Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-05-27
CITY AND DISTRICT.
PURE POTOMAC WATER.
Capt. SymOns' Filtration Report.


Capt. Symons' Filtration Report.
HIS VIEWS AS TO THE DEsIRABILITY, PRACTI-
CABlLITY AND COST OF CLARIFYING THE
DRINKING WATER OF THE CAPITAL CITY.
1t was mentioned i'm yesterdays STAR that
there had been submitted to the Senate n re-
Spouse from the Secretary of War to the Senate
resolution OF March Sth last, directing him TO
ascertain the advlsability and practicability of
providing the water supply of the District with
filters and other appliances for cleaning and
purifying the water. Capt. Symons reports
that the ACCESSIBILITY OF providing the water
supply with filters, etc, for purifying. depends
upon its desrability its practicability) and the
cost. He says that the water, As al present
supplied is not sufficiently good for a city like
Washington and not satisfactory in all respects
to the people using it, aud that il is possible to
remedy Its defects by the proper treatment
DEsIRAByLITY OF FILTRATION.
He asserts that the water Is unsatisfactory, as
1t has been more or less muddy all winter, and
its appearance alone establishes its unsatisfac-
tory condition. Citizens and visitors are de-
cided In advocating publication. Filtration Is
practiced by many householders and establish
ments. and though but partial remedy the
aggregate cost in hitting houses with fiterS, etc,
Is large. Domestic filtration Is more liable To
be a source of danger than shield from it.
The amount expended I'm imperfect domestic
filtration would go far towards defraying The
expense of the most perfect Qualification Oh the
entire supply. Dealers in mineral waters take
advantage OF the muddy condition of
the water supply to impress the dan
gers of drinking POTOMAC sewerage" upon the
people, and thus increase their trade With the
water in its present condition the fears of the
people are easily. excited and q great tax put
upon them, which would be avertcd il il were
Known that all water coming 10 the city was
thoroughly cleaned and purified. Ii is believed
mat the interests of temperance and morality
would be advanced by having within reach of
everybody a plentiful supply OF water. clear.
ieis To the complaints made OF the water last
summer and the public a.itation about il. lie
says the aqueduct authorities did all they could
To remedy exciting evils, bat they cannot do il
thoroughly until means are provided.
THE MEDICAL SOCIETY REPORT.
He quotes the report of the committee of the
Medical society to the effect that many of the
evils complained of would be remedied by
proper filtration and aeration. Capt Sy mons
also quotes the opinions OF other experts given
al the time. all of which were then published in
THE STAR, and says the discussion OF last sum-
mer showed a strong desire on the part Of every
body for as perfect and pure water supply as
can be obtained. He quotes authorities to show
that it is possible by proper ltraii9n 10 entirely
deprive water of its germ lie. After com plee
deprivation of germ life the water is exposed Ia
the ordinary influence OF air and contact with
the b!ologically unclcan materials and ior its
storage and conveyance this germ lie is rapidly
rcintroduced and multiplied. This makes ii
desirable TO furnish the filtered water Ior
soon after the operation AZ possible. 1t is ncccs
sary to renew or cleanse the fiitering material
very frequently in order to obtain the best re-
suits.
MEDICAL OPINIONS.
Capt. SymOns inserts letters from Drs. W. NJ.
Johnston. T. S. Verdi, J. F. Uartean, S. {.
Bundy, Robert Reyburn, s. j. Radcliffe. {. ii.
Smart. surgeon United States army, and Health
Officer 1ownshend, All declaring that the water
Ought to be filtered. and most of them detailing
the benefits that would result from filtration.
CONDITION OF THE WATER FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
In order to make his report complete Capt.
Symons incorporates 4 description of the wafer
supply system here. He also submits a tatle
showing the condition of the water during the
fiscal years from 1878 to 1885. For the seven
years given the water averaged as follows each
year: Clear. 25S days; slightly turbd, 21 days;
turbid. :.6 days: very turbid, 55 days. The re-
port states that the table shows conciusivcy
that the Potomac is not a clear water river.
Over one-halt the time is waters are more
comparatively clear in the distributing reser-
voir a Uout two-thirds of the year 1t does not 10y
amy means follow that 1t Is free from organic
matter. 1t is generally about the month Of
May that the iisiI-ike odor comes TO the water
and durlngit prevalence the water is clear and
bright.
PRACTICABILITY OF FILTRATION.
The report states that filtration of water on
the large scale Necessary ior cities and towns
has been practiced for years. to "A small extent
in our own country, and Ia very large extent in
Europe where many cities have filtration
works OF great magnitude, and that these
works are considered essential To the weli-leing
of water-users, and the laws require them TO be
kept ia operation. Very marked sanitary
benefits have resu ted from their adoption. AS
TO methods natural filtration Is pronounced
the commonest and simplest OF water
Qualification. and it consists in taking adyan-
tagc of a natural deposit OF sand or gravel and
using it as filter, but this s, stem Is not APP
piicable here, as the Potomac has a rocky bed
and banks, and where there is any extent OF
bottom land IL is q! u compact clayey ia ture.
The filter selcc Ell as most desirable is one made
by the Newark Fiitering company, and il is
proposed to locate the works just south of the
distributing reservoir, and between ii and the
canal.
THE COST.
In conclusion, Capt. Symons says the health
and good name of the city require an efficient
system Of water filtration to guard against
epidemics, ETC.. and be recommends the appro-
priation o: S6OO,OOO TO carry out the plan he
suggests. The papers were referred 20 the Dis
trct committee. The question of printing the
report and accompanying maps showing plans,
location, ETC., were referred 10 the printing
committee.