The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-08-24
The IYater oncstion Agaln.
Editor Times
RICHMOND, VA. August %, 1892.

LQlLOI lluess
As pertinent TO the several articles in our
papers discussing the Water Question" 10
Is stated that rapidly running water will
pretty we'll purify itself of all disease germs
in several miles of travel through the
agency Of the oxygen absorbed bY contact
with the air, chemical action and a natural
precipitation of sediment: but this pre-
supposes no further contamination during
the process. contamination IN point or
fact constantly going on Indeed the Eng
lish river pollution commission paid much
attention 20 this publication claim, and,
after making many experimental investiga-
tons, reported that There was no river IN
the United Kingdom long enough 90 secure
the oxidation and destruction Of any sewage
which might be discharged into II even at
its source We howl about the sources OF
contamination and analyZe the output, but
90 on adding feartully 10 1t with our
sewers. laundries and factories IN the towns
above us. and we 60 on. year by year drink
ing the water we sprinkle the streets with
and which our fire engines squirt at the
ed-tongued deYilsn that bother the fire in
surance companies and rendered tawny and
turbId at every shower and possibly for this
reason continuously harvest the usual crop
OF typhoid fever cases and what the doctors
class as "ZymOtic" diseases. all OF which are
easily prsyentable. as they come 20 US
through impure drinking water. Witness
the monthly reports 10 the Board OF Health,
which show that this city has a heavier
death rate per 900 than almost any other
American or European city.
Even in the most sparkling water, when
meets the most sewers chemical test or
purity, typhoid and other 0acllli may
swarm. VIII nothing move q community
In paramount health question except pO-
litical influence secret society or business
wre-pulling and the desire to preserve IN
vested interests The most important IN
vested interests any or all of us can have IN
this life next 10 an abiding faith IN happy
future beyond the grave, strange as II may
seem 20 many. is in the enjoyment OF pure
drinking water 70 maintain good health and
live long. while in sickness this agent may
be the most potent aid 10 recovery by virtue
of its solvent and purifying powers. hope
the foregoing will not be taken as TRADE.
but for what il IS. a cogent recaptuatlOn OF
the reasons for the self-evident fact that
river water. as ordinarily used. IS not at all
times safe beverage for man.
HOW TO OBTAIN PURE WATER.
MANY extensive fine manufactures abso-
lutely depend upon steady supply OF purl-
fed water at all times, notably, white paper,
threads. textiles. dying, laundry WORK, ana
even iron and steel, 70 say nothing OF Deer
as prominently eXemphhed at holyoke.
mills and at the great Cambria iron-works
and many Others that could be specified
which are fitted with ilterlng apparatus
which coagulates and removes ali impurities
and forcibly aerates and filters the water
and are so arranged that return current
can AT all times keep II clear Of entangled
matter. Many experts have reported their
entire inability TO find or develop by cul-
ture a single micr0be IN ordinary samples
filtered 10y this apparatus OF water that had
been literally full OF them before filtration.
Many cities and towns have put filters
in. Atlanta, Ga. reporting that their muddy
water. never III 20 drink before. IS now as
clear as a diamond. though twenty feet deep.
IL is the universal report that the worst
water is at once rendered the best. Some
places have had them IN six years, and they
are always reliable and remarkably cheap IN
operation.
The Legislature OF North Carolina last
year passed a law requiring all drinking
water TO be filtered. Oakland. Cal. has a
four million gallon daily plant 81. Thomas,
Can. a million-gallOn plant. and the Pitts
burg postofiice lis fitted with q $50. 0O0-gal-
Ion plant. mention these places SO that
any interested may write 10 friends there
for Information regarding the operation or
these filters. and also add the following
cities and towns on the list. Bucyrus. o.;
CHATTANOOGA Tenn: New Brunswick. Som
eryilie ana Long Branch. n. j.; Owego. n.
Y. aud Lakewood. n. D., Greenwich, Conn.;
Bellevile aud Carlyle, H.; Paola. Kan;
Nebraska City, heb: Mt. Pleasant. Ia;
Gadsdep, Ala: New Brighton, Pa; Sedalia,
Newport Holden, Rich Hill. Chilicothe and
Carleton. Mo. All OF these places use water
purified by filtration.
Webut stultify our intelligence and TOOL