The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-06-05
No, ! think not; the results are. practI-


States.
Yes. .tt
And have not the bacteria decreased sc
per cent. since then? Yes; but the adj
vantage of a filter is to prevent for the
future the danger to public health from
whatever germs OF disease may hereafter
get into the Pawtuxet river. The result
OF the filter will be to effectually prevent
any epidemic in this city which might he
caused by its drinking water. And to
have this safe water II would only cost
about fifteen cents year for each con-
sumer. 1t seems to me small amount OF
money to take into consideration when II
Is question OF whether we will have
water that is generally pure but may at
any time breed disease, or have water that
will be always pure. The real question
think should be not whether we filter or
not, but what method OF filtration shall
be adopted.
ical filtration meet with your own APP
proval?
At first was afraid that il would not
accomplish the work, but the experiments
which have been made have convinced me
that the system is altogether adequate.
In your Judgment would 1t be a serious
mistake IL the city refused to adopt the
plan presented by the commission?
III such refusal was followed by any long
delay in getting some good system of fl
tration j should think that 1t was very
serious mistake.
Mr.. Parkhurst-The cost OF natural
filter is $250,000?
Does that include the cost of covering
the bedf
No.
Is it not fact that in winter the for
nation of ice interferes very materially
with the working OF an uncovered filter
bed?
No moro than in the operation of an
open reservoir.
A cover for a lsrge natural filter bed
would be- very expensive?
The cost OF cleaning such filter bed
would be very great, would 1t not?
Yes.
Can not the natural filter be very easily
destroyed in the process of cleaning?
That has happened in cases where the
filter has been allowed to collect the or
ganic matter for too long time before
the cleaning.
Would there not be as much skill re-
quirei in taking care of a natural filter as
in taking care of mechanical filter?
Mr.. Knight-Could the system OF ar
Providence with adequate results?
1t is very doubtful.
Mr.. Angell-Is the bacteria as surely
taken from the water by natural filtration
as by mechanical.
The result il about-the same.
Suppose that we should have natural
filtration how much area would be re-
quired for the plant?
About six acres.
Would there be any process of cleansing
the sand by reversing the flow of the
water as is done with the mechanical
filters?
Yes; but the best method is not to dis
turb the sand at all, just remove from the
top as thin layer as possible when clean
ing is necessary.
Mr.. Sheahan--The first cost OF the
natural filter system would be $500 as
against s2S1,0OO for the mechanical
system?
Yes.
The cost OF maintaining the first would
be about two-thirds as much as that OF
the second?
Yes.
And the results of one are as good as
those of the other?
Yes.
MIR. Vaughan-Didn' the City OF Provi-
dence build a natural filter bed at Petta-
some thirty years ago?
No: there was something built there for
n settling basin and 1t Is still used for that
purpose, but not used as a filter.
Mr.. McCarthy-Are you familiar with
the New York Filter Company's system?
Yes.
How does it differ from the Morrison
Jewell system?
1t does not have the stirring apparatus.
Does it involve the use OF alum?
Yes.
1t it not fact that part OF the cost of
The system furnished by the Morrison
Jewell is to go for the royalty on the
plant?
/ have no doubt OF il.
Would there be any serious harm in de-
laying this matter for two weeks?
It Is just like insurance. Neglect to in
sure your building for two weeks and a
ire may come in the meantime. Neglect
10 have the filter system and there may
come an epidemic.
Mr.. Waterman--Wh is the daily con-
of water in this city?
Ten million gallons.
How many gallons per day does the pro-
posed filtration system provide for?
Fifteen millions.
Is there not much of the apparatus in
filter plant that would have
10 be renewed?
Yes; there is considerable part that
nay be classed IA machinery which would
have to be replaced every 20 years.
Mr.. Weston's Remarks.
Edmund B. Weston, who has had
,harge of the operation of the experi=
mental filters at Lechamont during the
,ast nine months, said at the outset
hat he had prejudice against the me-
hanical system. lie said, however,
hat at the close of the experi-
nents, the results had satisfied him that
he system was practicable and generally
satisfactory. He gave it as his opinion
hat natural filtration plant would
ost twice as much as a mechani-
al filtration plant. He estimated
hat the natural plant would cost
100000, and this docs not include
he covering OF the filter. The additional
ost of covering based upon the filter
ystem in Berlin increased the sum to
10000. He said that tho question rs to
whether the work would be as well
one the second year was dependent
pon the skill and efficiency of the man
cement. The use of quartz accomplished
etter results than the experience with |
and. There were less aluminium salt i'm
he filtered water than in its natural state.
ie estimated that a mechanical plant |
ould be put in in six months, while the |