Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-08-13
THE WATER HARD TO FILTER.
An Experienced Chemist Points Out
Difficulties In the Way.

! To the Editor OF the Dispatch
| James river water Is contaminated with
clay. Is the clay OF any benefit to the
water? New York and other cities have
! been put TO great expense by the de-
structive properties OF the water 20 the
| pipes through which II passes, and va
rious plans have been devised for pre-
venting these effects. Pipes have been
lined with block tin and other substances
10 prevent the destruction of the iron
and lead pipes. Richmond has not spent
800 in sixty years for renewing pipes.
What IL the reason? A coating Of clay
has been deposited by the water on the
inner surface of the pipes and after
sixty. years the pipes are intact to-day.
have a piece of lead water pipe thai
was in use under ground for forty years.
Its inner surface is coated with a thin,
adherent deposit OF clay. but the iumen
is perfect. We have thus a perfect pro-
lection against wear and tear and chem-
cal action on the pipes, both iron and
lead.
Is the contact OF clay with the water
in the river OF any advantage? Let
Miller's Chemistry answer: 1T clay ex-
erts a very important purifying influence
upon water unprecedented VIII hlhANlf
and other substances which ind their
way slowly through the soil Indeed.
mere agitation OF such water with finely
divided clay is sufficient 10 remove a
considerable amount OF organic ana
saline matter previously In solution
James river water is peculiar and may
not easily be filtered. In fact, IL cannot
be filtered without the addition % 10 NJ
foreign substances. IL is very different
from the waters Of England. IL Is dit-
ferent from the Mississippi river water
ST. Louis sent its engineer 20 Europe a
few years ago 10 examine the altering
systems of its large cities. He reported
that IT was an axiom that water which
would not sediment could not be filtered
James river water passed successfully
through i've sheets OF altering paper
comes out unfiltered. Fifteen gallons
kept for three weeks is uusedmented
The water OF the Mississippi Is sed.-
mented in twenty-four hours. English
waters are easily filtered and hlterns
galleries are employed successfully. and
what was vile is rendered Comparatively
pure. chemically and mechanically.
The difficulty OF altering James-riyef
water lies in the fact that the sediment
obstructs the filter and refuses 20 let
the water pass. This obstacle IL overcoms
by the use OF chemical agents and me
question is now-not can James-riFer
water be filtered but are we willing 10
have IL done by the use OF chemical
agents, and 20 incur the expense OF ma
chinery? Are we willing 10 remove mo
clay coating Of the pipes which protects
them from chemical and mechanical con-
tact? The sedimentation OF the water lY
means OF alum I'm non-metallic vessels
as is frequently done in our city families,
is safe, efiieacious. and wholesome.
Or. Mallett says: TT Is undoubtedly
possible and practicable 20 hitter ths
whole OF the water supply for kicn-
mond"
A few years ago the Jewell plan VS.
offered 20 the city OF Richmond ana
nearly accepted. II was found 70 contain
alum enough 70 show the sulphuric acid
by test. and I suppose all the other plans
proposed demand alum. Alum Is Oble.-
tonable In a filter. "A solution OF alum
dissolves metals like sulphuric acid Win
evolution OF hydrogen" -Grahams Chem
istry.
Antwerp. In Belgium. has It's nltefins
done by means OF iron filings when ~
undoubtedly the best but there are 90
tections 20 that IL DR.. Malleit can pro.
pose plan without the use Of chemical
agents he will propose something 'ha'
has not already been proposed. ana We
shall DO much Obliged 20 him for MS IT.
formation, and be willing 10 pay fof pc.
This eminent chemist ana gentem""
lends the influence of his name 70
question, and does not intimate no" IL
can be solved
A settling reserves. such as has OeeN
proposed. will protect our source OF ~ai,l
supply from riparian contamination. anu