

257

253

259

260

261

263

264

PENNSYLVANIA continued.

Philadelphia (1,823,779); municipal; Delaware River and Schuylkill River; filtered, generally without coagulation. The Torresdale plant, with a capacity of 200,000,000 gallons a day, filters Delaware River water. Four plants with capacities of 70, 60, 15, and 10 million gallons a day filter 

Schuylkill River water. A, Delaware River at Lambertville, N. J.; analyzed by U. S. Geological 

Survey in 1906-7 (Water-Supply Paper 236, p. 60). B, Delaware River, final filter effluent Torresdale filters; analyzed by city waterworks in 1920. C, Schuylkill River; analyzed by C. S. Howard, 

U. S. Geological Survey, July 19, 1920. D, Schuylkill River, effluent from filters; analyzed by 

city waterworks in 1920.

Pittsburgh (588,343); municipal; Allegheny River; filtered without coagulation. Analyses of weekly 

composite samples by. Pittsburgh Waterworks laboratory, 1920.

Reading (107,784); municipal; creeks and springs. Analyses of samples from.5 sources, by I. Carroll 

Regari, Reading Waterworks, 1920.

Scranton (137,783); Scranton Gas & Water Co.; impounding reservoirs. About 10 per cent of the 

supply is filtered. Sample from Scranton Gas & Water Co. reservoir No. 7, which furnishes about 

60 per cent of the total supply. Three other sources are lower in mineral matter, and a fourth is 

somewhat higher. Analyzed by C. S. Howard, U. S. Geological Survey, June 3,1922. Wilkes-Barre (73,833); Spring Brook Water Supply Co.; impounded streams. Part of the water is 

.filtered. Sample from Spring Brook intake. Analyzed by Margaret D. Foster, U. S. Geological 

Survey, May 2, 1922.

Williamsport (36,198); Williamsport Water Co.; impounding reservoir on Mosquito Creek and Higgermans Run. An auxiliary supply from wells is occasionally drawn upon. Sample from Mosquito Creek. Analyzed by Margaret D. Foster, U. S. Geological Survey, Apr. 25, 1922.

York (47,512); York Water Co.; South Branch of Codorus Creek; impounded storage reservoir; filtered. Analyzed by Margaret D. Foster, U. S. Geological Survey, Apr. 25,1922.

RHODE ISLAND.

Cranston (29,407); supplied by Providence. (See Providence)...................................-.

Newport (30,255); Newport Water Co.; filtered; reservoirs impounding brooks; supplies part of 

Middletown. Average analysis by State Board of Health, 1920.

Pawtucket (64,248); municipal; Abbott Run and impounding reservoir; supplies Central Falls, 

Watchemoket fire district in town of East Providence, villages of Ashton, Berkeley, Lonsdale, 

and Valley Falls in the town of Cumberland, and a small part of the town of North Providence; 

total population supplied, about 100,000. Average analysis by g|tate Board of Health, 192Q.

Providence (237,695); municipal; Pawtuxet River; filtered without coagulation. Supplies Cranston, portions of the Lakewood. Lincoln Park, and Pawtuxet districts in the town of Warwick, 

Manton and Thorton districts in the town of Johnston, and Allendale, Centerdale, and Lymansville districts in the town of North Providence; total population supplied, about 295,000. Analyzed by J. W. Bugbee, city chemist, 1921. Woonsocket (43,496); municipal; impounding reservoirs on Crook Fall Brook; supplies Union Village and Waterford in the town of North Smithfield, ManvUle in towns of Cumberland and Lincoln, and Blackstone and Bellingham in Massachusetts; total population supplied, about 50,000. 

Average analysis by State Board of Health, 1920.

SOUTH CAROLINA.

Charleston (67,957); municipal; impounding reservoir on Goose Creek; filtered. Analyzed in

Parker Laboratory, Charleston, S. C., Oct. 7,1920. 

Columbia (37,524); municipal; Congaree River at the junction of Broad and Saluda rivers; filtered.

Except for silica, which is probably not much over 5 parts per million, the chemical character of

the filtered water is indicated by the analyses of water from Saluda River near Columbia by

U. S. Geological Survey hi 1906-7 (Water-Supply Paper 236, p. 98).

SOUTH DAKOTA.

