Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-07-18
RIVER POLLUTION.
REDDINGs INTENDED DRAINAGE INTO
THE SACRAMENTO RIVER.
Views of an Experienced Chemist, Who
Has Given the Matter a Close
Investigation.

John Eitel, the well-known chemist and
investigator, writes to the RECORD, UNION on
the interesting and important question of
the pollution of the river from which this
city draws its water supply. Mr. Eitels
communications are usually too technical
for general reading. In the present in
stance we present extracts and formulate
statements from his me st recent letter, that
will be found to be of much interest and
that address themselves to the best inter-
ests of the city The chemist says:
In regard to the sewage questionable
proposition of the town of Redding to
empty its sewage into the Sacramento river
- desire to say that none who have fol-
wed the march of sanitary science will
agree with the expressions of indifference
reported to have been made at recent
meeting of the Board of City Trustees. III
the catfish, as has been suggested, have to
handle Readings sewage, in course of time
other Readings will claim the right to call
on the catfish to undertake similar task.
1t is said that only liquid sewage will be
emptied into the river at Redding. 1t is
simple fact that in case of an epidemic of
disease it is just as dangerous, There is in
the civilized world so much evidence on
the subject, that there can be entertained
no doubt by any who are at all informed
upon the questions in this matter.
I" In the SUNDAY UNION of June Sth, I'M
der the heading Sanitary Lessons there
is sufficient light thrown on the subject,
but great deal more can be added. The
cholera in Spain was transmitted by water
from above to those below on streams, and,
as result, thousands of lives were lost.
The question is not so much, shall Redding
be permitted to dumpand drain sewage into
the river? but, how many Readings in the
future shall be justified by the precedent in
doing likewise? If you think it worth
while, turn back your files of the RECORD
UNION and read the article published jan
uary Ii, 1888, on Gaseous Poisons,' which
was written in view of the cesspool debate,
and the question now will receive addi-
tional light. Consider this suggestion about
allowing the fluid sewage to be turned into
the river, and the idea that solid matter
can be retained Oh land-the result will be
the Taxation of the soluble matter from the
solid, and the poison will still pass into the
river. A lump ofsugar or salt may be termed
solid, but how long will either remain so
in water? If dissolved, will the component
parts of sugar or salt be less vital? Yet
one compound may act as a preservatiye
eat.
'In your Sunday issue this week you refer
to the experiment in Switzerland, showing
that certain substances placed on the soil
were indicated in wells some distance
away in due course of time: particularly
the instance of flour is cited as not making
itself manifest; these substances were not
dissolved chemically to any extent, and
the experiment cannot therefore be looked
upon as trustworthy, even had the -four
been dissolved in acids.
The fact is,ssthat the soil permits the
associates of chlorine mostly sodium
chloride-to pass unmolested. and for that
reason the ocean contains 70 per cent. of
that chemical compound when the water
is evaporated. Nature has but little use
for chlorine when plant life is Investigated;
1t is different, however, with other CON-
pounds necessary to plant life, particularly
the phosphates. These the virgin soil
tenaciously holds back until fully saturated
and then only will they be carried off by
the aid of the water. From my stand
point, upon this retaining power of the
soil hinges the animal kingdom. If the
grass could not draw from the soil these
chemical parts necessary for the sustena-
zion of the young animal-say, for instance
with milk-how could the animal be de-
veloped? Even an egg cannot be devel-
oped without some lime being used by the
hen. In wheat nearly everything is found
and combining this with milk our species
need not starve; but for all we must rely
upon the soil, excepting the carbon part,
which is liberated from carbon dioxide
which is taken from The air. So while the
phosphates, etc, are necessary to animal
life when partaken of according to Natures
formula and intention, on the other hand
when in a liquid state, as in the case Of
Taxation, they are OF great injury, but
mostly so in transmitting the germs OF
epidemic disease.
The Chinese are in advance of us in
this, that they boil their water for drink
ing. But to conclude, this proposed
emptylng of excremental matter into the
Sacramento river is very important matter
and concerning which, if the water is to b,
continued in use by the city, our municipa
authorities ought to take a decided and {
conservative stand"