The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-07-07
The Subject Once More
Under Discussion.
TWO SYSTEMS DISCUSSED
Special Committee Talking Of Max
ing Visit to Elmira
TO INSPECT A FILTER PLANT.

Once again the subject OF filtration
of the water of the Pawtuxet river
has come to the front. and another ef-
fort is to be made TO do something
towards bringing about its publication
by either natural or sand filtration or
by mechanical filtration. There ap-
pears to be a division of opinion as to
which is the better OF these two sys-
TENS, and this difference is not con-
fined by any means to the lay mind
alone. but is to be found In the ranks
OF the physicians OF this city.
Some of these gentlemen go so far
as to say that they see no necessity
of spending a large sum OF money in
purifying the water of the Pawtuxet
river. because there is no need OF such
publication, the water being in excel
lent condition as IL is. 1t Is but fair
to say. however, that the supporters of
this view are few and far between.
Others hold that ii would be almost
criminal to adopt any system of filtra-
tion In which chemicals are TO be used
as coagulant, as they claim that these
chemicals, particularly alum, would
make the water far worse for house,
hold consumption than do the impuri-
ties which 1t is proposed to remove.
LIQUID IMPURITIES.
There is still another faction which
claims that no matter what system OF
filtration Is used IL will be inadequate,
for the most dangerous elements in the
water are of a nature that cannot be
removed by filtration, there being no
particle of solid matter about these
poisonous substances which could be
eliminated by sand. The grave danger
comes from liquid that Is assimilated
opinions expressed, there is no known
method of bringing about publication
In such eases.
The majority, however. appears TO
favor natural or sand filtration, for
they believe that such filter does
purify the water, In addition to pre-
venting foreign and deleterious sub
stances from flowing into the service
pipes. The system which Mr.. Morrison
desires to introduce in this city, and
which II is understood is favored by
Councilman Swarts, chairman of the
joint special committee on filtration or
the City Council. is not very generally
favored, as II is system which en-
ploys chemicals thatit is claimed can
not but be injurious to the public
health.
1t is not only the public. however.
which Is opposed to mechanical filtra-
tion, for IL is stated that several mem
bers of the City Council committee are
also opposed to that system. The COM
mittee consists of Mayor Baker. Com
missioner of Public Works Smith, Su-
of Health Chaplin. City
Engineer Clapp, Councilmen Swarts,
Trask and Kelley, and AL
dermen Lowe, McGann and Vincent
While these gentlemen do not care to
talk for publication at this time, II is
known that they are divided I'm opinion
as to the best method of filtration, IL
any, to be employed.
NATURAL FILTRATION.
The natural or sand filtration system
has been tried in several cities and in
some places has given satisfaction.
This is true of the plant at Lawrence,
Mass, which, according To the reports
of the officials OF that city, has greatly
improved the quality of the drinking
water.
1t is understood that the special COM
mittee of the City Council is talking
of visiting Elmira, N. Y. where a me-
chanical plant Is being built, and also
where a large natural filtra-
ton plant is being built, but nothing
definite has vet heeu decided upon