Delaware State journal and statesman., 1863-09-04

I
The committee have made several gen
eral examinations of the Brandywine
water, in which they were assisted
by Mr.. Ferris Bringhurst, the de-
tails of which have been reported to the
Board but as these were made before
the changes above mentioned in the
manufactures took place, they do not now
consider them Of so much Importance, and
will allude but to one or two. Last sum
mer Mr. Bringhurst eyaporated the
ljrandywlne water, and found l.S7 grains
solid residuum in Il gallon, of this two
thirds was believed by him to be organic,
the remainder saline. The creek nj that
time was ut a moderate stage of water,
and was not turbid.
Just after the heavy rain of April 25,
1868, the committee found by evaporation
that the water, then very muddy, contain
ed ut least LILO grains of solid matter
in gallon the greater portion of which
was due to earthly and organic matters /;
an examination however which was
not satisfactory on account of the im-
perlectness of the vessel used for the
purpose A carefully conducted quail
tative and quantitative analysis furnishes
the only method by which an accurate
conclusion can be reached, respecting the
character and amount of foreign ingre-
dients in any substance. No one in this
city felt competent to this object, and the
committee had no authority to incur the
expense necessary to obtain such an analy-
sis We called upon distinguished analy-
tical chemist of Philadelphia, Mr. Gent,
who informed us that he would make three
analyses of the water, viz {; OF that from
our hydrants, of that about two miles from
from the city, and of that above Jessup's
mill, for the sum of 5000. This is the
smallest sum for which reliable exami-
nation can be made; and the committee
do not suppose that less than three anaIy-
ses would furnish all the facts necessary
in the case
1t world no doubt be satisfaction to
all who drink the Brandywine water and
who have thought upon the subject, to
know in what proportion the organic and
saline matters enter into its composition;
and we believe that sooner or later the
public will demand an analysis before they
will be satisfied of its purity and whole
somencss. 1t does not, however, seem
advisable until Messrs Jessup e. Moore
have finished their experiments, and have
arrived at some conclusion rs TO the course
they intend to pursue in reference to the
refuse of their manufactures, for the
Council to take amy steps in that direc-
tion inasmuch as it is to be hoped that
they will be able voluntarily TO remove all
the causes of offence which they now ori-
ginate.
The remark which we made above that
pure water leaves no residuum ON eyapo-
ration does not condemn all waters which
contain solids for although in the case
of water used directly from the spring, it
cannot be too pure, yet when needed for
public purposes, certain saline consttu
ents add greatly TO its value This arises
from the necessity of using lead pipes for
the purpose of transmitting the water.-
In general terms it may he remarked that
the more free water is from foreign sub
Stances the more ead-dissolving power
il appears TO possess. Certain saline in
gradients have power to interrupt the
solution, by coating the inside of the pipes
with an insoluble compound Such are
the carbonatcs and sulphates and hence
we see The value which the waters of
Philadelphia and New York possess, in
the large quantity of sui pilates and car
Donates which they contain The nitrates
and chlorides haYe much less power, il
not u directly opposite action.
We have said that the chlordcs must
exist in the Brandywine water from what
is thrown into it from the factories and
the tendency is to increase rather than to
diminish the amount. Even if we there
fore considered the quantity of these sub
stances in the water as not directly un-
wholesome, still in this other light they
become of co sequence sufficient, if much
increased, to dcpreciatc the health Of the
whole community. What adds to this
apprehension, is the increasing quantity
of organic matters, eXcrementitious, as
well us others, (some Of which can readily
and ought to be obyiated, if u due regard
were had even to the sensibilities of the
people of this city, which find their way
into the Brandywinc not fur above the
city, and which are of Importance, as
adding to the lead-solyent power of the
water. and its consequent liability to lead
impregnation.
1t appears to us that in view of the fact
that the use Of lead cannot at present be
dispensed with in supplying our houses
with water, and that the deleterious el-
fccts of this substance have been discover
| ed where very minute nuantitips have
been present, it is really of much im-
portance that the lead solvency of the
water should not be increased by either
organic or inorganic materials thrown
into the Brandywine. And while we still
give proper consideration to the effects Of
the various agencies Of publication above
mentioned, still it must be recollectcd
that the CELEBRATES which are most likely
10 do mischief in this respect, are least
likely to be changed by those causes.
This report, the Committee are aware,
is imperfect in most respects, but sufficient
to bring before the minds of this Board
and Of the City Council the general state
of the facts which pertain to the present
and prospective condition of the water
Of the Brandywinc; material of such
vast Importance to the comfort and health
of this community; and regard for which
the Council must feel to be an imperative
and permanent obligation until all the
Objectionable features Of the mauuiactu-
ring process along the banks of the
Braudywinc shall have been obviated
l.. r. BUSH,