Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-20
Subject Discussed Before the National
Geographic Society.
The SOURCES OF CONTAMINATION
Filtration Beds Recommended as
the Only Sure Remedy.
sAMPLES OF BACTERIA

K Sprague of the marine hospital service
before the National Geographic Society last
night. 1t was In connection with discus
sion upon the pollution Of Washington's
water supply. participated in also by Prof
A. P. Davis. photographer of the United
States geological survey.
The small but intensely interested audi
ence which listened to the reading Of the
scientists papers was treated to a graphic
exposition Of the causes of the water pol
luton, and a dissertation upon the results
that might be expected therefrom. By
means Of lantern slides Prof Davis ex-
hibited photographs Of scenes along the
headwaters of the Potomac river. showing
the mills, sewers and other sources Of con-
tamination. in such realistic way as to
frequently cause his audience shudder Of
disgust.
DR.. Sprague added to the chapter of hor-
rors by flashing upon the screen divers
magnified samples of bacteria, bacillus, ETC..
such as inhabit the water coolers of the
citizens who use unfiltered hydrant water.
There were the bacillus of typhoid, diph-
liberia, consumption and various minor all
ments. 1t was admitted that no typhoid
bacilli. however, had been found in the
Potomac water examined at Washington.
Opinions Differ Widely.
The discussion was opened by Prof. Davis,
who prefaced his paper with the remark
that opinions differ widely as to whether
the pollutions are negligible or may be
sources of ever-present danger to the COM
munity," and that until those best in
formed upon the subject can agree in detail
1t Is not desirable to call public attention
to the matter too emphatically." In any
event. he said. it is highly injudicious to
exaggerate or unduly dwell upon the pos
sible dangers
Prof. Davis then proceeded to state briefly
the results of the examinations of the water
supply of this city, which had been car
rled on during the past season by the geo.
logical survey.
He said the water in the river was I'M
usually low during September and October
AT that time a number of assistants were
sent to the headwaters of the various trib-
utar1es. with instructions to follow the
streams. measure the volume at short In
tervais. note the use of the water for power
and other purposes. and record the sources
or pollution. AT the same time samples of
the water were taken and forwarded to
the marine hospital laboratory in Washing
ton.
The Objectionable Refuse.
It was found that all along The streams
various towns empty sewage directly into
the river. and manufacturing establish
ments, pulp mills, tanneries. &c. discharge
chemicals and various refuse The worst
conditions exist in the vicinity of Cum
DeriaEd, where the waters are particularly
with the water from the mines and waste
from manufacturing establishments
snort distance below Cumberland is a
Gam backing up the water for several
miles. and forming pool in which all of
the filth OF this rela lively fhickly populat-
ed region collects. From this same pool
the city of Cumberland derives it's water
tut seems to thrive upon it. The vile con-
dltlon OF the water has been caller to the
attention of the citizens of Cumberland mar
ucularly by the fact that pulp mill about
thirty miles above is discharging colored
huid into the stream, accentuating the al
ready bad condition.
In the Shenandoah valley the streams
are relatively pure, the principal sources
of pollution being the tanneries situated
on various tributaries and the pulp mills
at Harper's Ferry. The towns, however
discharge considerable quantity of sew
age into the stream. The volume of water
is so great that the sewage Is, of course
greatly diluted. and most of the chemical
by exposure TO light and air. 1t may be
SAID that If all of the filth from the vi
cinity of Cumberland and above this point
could be cut off the Potomac water would
stances.
Percentage of Water Flow.
The water supply for Washington is OBJ
tanned by an aqueduct heading above Great
Falls. and in times of extreme low water
flow OF the river. At other stages the per.
centage becomes far less. The sewage
from the vicinity of Cumberland and other
towns Will require from two to four days
or even more, to reach the Washington
aqueduct. and by the time it Is very, dilute
and probably most of the organic matter
has disappeared.
In the case of pathogenic germs how
ever. ;here Is reasonable cause for doubt
as to whether this short exposure to light
and air will modify or destroy them. For
example, Prof. Davis said, the bacillus of
typhoid fever has been stated to live in
ice for over hundred days and to retain
vitality in soil fer year.
If such organisms are habitually dumned
into the water from various settlements
along the banks of the stream it would
seem highly probable, he said, that they
must IN part enter the Washington aoue-
Duct within srch short time that the ytr-
ulence Is not impaired. The matter how
ever, is one upon which experts have not
given decided statements. and more inves-
tlgation may be needed upon the bacterio-
logical side. The failure to find such or
ganisms cannot be regarded as conclusive
evidence of their non-existence as the
water samples vary so greatly from hour
to hour. Or when taken from different To-
caiitieS.
Prof Davis presented a photograph of
boys in boat on the waters of a Potomac
tributary at Cumberland, taking fish from
the water that had been killed by its i'm
discharges over 100000 gallons of liquid in
to the river each day. The liquid is heav-
lily laden with sulphuric acid and fannie
acid.
POllutinG Organisms.
Dr. Sprague followed Prof. Davis In de-
scribing the sources of pollution, he said a
certain number of organisms are washed
into the water supply from the unpolluted
soil. and certain number come from the
air. but by far the largest part of the pol
Iuting organisms come from stables, vaults
and sewers. Washington receives the sew
age of Frederick. Cumberland and Harpers
Ferry. besides that of the $4,000 inhab-
itants Of the valley outside of those towns
The doctor gave a history Of the bacte-
biological work of the marine hospital SER
vice during the past six years. Since July
1 of this year semi-weekly examinations
of the Potomac water have been made.
Samples were taken from a constantly
running tap close to the main, and repre-
scented fairly the water as it Is found after
leaving the reservoir.
The number Of organisms in the water
varied from $50 to teaspoonful to 20, 900
to a teaspoonful. with an average of some
thing over 1000 to q teaspoonful. Since
August intestinal bacteria had been found
| In every sample, with possibly one excep-
| ti0n In addition n fok