Aberdeen (14,537>; municipal; artesian wells, U200 to 1,400 feet deep. Analyzed by J. A. Montgomery, Borromite Co. of America, Chicago, 111., June 6,1921.

Sioux .Falls (25,2102); municipal; wells, 40'vleet deep.* Analysis furnished by Sioux .Falls Water 

Department, May 11,1919.

TENNESSEE.

Chattanooga (57,895); City Water Co. (controlled by American Waterworks & Electric Co., 50 Broad 

Street, New York, N. Y.); Tennessee River; filtered. Analyses of composites of daily samples 

from Tennessee River at Knoxville made hi 1906-7 indicate that the composition of the water 

throughout - ""- '" the year is fairly constant. Analysis of filtered water at Chattanooga by Margaret D. 7, May 22,1922.

'ennessee River; filtered. Analysis of filtered water by Earle G.

Foster, U. S. Geological Survey 

Knoxvffle (77,818); municipal; Tennessee ve e McConnell, Knoxville Water Department, July 8,1922.
DESCRIPTIONS AND ANALYSES. 

larger cities of the United States Continued.

55

Analyses (parts per million).

A......

(Avg. 

B^Max. rw

(Avg. 

D^Max. 

IMin. 

Avg.... 

Max.... 

Min....

Max..:.

Min....

Avg.... 

Avg....

Avg... 

Max... 

Min...

dissolved Total 

solids.

70 

76 

118 

47 

201 

168 

248 

105 

148 

243 

70

42

28 

19 

50

88 

46

55 

38

72

62 

80

48

2,192 

346

76 

109

ignition. Loss on

13

2.7

2.6 

1.9 

5.5

29 

19

21 

17

20

2.7 

43

(SiOs). Silica 

9.0

8.0

8.2 

13 

3.1

2.9

2.9 

5.2 

6.0

5.2

4.0

21 

32 

15

16

7.3 

10

(Fe). Iron 

0.07 

.04

.18

.00

.33

.2 

.6 

.1

.13

.06 

.03 

.18

1.1

.20

.38 

1.0 

.10

.6*

Tr. 

1.1

(Ca). Calcium 

12

24

28 

48 

10

6.8

4.3 

2.3 

6.8

2.9

12

8.4 

12 

3.9

216

17 

13

Magnesium(Mg).

3.3

12

4.8 

9.5 

2.7

1.0

1.3 

1.1 

3.2

.3

1.0

1.3 

2.8 

Tr.

57

3.3 

3.6

and Sodium potassium (Na+ 

K).

5.4

19

8.5 

22 

2.6

5.0

/Na 1. 1 

\K .*

/Na 1.2 

K .6

f Na 2. 0 

\K 1.0

/Na 1.0 

\K 1.0 

«5.2 

10 

1.0

405

o41

8.4

Bicarbonate (HCOg). radicle 

46 

32 

48 

6 

56 

53 

85 

20 

27 

30 

9.7 

42 

75 

9 

18

7.1 

9.3 

 15

22 

17

12

}*

33 

44 

24

163 

310

57 

29

radicle Sulphate 

(SO,).

12 

17 

29 

11 

87 

68 

124 

29 

60 

115 

25

13

in

3.3 

11

16

20

5.0 

10 

Tr.

1,310

11 

21

radicle Chloride 

(Cl).

2.9 

4.0 

5.5 

2.3 

11 

6.6 

11 2.8' 

13 

23 

5. 

2.6

3.1

2.0

1.8

.7 

.7 

4.0

15 

3.5

6.0 

3.0

9.0

3.5 

5.0 

1.0

96 

5.0

4.4 

14

a> 

73

*o

ISt*

2

1.1

2.1 

3.8

.4 

.80

.8 

1.3 

.3

.35

Tr.

.54 

5.3

.0

.43

.8 

.1

.56

Total hardness 

CaCO .os 3

44 

<«34 

<*48 

<*23 

109 

<Z99 

d!44 

<*49 

<?66 

<*120 

<Z29 

d 39 

<Z65 

<*12 

21

16 

10 

30

<*28 

d20

8 

dlO

34

26 

40 

10

770 

</349

56 

47

No.

247

248 

( 249 

250

251 

252 

253

254 

255

256 

257

25S

259 

260

261 

262

263 

264

a Calculated. a Determined.
56 INDUSTRIAL, UTILITY OF PUBLIC WATER SUPPLIES.

TABLE 6. Public water supplies of the

Description.

