The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1896-04-03

sanitarians have proven that typhoid
fever, many malarial fevers, cholera,
and other diseases, are directly caused
by drinking water containing the spe-
cific germs of these diseases.
Statistics are accommodating every
year that show how certain the ban
ishment of these diseases follows the
supplying of pure water to the affected
towns. And now comes the report of
the Massachusetts State Board of
Health, with statistics showing how the
most foul water can be rendered pure
by filtration. 1t shows by systematic
series of experiments with all kinds of
filters, extending over seven years, that
not only can all the coarser particles
of matter held in suspension be re-
moved, but from SO to 1884 per cent.
of the bacteria also, and that at rea-
sonable cost.
With these facts before us, is it not
time to take steps to purify the water
supply of Honolulu?
Too much attention has hitherto
been paid to the physical comforts of
the town, and too little to its sanitary
needs. Next to an efficient system of
sewerage, the greatest need is pure
water, and it can easily be provided.
At present the town receives its water
supply from reservoir No. 1, in Nuuanu
Valley. That water enters the reservoir
system at Luukaha, where it is a beau
tiful, clear, potable water.
After entering the pipe at Luakaha
It flows into a great mud hole called
reservoir No. 3, where it Immediately
parts with its purity, and partakes of
the general shady character of the rest
of the contents. After some ten mil
lions of gallons have collected in this
reservoir, the overflow runs into reser-
voir No. 2, which is an abomination.
This reservoir is crossed by the Nuu-
anu road, and there being no protection.
it is nothing more than the cesspool for
the upper part of the valley, so placed
as to catch the filth that is washed
down with every rain.
The contents of these two reservoirs
supply the dynamos at the electric
light station with power, and after
serving this useful purpose flow into
reservoir No. 1.
Finally, this once pure, sparkling
water, now filth-laden and foul, some
times not fit to battle in, reaches our
homes, and in nineteen cases out of
twenty is drunk without further cere-
moHy.
No wonder that Honolulu is unheal-
thy, that fevers rage in all parts of the
town, that the death rate is dispropor
tionately high, and the sick rate still
higher!
Let the Government take this matter
in hand, correct the evil and reduce
the death rate OF the town at least 25
per cent.
One plan for supplying the inhabi-
tants with pure water would be to have
the water filtered by one of the several
processes in vogue in the United States,
after it leaves No. 1 reservoir. The
cost of the plant might seem large, but
the expense of running it after install
lation would be immaterial.
Another plan would be to do away
with the reservoirs altogether and pipe
the water direct from Luakaha, leav
ing the motive power for the electric
lights to steam rather than water
In this way the danger of disease
would be lessened beyond calculation.
One of these plans will no doubt be
adopted by the Legislature when the
matter is brought before the Senate in
a report now being prepared by mem
her of the Board of Health