The record-union., 1899-07-09
SCIENTIFIC EXAMINATION OF
WATER.

Lie WdtcTt Qu6StlOQ Is one OI dDOuilo-
ing interest, in Sacramento. Since the
wider the knowledge of the question
and all it's details the greater the like
lihood of a safe and economic solution
of it-for we must arrive at a solution
presently-the facts concerning bac-
THEOLOGICAL examination of water
should be known, especially as the ad-
visory committee on the local water
to report upon the quality of waters
proposed for city adoption.
Recently two scientists were select
ed to make meteorological examina-
ton of certain filtered water in this
city, and their reports were published
in these columns from day to day.
Their correctness has never been ques-
toned. These reports proved that the
system Of filtration employed re-
moved a very large percentage of bac-
terra, something like 95 to SO per cent,
we believe.
A paper IN the Municipal Engineer
ing Magazine" for July-a periodical,
by the way. which every municipal
Official in the land ought to read, since
1t represents all the latest discovery,
research, science and art in municipal
economics-Professor Belle, of the
Ohio State University, has a most in
feresting paper on the practical value
of meteorological examination of
water. In that paper the analyst calls
attention with much emphasis to the
protest against expressing the results
of bacteria removed in per cents. while
he insists at the same time that in
bacteriology we have the best method
Tor gauging the work of filters and
coagulants. The per cent. system of
reporting results, however, is often
misleading, for to say that SO per cent.
OF bacteria of 100000 originally found
have been removed means one thing.
while SO per cent. of 100 means an
pther thing.
In the reports made last March of
filtered water the examiners avoided
the protest of Professor Bleile, and
gave the actual number found in a
given quantity of water and the ac-
fual number excluded by filtration, as
well as the percentage. In all the ex-
aminations, therefore, that are now to
.be made the same process should be
pursued and probably will be- But It
may happen that outside of the work
OF the scientists we will be treated to
percentage proofs" which will fall
Within the protest of Professor Bleile,
and may thus mislead
But the higher value Of the article is
IN the assertion and proof that while
bacteriological examination of water is
Invaluable, it should be had in con-
junction with the chemical and engi-
neering side Of sanitary water Up to
about ten years ago he says the only
means employed of judging of the SAN
itary position of water was chemical
examination, yet by that method it
could not, after all possible labor, be
told when water might or might not
be safe in its use as potable water.
meteorological examination, however,
in conjunction with chemical tests fur
nish us the highest known possibilities
for determining the sanitary value of
water for domestic uses. In the
examinations about to be made there
fore by the advisory committee of citi-
zens called into action by the City
Trustees both methods should be en-
ployed, and in no case should percen-
tages alone be trusted.
!. But Professor Bleile assures us that
Rfter all determination that certain
diseases are due to certain bacteria,
we have not in meteorological exam
ination actual proof of the fitness of
water for drinking purposes. What
then is the value of such examina-
ton? The question he answers in the
paper referred to. It is feasible, he
declares. to determine the number OF
bacteria in given sample Of water.
but the method Is imperfect, as no me-