TENNESSEE c ontinued.

Memphis (162,351); municipal; wells, 400 to 475 feet deep. Analyzed by W. F. Monfort, St. Louis, 

Mo. A, Auction Avenue wells, Dec. 22, 1921. B, Central Avenue well No. 193, Dec. 22, 1921. 

C, Well No. 194, Dunlap site, Jan. 31,1922.

Nashville (118,342); municipal; Cumberland River. Clarified with aluminum sulphate, not filtered. Analyses of water from Cumberland River near Nashville by U. S. Geological Survey in 

190&-7 (Water-Supply Paper 236, p. 57).

TEXAS.

Austin (34,876); municipal; infiltration galleries near Colorado River. Analyzed by E. P. Schoch, 

University of Texas, Dec. 18,1919.

Beaumont (40,422); municipal; Neches River 10 miles above the city; filtered. The quantities of 

sodium and chloride may vary 50 per cent either way from the quantities given in the analysis. 

The bicarbonate ranges from 4 to 30 parts per million. Analysis furnished by the city Department 

of Public Welfare.

Dallas (158,976); municipal; impounding reservoir; filtered. Analysis made at .city water-purification plant under direction of Helman Rosenthal, 1922.

El Paso (77,560); municipal; wells. Analyses by F. C. Lamb, city chemist........................

Source. Depth 

(feet).

Yield 

(million 

gallons 

per day).

Date of. 

collection.

A, Mesa wells..........

B, Montana Street well. 

C, Grama Street well...

600-900 

860 

950

4.5

2.1 

1.5

Aug. 25,1920

Do. 

Jan. 14,1921

Fort Worth (106,482); municipal; Lake Worth: filtered. Analyzed by Fort Worth Laboratories, 

May 21, 1919.

Galveston (44,255); municipal; wells about 800 feet deep. Analyzed by Felix Paquin, Water and 

Sewer departments, Galveston.

Houston (138,276); municipal; deep wells. Analyzed by P. S. Tilson, of Houston Laboratories, 

Nov. 17,1920.

San Antonio (161,379); San Antonio Water Supply Co.; wells 880 feet deep. Analyzed by J. R. 

Bailey, University of Texas, Apr. 29.1911.

Waco\(38,500); municipal; artesian wells; Brazos River; filtered. A, Sample from 2,050-foot artesian Well, analyzed by Margaret D. Foster, U. £-. Geological Survey,'Nov. 29.1921. B, Analyses 

of wa\er from Brazos River at Waco made by U. S. Geological Survey in 1906-7 (Water-Supply 

Paper>236, p. 50).

Wichita Falls (40,079); Wichita Falls Water Co.; Lake Wichita (artificial). Analyzed by W. M. 

Barr, U. S. Geological Survey, Oct. 1,1906 (Water-Supply Paper 317, p. 54).

XTTAH.

Ogden (32,804); municipal; impounded surface waters and artesian wells. Analyzed by Margaret 

D. Foster, U. S. Geological Survey, Apr. 22, 1922. A, Sample from Cold Water Canyon. B, 

Sample from artesian wells.

Salt Lake City (118,110); municipal; creeks and springs. Analyses furnished by city waterworks, 

August, 1921. A, Big Cottonwood Canyon (furnishes 14 per cent of total supply). B, Parleys 

Canyon (furnishes 30 per cent). C, City Creek (furnishes 25 per cent). D, Emigration Springs 

(furnishes 1 per cent).

VERMONT.

Burlington (22,779); municipal; Lake Champlain; filtered. Average of five concordant analyses 

of samples from the lake. Analyzed by W. M. Barr, U.S. Geological Survey, 1904 (Water-Supply 

Paper 121, p. 20).

Rutland (14,954); municipal; mountain streams impounded. Analyzed by C. S. Howard, U. S. 

Geological Survey, May 25, 1922.

VIRGINIA.

Lynchburg (30,070); municipal; Pedlar River; filtered. Analysis furnished by city waterworks, 

Dec. 9, 1921.

Newport News (35,596); Newport News Light & Water Co.; reservoir; filtered. Analyzed by Margaret D. Foster, U. S. Geological Survey, Mar. 27,1922.

Norfolk (115,777); municipal; reservoirs; filtered. Analyzed by Froehling & Robertson, Richmond, Va., July, 1919.

