Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-01-30

Barre, Jan. 23-The following report
from the State Board of Health in re-
gard to recent visit to this city has been
received by the local health officer:
Rutland, Jan. %. 1896.
c. M. scribner, NJ. D., Health officer, City
of Barre:
Dear Sir-Our visit to your city on Mon
day last, January goth and such inspection
of two of your water supplies as we were
able to make developed the following
facts.
The Hersey supply is taken from a very
small brook, at point well above the
city as whole but not above all the
houses The water from this brook was
formerly filtered through two brick walls
before entering the pipes, but for some
reason Mr.. Jersey stated to us he had
knocked out a brick Of each of these
walls, so that the water is now practical
ly unfiltered. Above the intake pipe of
this supply are at least three Inhabited
houses where drainage must flow directly
into this brook. There is also barn
which was paced by one of our party as
five PAGES from the ice at the edge OF the
brook. In this barn at the time of our
visit were a horse. COW, pig and q
flock of hens. The drainage from this
building must polute the water OF this
brook continually. We noticed also con-
siderable land above this brook on which
manure was said to have been recently
spread, and which must wash more or less
directly into the brook.
The conditions mentioned as existing
about this brook are sufficient TO condemn
1t as a source of water for domestic use
Even the reconstruction of the brick walls
mentioned would not relieve the water of
suspicion, and we cannot advise the use
OF the water for drinking or other do
nestle use.
The other supply to which our atten-
ton was called was that taken from a
stream on the road to Bast Barre. The
water Is taken from point three or three
and half miles from the city. where the
stream is damned for the purpose About
one-half mile above the intake Is village
whose population we were told was largely
made up of foreigners and whose houses
and shops are either directly on the stream
or some of its small tributaries, or SO
situated as to drain into them. In this
village of East Barre we were informed
were approximately 1000 people. The pres
ence of this population 30 near the intake
of this water supply leaves no room for
doubt as to the danger which must attend
the use of the water. single case of ty-
phodd fever in the village of East Barre
would endanger the lives of all the users
of this water; while the use of the water
at any time must be unhealthy.
In view of the facts briefly stated we
would respectfully suggest: First, that all
the users of the water mentioned be i'm
mediately cautioned to either boil the
water before drinking 1t or filter 1t through
a stone or earthcnware filter, which Is
germ-proof.
Second, that the city take prompt meas
ures to obtain new supply free from the
dangers that surround those mentioned.
1t is possible that the supplies spoken of
may be both improved system of sand
liberation like that in use at Lawrence
Mass, might be depended upon to purify
these supplies. Systems of sewers for all
buildings above each of these intakes
which should empty the sewage below
each might also relieve to certain extent
each from appreciable contamination
Either of these experiments would be
costly and would entail constant care on
the part of the city to ensure the purity
of the supplies. We must therefore adj
wise that the best means of relieving the
present and prospective needs of the city
Is the one mentioned of seeking elsewhere
new sources of water free from all danger
OF animal or vegetable contamination.
Respectfully submitted
State Board of Health,
c. S. CAVERLY, NJ. d.