The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-03-17

siNe attendants, aud however good the
results, which are. not, criticised, the
whole affair is open TO the caution sug-
gested by Mr.. Hazen.
1t does not appear that any economy
would result from the use of chemicals
in purifying the water, but the contrary
is believed to be true. Your committee
has given careful attention to this mat
ter, has held numerous meetings and cal
led before 1t those persons who, IL was
thought, might give useful information.
The system Of slow sand filtration OF the
public water supply in operation at Law
renee, Mass, was visited and carefully
examined, as was also the uable Ex-
pertinent Station OF the Massachusetts
State Board OF Health in that city. Mem
hers of the committee have visited the
pumping station and the proposed site OF
a filtration plant at Pettaconsett, and the
Sockanosset reservoir grounds, and have
endeavored generally TO 50 inform them
selves as to reach a safe opinion ss TO
what should be done to improve the
water supply.
Tne Superintendent of Health. DIR.
Charles v. Chaplin, stated TO the commit
tee that he thinks the Pawtuxet water
typhoid fever have occurred from Paw
tuxet water. lie thinks that TO go to the
head waters of the river for supply Is
not now feasible, and therefore he recon-
mends that the water be filtered where II
is now taken. He thinks mechanical FL
tration is preferable as being safer and
easier to control, but there is influential
objection TO the use OF alum. He agrees
with the city engineer as TO the desirable
depth of sand and .the depth OF water,
and thinks the rate of filtration should
be about 2.0C0,00J gallons Per acre per
day. 1t is hardly likely that we shall
have covered filters, and therefore the
oh ha larn ig
that the city should build a slow sand
filtration plant under the present circum-
stances.
Mr.. Weston, the assistant who had
charge under the city engineer OF the ex-
periments on a mechanical filter model at
Pettaconsett, stated TO the committee
that he thinks the. rate OF filtration ought
TO be two million gallons per acre per
day. The rate has greatly lessened in the
practice of water works in London of late
years. Me thinks filter beds should be
covered in this climate to facilitate clean
ing, but this might be done away with
by having larger area. he thinks as
good results can be got by mechanical as
by sand filsration. A suitable system OF
slow sand filtration would be a good
thing for the city OF Providence, and we
ought to have filtration. He would use
mechanical filtration by choice, because
he,thnks 1t Is cheaper, but he would
recommend the Sduu ultfhiiOu NJ the
same cost per million gallons.
Questions as TO the best mode OF con-
struction and the proper area for filters,
whether mere or less and the depth and
arrangement of filtering materials, are
matter of detail for determination by ex-
perts, and IT is to be supposed that such
matters will not be finally settled with
out careful consideration and the best
available advice.
While the question of cost should be
the last thing to be considered where the
health and lives OF the public are invoiv-
ed, yet, viewed from this point, your
committee believes that liberal expen-
diture for filtration will so much increase
the revenue from water takers by the
substitution of filtered water for spring
water, and otherwise, as to make the ex-
penditure very profitable business un-
dertaking, and that, too, without increas
ing the water rates to the city or to any
other taker, and, of course, without
any increase of taxation.
Respectfully submitted for the COM
mittee. EDWIN ID. McGUINNEss.
Mayor and Chairman.