Petersburg (31,012)- municipal; Appomattox River; filtered. A few individual determinations 

indicate that the filtered water is similar to the supply at Richmond. (See Richmond.)
DESCRIPTIONS AND ANALYSES. 

larger cities of the United States Continued.

57

Analyses (parts per million).

A......

B......

C......

Avg.... 

Max.... 

Min....

A......

B......

C......

A......

fA-vg. 

B^Max. 

(Min.

A......

B......

A......

B......

C.......

D......

Avg....

.........

dissolved Total 

solids.

100

84

78

119

150

87

432 

234

248

400 

557 

378

170 

719 

a 356

a 252

694

1,136 

1.848 

420

a 139

143

161

180 

387 

216 

625

67 

42

a 32

108 

a 122

ignition. Loss on

32 

5.8

37 

35 

30

34

4.2

3.7

4.5

23 

60

14 

62

22 

1.8

5.2

Silica (Si0 ).2

8.3 

9.0 

11 

20 

33 

5.2

6.4

15

32 

29 

32

10 

30

17 

15

20

22 

65 

9.6

8.3

17

7.5 

11 

9.3 

16

3.8 

2.5

6.1

4.0 

12

(Fe). Iron 

1.5 

.2 

1.1 

.42 

4.0 

Tr.

.07 

.5

66

61.0 

6.7 

.07

.18

.26 

1.1 

Tr.

.07 

.03

61.9 

62.1 

61.3 

63.1

61.1 

.06

61.2

.12 

63.0

Calcium (Ca).

14 

8.4 

8.6 

26 

36 

17

92 

14

31

47 

37 

20

41 

18 

29 

61

6.0

121 

218 

60

18

31

29

26 

51 

42 

68

14 

8.4

4.4

27 

9.3

Magnesinm(Mg).

6.5 

4.0 

4.0 

3.6 

7.6 

.9

24 

3.3

1

20 

14 

8.6

1.1 

4.9 

6.6

u{14 19 

30 

6.3

15

»{

8.9J

14

28 

16 

35

2.9 

2.4

2.1

2.8| 

4.l{

Sodium andpo- tassium (Na+ 

K).

15 

12 

10 

9.6 

16 

2.9

ol3 

53

57

49 

134 

63

15 

163

94

Na 9.5 

K 1.0 

Na237 

K 12 

234 

376 

69

14

Na 7.8 

K 1.3 

Na 16 

K 1.8 

7 

21 

9 

66

6.1

2.8

01.7

Na 4.2 

K .5 

Na 21 

K 3.1

Bicarbonate radicle (HCO ).3

104 

68 

78 

92 

118 

73

293

8

61

201 

156 

140

64 

79 

269 

} 240

} cc437

158 

242 

98

60

\ 145

] 127

«98 

a!92 

a 190 

al82

57 

34

15 

\ 56 

} »

Sulphate radicle 

(800.

0 

.9 

0 

14 

20 

9.7

89 

31

100

57 

43 

. 39

24

27 

13

138

279 

555 

84

20

11

9.1

43 

94 

18 

255

7-4 

7.0

5.8

29 

31

Chloride radicle

(Cl):

7..0 

6.0 

4.0 

2.1 

4.8 

1.0

36

89

20

59 

189 

46

19 

260 

40 

16

51

338 

575 

119

22

4.7

17 

10 

25 

12 

30

1.2 

1.5

3.5

6.3

26

O> 

"3

UQ

S'K

0!^-

f*

2

0.02 

.01 

.01 

1.2 

4.3 

.2

3.0

Tr.

2.2 

6.0 

Tr. 

.9

Tr. 

4.0

.42

.20 

.6

Total hardness 

CaCOs.as 

63 

37 

38 

80 

101 

65

329

48

82

200 

150 

85

107 

65 

100 

214

34

380 

652 

176

106

123

109

122 

242 

171 

314

47

28

20

79 

40

No.

265 

266

267 

268

269 

270

271 

272 

273 

274 

275

276

277 

278

279

280

281

282

283 

284

Calculated. &Iron and aluminum oxides (FezOs + A12O3). 

cc Includes equivalent of 17 parts per million
58 INDUSTRIAL UTILITY OF PUBLIC WATER SUPPLIES.

TABLE 6. Public water supplies of the

No. Description.

