The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-09-12
Parts per Grains
100000. per gal.
Parts PER- Grains
10000. . per ga.

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES, temperature 10 ueeIees
Fahrenheit 0dorless and colorless; taste
pleasant; small amount OF very small suspend
ed PARTICLES.
Sample taken by myself in a clean two-gallon
Jug about O'Clock September ?, 1892, at the
pumping station on Lake Washington, from the
pump the water enters the mains.
The question is asked by many people, "what
does analysis of a water mean The reply.
briefly stated, is that the object of analysis is
10 determine il q water is polluted. IL so, from
what sourca then, how to prevent
A water contains in solution mineral and or
ganic matter and oceiuded gases. A pure water
contains none OF those ingredients, but sucn
does not occur in nature. Ii is the absence of
gases and mineral matter that make pure dis
titled water inspii. Water ON evaporation is
pure. The vapor condensing and falling rain
sbsorbs the impurities of the air. In addition
IL dissolves mineral matter aud such impurities
as IL comes in contact with in its course over
and through the soil
he mineral matter in water acts q regu-
1a,or TO our systems Ia a few cases only is
there large excess, and then it produces seri-
Gus internal arrangement 1t il the organic
matter in suspension aud in solution especially
that diseases the system. A water may be clear
and sparkling: at the same time il may contain
dangerous germs These germs bacteria
that either from their own growth destroy the
tissues OF the body. or like ptomaines produce
duoe fatal results.
The organic matter comes from two or three
sources, namely, sewerage, drainage OF sur
faces where decomposition Is taking place. and
of animal and vegetable matter otherwise taken
into the water To detect organic impurities is
the object of an analysis aud investigation.
The items OF importance which aid judg
mcnt follows: Free ammonia, albumen-
Old ammonia ammonia produced from the orr
giniaI matter in an anaiysisl, nitrates and nj
trites. chlorine. odor, color. taste and organic
matter Ammonia is never OF sufficient guam
,ity in a water to y harmful; but above Ger
tain amount IL indicates former pollution.
Organic matter is composed of carbon, hydro
gen. oxygen and nitrogen, which during decom-
position form carbonic anhydride and wa
ter. Nitrogen during the action forms
ammonia. and later nitratss and nj
trites. The nitrates and ni.rites in
themselves are harmless. but they give clue
TO the past history OF the water. Chlorine, if in
large quantity when the remainder of the snaly-
sis shows pollution, indicates sewerage contami-
nation. II the organic matter Is low the water
con be used; but If the ammonia and pitrates
are high it should be investigated as they indi-
cate a pollution purified By oxidation. As soon
this purifier becomes overcharged the water
Is dangerous.
Now, is our water safe? A positive opinion
cannot be given without examination oi
Lake Washington aud several analyses being
made Al ain rent times of the year varia
ton would probably be detected, especial y
when the rains begin. Then all the decay du
ring ,hc dry season is washed into the lake from
the Land which it drains.
city should have its entire system exam ned
TO note a possible chance of contamination
and take means tn prevent the same. Proven
ton is better than cure.
Water supply is bctiered in three ways--by di
luting poor watcr-this is not safe, by pur
tying; by changing the supply. The third /;
often impossi bic, oi the others must b,
adopted. The water III the lake is not purify
ing itself by oxldauau but By diiutIoG. IL II
now what chealists would pronounce Grst-ciasl
and safe. although u cannot remain so Ion!
with the increasing population around the lake
Win our growing city this is of vital Interest
st,a its consideration should not DO delayed
until an epidemic forces 10 realize that IN,
water has reached an unsafe point. Many citie
have delayed sl.l PAID the penalty.
This subject OF healtBy waters has beei
studied by al largo cities of tAs world. IL in
huSnees she two alost beneficial conditions q
a community health aal wealth.. lmpur
water causes sickness sni mor.sInys IL ais
impairs tho heath of thoSs using IL, These ~
suits, besides the worry aud care. uecessitate
heavy expense. Is has been ssii that "a work
ingman Is worth 5000 10 = community. q
bic loss. livery one shouli sanction wise el
penditare Tor the improvement OF the cit
water.