The record-union., 1894-05-23
CITY BOARD OF HEALTH.
Meeting Last Night on the Clear
Water Question
1t Is Discussed and Report POST
poned Until the City Attorney
Is Heard From.

The City Board of Health held a special
meeting in the City Trustees room last
evening to consider the clearwater prop
osition referred to it by the Trustees on
the 18th instant.
President Lawton said the Trustees
wanted the board to inquire into the
qualities of the water under discussion,
and TO advise the Trustees whether 1t
would be proper to go on with the con-
tract for the furnishing of water to the
oity. It was also desired that the board
inquire into the utility of the water, not
only for drinking purposes alone, but for
domestic purposes as we'll.
The Trustees want an opinion from the
Board of Health that they can act upon.
The Clerk read the report Of Engineer
Humbert in 1889.
President Lawton said that Professor
Rising had made former analysis OF the
water at the wells for Mr.. Edison. in
which he said that the quality OF the
water was fur.
The recent analysis by Professor Ris-
ing, after q careful examination OF the
wells and surroundings, shows the water
and of good quality. IL was wished,
however, to make sure that IL was not
only fit for domestic use. but ut Tor
washing, dyeing, manufacturing anu
other uses. The Trustees wished the
board to make thorough examination
of all these points and report their con-
clusions to it. There was also an IDEA
among some people that 1t would De
well 10 filter the river water and use
that.
What the city wants is pure water-the
best that can be had.
DR.. Gardner said that, judging from
Professor Rislng's report, the water was
very good, and he did not see how the
board could 60 back of it. 1t had been
the opinion OF medical men that the
malaria prevalent In the Sacramento
Valley was largely due to tie use of we'll
water, At least that was the idea on the
west side of the river; he knew nothing
of the wells on this side. Professor RIs-
ing stated, however. the speaker be-
lieved, that there was no organic matter
in this water.
Dr. Wizard said that if the city waited
for supply of water to which no obJec-
tion could be found, it would never get IL.
No city ever has got such wafer. Ii The
city can get supply OF good water, he
would vote for il, even II little hard.
It's being a little hard was no objection
for drinking.
DR.. Gardner said that good drinking
water contained qualities which were
opposite TO those required for good water
Tor commercial purposes and 1t would
not be likely to be good for both.
DIR. Huntington said there seemed to be
two questions to be considered. One is
the fitness of the water for domestic
purposes and the other its fitness for
commercial purposes. He was not salts
fed with Professor Rising's report, and
thought that the better plan would be TO
take some money and place samples OF
the water III other and fully as competent
hands Tor analysis, ana find out what It's
quality really is. He thought that an
appropriation OF $500 was entirely inade-
quate to proper investigation; 5000
would be better. This is very serious
and important question and q mistake
would be fatal. Il penny wise and
pound foolish economy here would be
very short sighted.
The matter should be so thoroughly in
vestigated by the city, even though il
cost the latter amount. 1t would be
cheaply spent. He had thought the water
tirst-class. but Professor Rising's report
had unsettled his mind. He was in
clined To think that the river water, il
filtered, would come nearer being what
was wanted all round than any other that
can be found.
Dr. Glow said that the matter was a
serious one for the city and required care
ful consideration by the board. The
analysis of Professor Rising and Mr..
Ray agreed closely, but their conclusions
differ somewhat. He was inclined TO
think that filtration of the river water
would be too expensive. 1t might be
we'll TO appoint committee of the board
to investigate the matter Of filtration.
A great many people think hard water
responsible for calcular diseases, but he
did not think that the opinion of the
medical profession would bear them out.
The presence of twenty-one grains of
solid matter was considered by the au-
thorities to leave the water OF a good
quality for drinking.
He believed that it was the duty of the
Board of Health to investigate the matter
on all sides, and he did not see how it
could give an opinion on the subject
without doing so.
DR.. Gardner said he thought it would
be well to bring in water and let all who
wish try it and test it for their various
uses. He thought the analysis showed
il to be good enough for any one to
drink; now, is it good for other uses?
DR.. Glow thought the city now has q
chance to get clear water, which may not
come to it again for long time.
In answer to question by DR.. Hunting
ton Mr.. Lawton stated that there was
some doubt as to the legality OF the eiec-
ton, and the City Attorney was now ex-
aiming that point.
DR.. Gardner said he thought it would
be well TO defer the matter until the board
can get more light on the point.
DIR. Glow favored appointing two COM
mittees, one TO find out the cost and
practicability of filtration, and the other
upon the quality of the water.
Lawton said that the claim was made
that there was better water 10 be found
farther east, where there were gravel beds.
If this water is found unfit, il would be
we'll to look further. The city needs clear
water. The Trustees feel that way and
that the matter must not stop here.
DR.. Gardner's motion 10 postpone the
matter until the City Attorneys opinion
on the legality of the election is received
was carried.