285

287

288

289

290

291

292

293

294

295

296

297

298

300

301

302

303

304

305

306

307

VIBGINI A continued.

Portsmouth (54,387); municipal; lakes; filtered. Analyzed by Margaret D. Foster, U. S. Geological 

Survey, May 3,1922.

Richmond (171,667); municipal; James River; coagulation and sedimentation. Analyses of water 

from James River at Richmond by U. S. Geological Survey in 1906-7 (Water-Supply Paper 236, 

p. 67).

Roanoke (50,842); Roanoke Waterworks Co.; Crystal Spring, 4,000,000 gallons a day; Muse Spring, 

1,500,000 gallons a day; River Spring, 500,000 gallons a day; Vinton-Roanoke Water Co., Vinton 

Reservoir, Smith Spring. The analyses of samples from hydrants agree closely with analyses of 

samples from the individual sources. Analyzed by James H. Gibboney, Roanoke. A, Fire 

hydrant halfway between Albemarle and Walnut avenues on Third Street SE., Aug. 27, 1917; 

represents Roanoke Waterworks Co. supply. B, Fire hydrant at junction of Campbell and 

Norfolk avenues near Potty's coal yard, Aug. 27, 1917; represents Vinton-Roanoke Water Co. 

supply.

WASHINGTON.

Bellingham (25,585); municipal; Lake Whatcom. The chemical character of the water is undoubtedly fairly represented by the analyses of water from Skagit River, which drains an area similar 

to that which is drained into Lake Whatcom. Average of analyses of water from Skagit River 

at Sedro Woolley by Walton Van Winkle, U. S. Geological Survey, in 1910-11 (Water-Supply 

Paper 339, p. 38).

Everett (27,644); municipal; Sultan River. Analyzed by Horace G. Byers, Washington State

University, 7, Fieb. 19,1915. 

Seattle (315312) municipal; Cedar River and Cedar Lake. Analyses of water from Cedar River at

Ravensiale, by Walton Van Winkle, U. S. Geological Survey, in 1910-11 (Water-Supply Paper

339, p. 44). 

Spokane (104, 437); municipal; wells about 50 feet deep. Analyzed by Quintard Johnson, city

chemist, 1920. 

Tacoma (96,985); municipal; Green River. Average of analyses of water from Green River at Hot

Springs by Walton Van Winkle, U. S. Geological Survey, in 1910-11 (Water-Supply Paper

339, p. 46).

"WEST VIRGINIA.

Charleston (39,608); West Virginia Water & Electric Co.; Elk River; filtered. Analyzed by R, I.

Dodd, 1921. 

Clarksburg (27,869); municipal; West Fork River; filtered. Monthly averages of analyses of

filtered water in 1921, made by Ralph D. Bates, Clarksburg.

Huntington (50,177); Huntington Water Corporation (controlled by American Waterworks & 

Electric Co., 50 Broad Street. New York, N. Y.); Ohio River; settling and coagulating basins. 

The quantity of dissolved solids in the water changes with the stage of the river, but the average 

composition is similar to that of the water supplied at Cincinnati, Ohio. Average of analyses of 

samples of filtered water (annual report of Cincinnati Waterworks, 1917-18, p. 73). Wheeling (56,208); municipal; Ohio River. (For analysis see Huntington.)......................

WISCONSIN. 

Green Bay, (31,017); municipal; artesian wells 930 feet deep. Analyzed by Margaret D. Foster,

, , ,, .._._ __, _ _ igan; filtered. The composition of the water is shown 

by the analysis of the water from Lake Michigan at Chicago made by G. A. Weinhold, Illinois 

State Water Survey, Dec. 5,1921.

La Crosse (30,421); municipal; wells 120 feet deep. Analyzed by Dearborn Chemical Co., Chicago, 

111., February. 1922.

Madison (38,378); municipal; wells, 750 feet deep. Analyzed by Harry Klueter, State chemist, 

October, 1921.

Milwaukee (457,147); municipal; Lake Michigan. The chemical composition of the lake water is 

fairly constant and almost the same at Milwaukee as at Kenosha and at Chicago, 111. (See 

Kenosha.) At Milwaukee iron is about 0.2 part per million and chloride about 4 parts.

Oshkosh (33,162); municipal; Lake Winnebago; filtered. Analyzed by R. A. Maddock, 1921.....

Racine (58,593); municipal; Lake Michigan. (For analysis see Kenosha.)..........................

