Morning journal and courier., 1880-05-24
Purffcntfon of River Waters.

[From the Boston Journal of Chemistryl
 Ten years ago we published in the Journal the results of several careful analyses of the waters of Merrimac river in eastern Massa- chusetts. These waters were taken from the river at Haverhill, point some eight miles below the last of the great manufacturing cities which line the banks of the river al most to it's source. The cities of Lawrence with 40, GOO inhabitants, Lowell with O. GOO, Nashua with Ia, 900, Manchester with 30, ,OO0 are all upon this famous stream, and the ex- creta and filth of at least half a million of people, and the refuse from hundreds of inn mense mills are poured into 1t constantly day and night, throughout the year. The waste from the mills is not only filthy na- ture, but a considerable portion consists of substances higly corrosive and poisonous, as acids, spent dyes mineral salts and caustic alkalies. The Pacific Mills at Lawrence are of vast extent, the largest in the world em- ploying six thousand operatives, and the filth coming from these establishments would seem to be sufficient, almost, to poison the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The waters examined were secured at a point, as had been stated, not more than eight miles below the outlet from these mills into the river and at the season (July) when the stream is at stage of water half way between it's maxi mum and minimum flow. The analysis show ed high degree of purity in the water, the organic or inorganic matter falling below four grains in the imperial gallon. Results of this nature so unexpected, created doubts as to the accuracy of the methods of analysis, but they were fully sustained by repeated testing under all the-modified forms known in chemical research.
 Standing alone, these results would serve to l show the remarkable capability moving possesses of self -purifcation; but the fact is strongly established by researches in England made upon the streams which are polluted with wash from the large manufacturing towns and cities The streams in England are small there not being one of so great volume as the Merrimac which we regard here a small river. The pollution of English streams is carried to an enormous extent, the water of many at the outfall of the sewers of large towns, being actually offensive; as it passes down the river it blackens from the formation of sulphide of iron; further the black color decreases, disappears, and the river at last exhibits no signs of odor, color, turbidity. Again, soon after the sewage has been turned into the river the sewage fungus appears, all other vegetable life being absent no fish are seen the banks are black A short distance further on the fungus washes vegetation is luxuriant, fish abound, the river clears and no trace of black deposit can be seen. Thus in the river Soar of Loughborough, thirteen miles distant, the water is perfectly clear and fish are abundant. The Irwell at Manchester is polluted with every form of filth; in nine
 
 has entirely disappeared; and so on in many cases.
 At no time and under no circumstances have the waters of the MerrImac become so impure even at the point, where they flow through cities, as to destroy life. Fishes in considerable numbers are found in the river l at all seasons and in the spring, shad, salmon, l and alewives abound.
 By what methods through what agen- l cies is the process of self purifcation accom- l plished? Undoubtedly oxidation has much to do with it; and other chemical affinities are brought into play. The acids which flow into | the streams very dilute unite with alkalles, | and form fixed and insoluble salts. The sul- | phuric acid will find lime as hydrate or car 1 bonate and by combination will form insolu- 1 ble sulphate, which will fall to the bed of the | stream; the nitric and hydrochloric acids will l act in similar manner, forming nltrates and l chlorides and thus they are disposed of. The 1 dyes and metallic solutions which escape are ] changed by oxidization into new bodies, mostly insoluble, and it is by this action that | the excreta and other organic substances are locked up in harmless, insoluble forms Both
 air and water furnish free oxygen for all needed changes, and hence moving water, l which in it's course after pollution tumbles l over rocks or whirls into eddies, will soonest lose its taint. It is the sharp teeth of oxygen | which does the work of the scavenger in pur- flying air as well as water. There is poured into the ar every poSslDle Iornl or nlCh and impurity during every instant of time, but plenty of oxygen is at hand to unite with it, l forming new and innocuous bodies.
 Is this purified water of streams suitable for domestic uses? As matter of sentiment,
 we should prefer the water of wells or open ponds, but as matter of fact we cannot doubt that such waters are safe and healthfu for household uses. The work which nature
 performs in the instance of impure waters
 under conditions considered, is as perfect as
 that performed in the case of air, and VI
 must constantly breathe air often eontamina
 ted by passing through the lungs of others
 In England this question of pure water is ar
 important one, and also to us in some sec tions.