Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-06-02

pear in the fermentation tubes This
result harmonizes entirely with my earlier
determinations that when the Potomac
water Is turbid 1t is unfit for human con-
sumption. Not only does II contain at such
times a large number of bacteria but many
of these have a fecal origin and are prob
ably derived from cultivated MANFRED land
When. on the other hand it is free of sus-
pended matters, the fecal species disappear
THE preliminary differences from the bac-
teriological examinations are that
l. The ground water collecting in most of
the wells examined is quite thoroughly de-
priVed or bacteria in percolating through
the soil
2. In none of the wells examined. with the
possible exception of 18th and southwest,
can the direct infiitration of sewage be
predicated.
3. Wells containing over 100 bacteria in a
cubic centimeter are probably defective in
construction. and should be examined.
A.. Wells containing focal bacteria are
PROBABLY Infected from the surface, and
should be carefully examined. IT, after
thorough cleaning and repairing, they per-
i 5. t X@Wa ae from the following wells is
in good condition: l. 18th and New York
avenue northwest Franklin Park spring..
north side. . 18th and New York avenue
Franklin Park spring.. south side g. 10th
and X northwest. 4. 33d and y northwest
B-Water from the following contains no
focal bacteria. but ought to be improved:
.. Virginia avenue southwest between 10th
and 18th. 6. sth and E southwest. 4 10th
ana Corcoran northwest. s. 18th and c
southwest Qately closed up).
C-Water from the following wells con-
tanned, among others, very small number
or bacteria whose fecal origin is doubtful:
.. 18th and northwest. TO- o2d and d
northwest. IL. d southwest between 9th
and 10th.
D-Water from the following wells con-
tanned fecal bacteria either indicated or
isolated and identified: r. 14th and B south
ed md
la avenue southwest-lately closed I'D lac
tuaiiy 1solated). II. 37th and o northwest
uli9csted IN fermentation tubes). Is. Dist
and r northwest Indicated in fermentation
tubes) 10. 18th and f northeast 0ndica ted
In fermentation tubes).
An examination of the table ACCOMPANYING
TINS report viii show that some of the
suspected wells contain a very small num-
Der or bacteria. Thus 18th and r north
east contained only per cent; 21st and +
northwest. only 43 per cent. Such wells re-
be condemned
u Potomac water. when turbid. always
contains bacteria Of focal origin. When in
us normal condition they are scarce or
absent. Ihese fecal ha cteria probably come
from animal excrement
IN endeavoring to make any suggestions
concerning the disposition of the city pumps
we are confronted by n difficlllt task There
are a large number of wells within the CITY
limits which supply the people near them
with cold, palatable water during the sum-
mer. The meteorological examination is on
the Wnole favorable to them, for the wafer
collecting in them contains relatively few
bacteria. They are not uniformly reliable
however, and the question arises how the
standards should be adopted in the process
Ihtli Potomac water is decidedly improved
1 cannot recommend the entire removal OF
the city wells. as the water, In some Of
tnein at least, Is superior to Potomac water
at any time. Before undertaking This In.
Vestlgatlon 1 was prejudiced against all
Wells am compelled to modify INV posi
snlts so oh,asn In consequence of the re-
suits OBTAINED. There are undoubtedly
some good wells which should not be closed
up unless they deteriorate 1t is more than
PROBABLE that small number of bad wells
are responsible for much disease These can
only be discovered by an examfnation ~ oil
TO meet the difficulty, have Thought ont a
rev suggestions, which may be Summarized
as follows:
l. All wells which do not seem to be neces.
sary-wells but little used and in nroxinoity
TO others-should be closed up An wells
near large sewers or near sewers, which in
rne est,nation of the District authorities are
most likely, from their construction. to
leak at some unexpected moment should
also be abandoned S"oNu
The condition of all existing wells
should be made as perfect as possible and
the aim should be to convert thor, info ualls
ticable. "S piac
3. All wells in use should he exam,ras
ii
IersDiy In the spring. or both In the sprine
anu TAI IL the water OF any well contains
,ai .nan ~ bacteria in &C. or IL 1t con-
up, provided the construction cannon he
improved N"'iio' DC
l. Wells considered safe should he so
s saoeiea oy the Sanitary League for the in
formation OF the people using their,
Inc league should consider the adyisabil,tv
OF extending the use of such pure water as
s,e rrsnklin Park spring. The public taps
lie
controlled by single bacterioloCical evan
be wasted. a io'
.. Every effort should be made 70 have 70
inoFei' either by sedimentation or filtration
the suspended matter in Potomac water
D. IN order that the causes of tvnboia
nnortailty may be more successfully located.
tne sanitary League should call the atten'
ton or the public to the possible dangers
lurking In the water supplies of summer
resorts. those daily frequented by the pop-
ulatlon or this city during the summer
months, as well as those which are sst,,atej
at long distances. and not accessible TO the
league or the sanitary authorities of the
DIR. News Examination.
the results of DR.. News chemical exam-
nation of samples of water are presented
in tabulated statement. In an accompanv.
ing letter he says: II shall not here venture
upon discussion of the merits on the one
hand and the shortcomings on the othar %
chemical methods for ascertaining the quail
ity OF water. Nor would 1t be proter here
to discuss the most feasible way of combat
ing the possible evil results which NAV
dolow the use of well waters. In the one
case. while 1t must be acknowledged that we
nave much TO learn in this branch of SAN
itary chemistry, Unreasonable good has
peen done by our methods, such as they are
AS to the other. work in COMMITTEES is the
best way of reaching the desired end. And
apropos of this / should state that II Is re-
ported to me by my assistants, who collect
the waters for analysis, that in many cases
the protection of wells from surface wash
ings appears to be very inadequate"
n,