The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-07-10
1T is TIME NOW TO ACT
AND REMOVE THIS SOURCE OF
COMMUNICATIONS.
HAS ALREADY BEEN CONDEMNED
Or. James Mckee and DR.. R. II. Lewis Both
Agree that the CasiIebury Mill Pond
Threatens the Serious Contamination
Of the CitYs Water Supply.

Works Company fails TO conform strictly
with the provisions of its written con
tract with the authorities of the city.
and just so long as it fails to keep m
violate its unwritten agreement with It's
patrons. which is ten times more sacred
good, wholesome water absolutely free
from any possible germs of disease. and
separated forever from any probable or
even possible local cause Of contamna-
ton. just so long will the public cry out
against the company and every now and
then emphasize their complaint with the
weight of expert reports and testi-
mony.
The water question for any city or
community in this age of scientific en-
lightenment is most important queS-
ton. and one in which every man. wo-
man and child in the community has Il
direct interest. 1t is not all the work
of a water supply company to dam up
n stream, lay pipes. pump water through
them and collect the rentals, and pay big
watered stock.
1t is their duty to know just what
kind of water they are delivering
laws of enactment require thls-the laws
of humanity demand it.
1t has not been great while ago
since a dead horse was found slowly
rotting on the watershed of the Raleigh
Water Works Company. An effort was
In m no hnt
that incident there was no danger of
contamination. but mighty howl went
up, and there was no rest until the dead
horse was removed
few months later the people living in
the southern suburbs Of the city made
complaint of the stagnant old Jones and
Powell pond that was then being main
tanned by the Water Works Company.
just south of the city. The hottest kind
Of fight was made in the courts. the
Water Company employing the best
counsel and fighting with all its vigor
against the abatement Of the nuisance
but a Wake county jury said that the
pond was a nuisance. n menace to the
health of the community. and that the
dam must be torn away-and it was
done.
careful investigation of the watershed
renort that it finds mill rond main
tanned on Walnut Greek above the
intake. that is liable to contaminate the
citys supply of water. and is therefore !:
menace to the health Of the community.
The report is made by Col. A. w. Shat
fer. who was appointed by the State
Board of Health to make an investg.-
ton of the public water works under the
following section Of an act passed by the
General Assembly and ratified March /.
1883:
"Sec. 18. Water and Water Supply
The State Board Of Health shall have
the general oversight and care of all
inland waters and shall from time to
time, as it may deem expedient cause
examinations of the said waters to be
made for the purpose of .ascertaininc
whether the same are adapted for use
as sources Of domestic water supplies
or are in a condition likely to impair
the interests of the public or persons
lawfully using the same. or imperil the
public health. For the purposes aforc-
said it may employ such expert assist
ance as may be necessary"
The investigation was made and Col
Shaffer submitting the report finds that
what is known as Little Yates mill pond
now owned by l.. ID. Castleberry, is
liable to seriously contaminate the wiz
ter supply for Raleigh. 1t will be re
membered at least by the members OF
the medical profession. that when the
Board of Aldermen was considering the
question Of granting Il franchise to the
Water Works Company. the Board II
Health. comprised Of the physicians al
the city, explicitly recommended as ono
of the conditions that no pond
should be allowed on Walnut
Creek above the intake. 1t seems, how
ever, that this condition was not en-
bodied i'll the franchise granted. There
is Il provision, however. requiring the
water supply to he taken from a point
on Walnut Creek above any possible
source of contamination from sewer
age" ~ Gag
But whether the franchise protects the
people or not. there are general laws
enough to protect them. and il this
pond is a menace to public health, than
it must go, and that's all there is of it.
DR.. james Mckee. chairman of thu
Board of Health. says that the pond
should be removed. Indeed. he con
demned the pond three years ago. am
it should have been removed long ago
DIR. Mckee says now that the natura
decay of vegetable matter accumuldtin.
M this pond will produce albumanon
ammonia and contaminate the water.
DIR. II. Fl. Lewis is clearly of the opin
ion that the pond is liable to contaminat,
our water supply andsbreed disease.
1t is perfect garden spot, says DR.
Lewis, for the propagation Of typhoit
germs. if they should. bv any manner
be washed into the pond. The risk j,
too great. 1t is somebody's business t,
look further into this matter. and it i
everybody's business to see to it that
the water that our people drink shall
be free from the germs Of disease.
Dr. Mckee says that the water nov
is good as shown by analysis, hut h,
admits that it may at any time becom,
impure and dangerous because Of tn,
existence of this pond.
1t will be too late to correct the evi
after the threatening pond has begun it:
deaHy work.