The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1897-12-24
Water Supply Of oeala.

/
Repeated attacks which have been
made lately against our city water
nave induced me to look into this
matter somewhat more closely.
A superficial examination which |
made of the water in nay laboratory
shows that it in fact possesses n GER
tain defect. To do justice TO the mat
ter it has to be admitted that the loca-
ton of our town in this part Of Flor
ida on soil and territory penetrated by
calcareous matter accounts for this
fact, and under the circumstances il
is doubtful whether water of better
quality can be obtained right here
which is not saturated to some degree
with lime salts. Through the percen-
tage of such salts, especially the sui
phate and bicarbonate of lime the
water becomes hard which is mani.
tested when applied to domestic or
technical purposes in the following
manner:
lst. 1t has q diletcrious action on
he tissues of the stomach and intes-
tines aud Oh the kidneys and bladder
as well, which bad effect is stiH more
intensified 10y the conditions Of the
climate in which we are living.
2nd. 1t makes the water unfit for
use in connection with soap through
the formation of insoluhle lime soap,
a greasy substance, as many Of our cit
liens will have noticed to their dis
comfort.
3rd. The cooking of many dishes,
such as beans, peas, etc, is rendered
difficult
4th. 1t leaves much residue when
evaporated, which restricts the use OF
the water for boilers, as many
housewives will have noticed abund-
ant deposits of lime formation in the
water kettles.
The question now arises before the
chemist how to remedy this evil, and
same can be done either by the water
works undertaking to transform the
hard water into soft. or else the con-
sumner can do FIR himself in his own
household.
Il can be accomplished by the use
Of chemicals, OF which the chenI est
will be carbonate Of sois. which has
% he minuiely weighed 5 grains for
81 lfr,s,. ,.fx D..
known under the name of crystal
lied soda aud is for sale at all grocery
stores
The application of this salt does not
precipitate the lime altogether, viii, h
would give the water a Tat taste, but
it destroys the bad quality in every
respect. The quality of soluble salts
which will be formed through this
process (sulphate Of sodium 005 per
cent? is so very small that it has no
bad effect on the system The water
thus treated has absolutely 10 bad
taste provided the instructions are car
ried out strictly, i. e.: grains to .
gallons of water.
1t is well understood that this refers
to Ocala city water as other waters,
which may be of n different COMPOST
ton will require a different proportion
to the quantity OF chemicals a. a To
apply the ingredients successfully,
take large pail Of Ocala city water
e! gallons and add ; grains crystal
lied soda and let settle, say over night,
after having mixed properly.
The larger portion of the lime con-
tanned in the water viii be precipita-
ted and settle at the bottom Us = crys-
taline deposit. With the lime othor
impurities which are contained in
the water will be precipits;ei 50 hat
the water becomes fit for an uses of
the household and the kitchen, for
drinking, cooking and washing pur-
poses.
1t is advisable to prepare sufficient
water at time to last several days,
especially since the cost of this pro-
cess is very small.
G. EISCHNER. chemist.