New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-06-06
UNPALATABLE WATER SUPPLIES.


EAfERlENCES IN OTHER CITIES-RESULTS OF NUM-
RRoUs INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE NATURE OF
TIE "FIsHY" OR CUCUMBER" TASTE.
TO the Editor OF The Tribune.
SIR: 1t may he of interest to your
readers in the City Of Eew-York 10 know that
many other cities have been troubled with the
same hshy" or cucumber" taste In their
water supplies that pervades the Croton. Among
them are the following cities and towns: Albany,
Ponghkeepse, Saratoga SPRING. Warsaw Rochester,
Os"ego fOnkep and Auburn, N. Y: Boston, H0yoke
and Brookline. Mass; Meriden, NewBritan, Hartford
and NewIIayen. Conn., Concord and Keene, n. H.; York
and Wiamsport Penn; Trenton, ~ j.; Baltimore, Nd;
Norfolk. Va and St Paul, MINI. In most or all Of these
places this matter has been made the subject Of special
investigation by scientists and engineers Although the
results do agree In all eases there IL difference Of
opinion In respect namely, that the water affected,
although unpaatabe, and at times disgusting. Is not in
furious 10 health.
The important question IT, how shall the nuisance be
avoided removed II reservoirs were covered. and
the water protected from the light It il probable that
the chance. Of the trouble would be materially reduced
but cases not wanting where the waters OF
wells contaminated with the l,hy" taste and odor,
thus indicating that the ~ the nuisance may be
carried IN the air from ponds rivers affected in the vi
ciniy while II would be possible to small dstrib-
utng rrscryoirs It would De impracicahe, account
81 eNpnsc 10 protect large storage reservoirs in this
manner. II Is probable that filtration through sand
would improve the taste, II not entirely remove the
trouble hu the immense outlay required for city Ike
NcVNork would prevent IT. serious consideration The
filter beds would have be covered over "a the expos
urc ~ the water which would br shallow. TO the
would probably cau-e rapid growth ~ vegetable or
cani-m whtrh gould clog tho filter Tho water would
have to hc delivered from the nirr directly into the
mains. "a hcl would require constant pumping In many
for N 10 stored after liberation the taste
would b" likely 10 return The best remedy would seem
To- i' either 9" boil ihc water and allow II 10 cool 70
have each family hitter IT, own water There ARE MAJ
htFr~ Hhrh would probably remove the taste hut spong
iron would undoubtedly be- r'liahle Offering me
dlum Filters constructed - ~ In Europe have been
thoroughly tested. aud 10 pos-c>-cs the valuable property
Or removing organic impurities, which am unaware Is
shared 20 any other filter
II NAV hr concluded from the opinions quoted and
the d-russnns preceding
Firsi- That water affected hy tho "fshy" or cucum-
bcr' taste j. not injurious To health.
SerpHd That IN, ~ the trouble Il ~ yet not
not fu, agreed upon Dog scenti-t- but the prrpoudcr
anrr ~ proof nd Gates The prr-rncc ~ minute vrgr
table H. nnriiur- not detected 10y the microscope
ThrdIh The nb-eurr " taste ~ water IN rcSrrN ors
Will" 90" winter in thu pipes Affected proves that the
exist iu the former hat not De developed un
~ the water enters me distribution pipes.
FOirh That the de-, eopmcut of the taste when com
mrurrd rapid. a. In boston. where 3Op,OuDOOO
gallons ~ water wtrr icCicd In one night.
FtuAIhat IN rlsr II the trouble due To hsh, dead
but their al-surr rhuHr N by allowing the
morr rapid growth Of the vegetation which their presence
tend- 10 cheek.
Silih-rhai no method 81 removing tho trouble. on a
large scale has vet been devised but there would prnh
ally be- trouble Ia doing -" Tor domrrtc coh~nmlton
each family.
IN no way rrspons1lr for the nuiSan'e Nhturc pro
dltrs ~, trouble and must effect the cure 80 Tar hs
large hodir- ~ water arr concerned
IighM That although the trouble may De- more likely
occur tn warm Vrnthr " fr lucntly occurs IN cold
weather also 80 ~ to nn,i the quality Of the tee
ItIirfDekSf. h J.. May >, ISL.