Shebovgan (30,955); municipal; Lake Michigan. (For analysis see Kenosha.)

U. S. Geological Survey, Mar. 30,1922. 

Kenosha (40,472); municipal; Lake Michi

kJAit, k/WY gO/JJ \tHffVViJJt -IJJ.UJJJ.l'.LL'Clii,, -UaO-D .LULLUUlgCU.!* \-L'\JL OiLLOiM.y OiO OUO A*.fJJVOJ-«*«/ ........-..-- -.- -.

Superior (39,671); Superior Water, Light & Power Co.; wells 14 to 40 feet deep in sand on shore of

Lake Superior.' Analysis furnished t»y Superior Wafer, Light & Power Co., September, 1921.

WYOMING.

Casper (11,447); municipal; North Platte River; through natural sand niters. Analysis furnished

by city engineer, Mar. 16,1920. 

Cheyenne (13,829); municipal; impounding reservoir. Analyzed by C. W. Killebrew, January, 1921.
DESCRIPTIONS AND ANALYSES. 

larger cities of the United States Continued.

59

Analyses (parts per million). .

Avg.... 

Max.... 

THin..^. A.....:

B......

Avg....

Avg.... 

Max.... 

Min....

Avg....

Avg....

Max....

Min....

A VJT

.........

.........

.........

dissolved Total 

solids.

43

89 

174 

58 

«139

«41

48

54

49 

84 

84 

201

55 

«75

o!61

287 

183

276 

o345

«186

61

o284 

oll6

|

1

^

4.2

24

......

8.6 

4

......

Silica (SiO ).s

3.2

18 

54 

6.4 

11 

16

9.4

13 

31 

7.1 

13

17

4.8

14 

18

2.6 

12

1.2

3.7 

16

Iron (Fe).

0.22

.5 

1.8 

.04 

61.6 

62.4

.08

.02 

.08 

Tr. 

6.05

.04

61.6 

.15

dd.66

<M.03

.03

.08 

.4

6.8 

61.1

63.6

.14

62.8 

.2

Calcium (Ca).

3.6

14 

19 

9.6 

24

2.8

7.9

6.7 

9.6 

4.4 

27

6.0 

9.3

33

46 

36

53 

66

32

14

42 

27

Magnesium(Mg).

1.2{

3.0 

5.5 

.4 

16 

2.3

1.7

1.4 

2.4 

.5 

14

1.3 

1.9

3.7

20 { 

10 {

32 

39 {

17

3.7

»{

3.8

Sodium andpotassium (Na+ 

K).

Na 3.9 

K .7 

6.7 

14 

1.8 

3.9 

2.6

3.6

3.6 

4.8 

2.5 

3.1

5.6 

12

a 13

Na31 

K 4.0 

Na 4.6 

K 1.6

6.7

Na 6.2 

K 3.2

16

2.9

Na 29 

K 8.1

5.6

Bicarbonate radicle(HCO ).3

} "

60 

90 

27 

145 

17

29

28. 

44 

17 

159

28

30

23 

««32

e«12

42

( 218

[ 144

190

\ 385

148

62

\ 124 

86

Sulphate radicle 

(S0 ).4

12

7.1 

12 

3.9

4.8 

2.4

8.2

5.7 

9.4 

3.4 

9.2

5.9 

26

62

55 

10

15 

23

31

2.8

111

18

Chloride radicle

(Cl).

5.1

2.3 

4.6 

Tr. 

6.0

4.0

.9

1.1

1.2

4.0 

.5 

1.0

1.3

7.1 

18 ddioe

19

16 

6.0

3.5 

4.0

7.2

1.1

12 

3.8


 3

!~^o

O)>^ «s

5

Tr.

.3 

.9 

.0

.24

.20 

1.0 

Tr.

.13

Tr.

1.8

.13

.22

Total hardness 

CaCO as .o3

14

47 

70 

26 

126 

16

27

415

23 

33

14 

125

20

31

<*58 

ddlOS 

dd 33 

97

197 

131

264 

325

149

50

162

83

No.

285 

286

287

288

289 

290

291 

292

293 

294

295

296

297 

298

299 

300 

301

302 

303 

304 

305

305 

307

o Calculated.

6 Iron and aluminum oxides (FesO3 +AljO3 ).

dd Single determinations. 

««Monthly averages.

O