Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-01-27
QUE MAIL POUCH.
Allegheny. Impurs Wa,sr.

AhO8MeuJ8 Impure wafer
To the Editor Of The Dispatch:
1 read in the papers a short time ago that su-
perintendent Armstrong had laid 20 miles of
new water mains. and that Allegheny now has
the best water supply Of any city in the coun-
try. At the same time he stated that he had
nothing to say about the character of the
water. think he should give the citizens Of
Allegheny an explanation of the character Of
the water that they are drinking and not sup
ply water solely for the benefit of the doctors.
think in the last few years physicians have
made fortunes out of water such as is supplied
to the people now. By looking at the old pipes
that were taken out this last fall, any one
could judge what kind Of water was supplied.
have been informed by Councilman that
when the reservoir was cleaned out about three
months ago. an accumulation of two years or
more, the foul and filthy mass was about three
feet or more deep. was told it was be-
yond language to describe. For two
years the people have been drinking
OF pollution. 1t is alarming, and that the peo-
pie are sick is not at all surprising. L would
like to know why the reservoirs could not be
cleaned out once or twice year. About two
months ago at a meeGng OF the Water Com
mlttee it was stated that there was to be
positive recommendation made to Councils for
the furnishing to the city of purer supply OF
water. Superintendent Armstrong, who has,
at the suggestion of the committee and Coun-
clls prepared several plans and notifications OF
plans, was reported to be still at work, and pro-
posed, II possible, to demonstrate that the best
Thing to be done is to extend the supply main
further up stream, claiming that this would be
the most economical course. and that it would
pc permanent Improvements. can't see what
difference il makes where the water is taken
out OF the river, whether it is taken q miles
up the river or at the place where it is taken
out now. The water is all the same, for It came
down from above to where it is pumped
at present. All the difference there would be
between letting the water run down the river
itself and in extending main up the river. and
would be about 81 100000 for the taxpayers Of
Allegheny to meet The character of the water
would remain the same unless it should be
inferred. and it could Just as well be filtered at
the present location as up the river.
L have been informed by several Councilmen
that about three years ago the Water Commit
tee had the water analyzed from different
places up the river and from the reservoir and
from the pumping place, and that which was
taken out at the latter proved to be the purest.
l think about three years ago committee and
Superintendent Armstrong visited some of the
Eastern cities to inspect some of the filter
ing devices, and reported that they
proved very satisfactory. A filter COM
pany a1terWard put small inter
on one of the avenues in the lower part OF the
city, where any person was at liberty to judge
of the water for himself and it gave good sat-
isfaction. There is also filter that has been
constructed for some time IN Allegheny, which
Superintendent Armstrong is said to have
tested and pronounced satisfactory. Several
Councflmen are of the same opinion, but as
power to act. And still the character OF our
drinking water remains as bad as ever. When
shall we have purer supply? TAXPAYER.
ALLEGHENY, January rs.