Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-03-10

The only stoDpage TO the waste Is 10 put
In meters. which, as before stated, would
necessitate proper fixtures aud their prolec-
ton; otherwise IL will I've necessary continue
ally to add to our pumps and provide larger
supply-mains, which emit great outlay
upon the city with no beneficeDt result.
CONDITION or THE WATER.
The water Of the james at no time was
perfectly clear from January lst TO October
lst. There were short periods when the
water was opalescent, but on the whole u
was muddy The longest CONTINUOUS muddy
period was from July Goth to October 4th.
Then we had clear water for thirty days.
sample OF the water was at that time ana
lyzed by chf mist in New York, who pro-
nounced IL free from any Objectionable mat
ter, aud the color equal to distilled water.
have given some examination 10 various
devices for mechanical filtration, and cannot
vet advise the adoption OF any ooe. Nearly
an OF them employ cOaguiants OF some
Kind. and IN their use ] do not believe
could be kept WITHIN safe limit when called
upon 10 filter IN such large quantl-
ties rs our daily demand and the
water in its muddest condition. Again
the cost OF such fitcring plant would he
very great and the annual maintenance eX'
pentive. | see no better plan OF furnishing
our CITY WIN EDOu WalFi hbhu NV NhN ~
already sdvised--nameiy, the construction
OF large settling-oasIn along the canal
above the New pump-house. Suca site Is
now eligible within mile OF the pump
house. A basin or lake can be constructed
and suction.pipe laid for Sl5O,OO0. Inc
basin would hold over 200 000,O00 gallons OF
water. or about twenty DAYS supply. The
water would be OF sufficient height TO
cDaige the pumps under head OF not
less than ten feet and would be stored
sufficiently long TO be freed OF most OF the
suspended Impurities by sedlmentatlon..
There rs an alumiua in the James river wafer
OF so little gravity that 1t settles very Slowly,
and Is not entire removed after mouths Oh
settling, but It is harmless. and merely leaves
the color OF the water opalescen;. In con-
frmailon that the settling process Is tie best
| will refer to Professor Hardin's report
made In 1915 10 the City En-Ineer, when
was a full aud complete analysis OF samples
OF water taken from the rlyer here. In bis
summary he lays:
-. The organic mat'ers found in the sam
ples Of water analysed are principally, II not
entirely, Of vegetable origin. Tue nltro-
eeuons substances occur IN very minute
quantities, and appear incapable OF render
ing the water unwho esome.
80 The oplescent or nearly clear SAM
pies are IN aii respects ROOu.
.s3. The turhld samples, though contain
ing nothing seriously Objectionable IN a sanl-
tary point Of view, are unslghtly, and SO lar
at least undesirable.
"a. The muddy specimen, collected after
freshet, had when received very forbid
ding appearance. and was 80 loaded with
suspended impurities as 10 be unit for do
nestle use.
80. Il is important that the water with
which the city is supplied should be freed
"a far as possible from suspended lmpUri-
ties. Much can be done in this direction by
sedmentatOn, aud also by the ordinary
methods Of filtration. II, however, remains
TO be seen whether any rapid, economical,
and entirely uuOhiectl0nable process can be
devised for rendering the water perfectly
clear on large scale. AS Tar a. experiments
have gone the settling process appeals 10
have the advantage over all Others.
"6. OF all the chemical processes hitherto
proposed for purifying drinking-water the
one employed on the small scale by many
persons IN Richmond answers best for these
SAMPLES OF water Not more than about five
grains OF alum TO gallon should be used"
From repeated trials II has been shown
that James river water IL not affected iniu.
riouslS nv being stored but is greatly i'm
proyed. the suspended impurities having
hsd time TO settle. Moreover, have not yet
seen the deYice by which the water can be
rendered perfectly clear and good for do
me.iic use in large quantities by any rapid.
economical, and entirely unobiec'lonabie
process.
10 conclusion, beo to commend to you
the officers aud employees OF this depart
menl for their constant fidelity and unislllng
attention TO their various duties.
Respectfully submitted.
CHARLES Y. BOILING, superintendent.