The record-union., 1899-10-28

worst, SO far as turbidity was con-
/ cerned
The present water supply of the city
of Sacramento is taken from the Sac
ramento River In front of the city about
half a mile below its confluence with
the American River At the pumping
| station this water is forced into the
city mains for distribution. There Is
no reservoir nor stand pipe in the city,
the system of distribution being that of
! direct pressure.
The pumping station contains one
/ 5000, 600 gallon Allis pumping engine,
which is new and apparently doing
| good service There is also a 5000, 900
| gallon Holly pumping engine, said TO
have been erected in 1872. This ma
chine is old and is reported as not being
in proper condition on account of its
age There is another pump in the
building of about the same capacity,
but it is reported to be entirely worn
out and not in use.
The amount of water required in the
city per day varies according to the
season. 1t was stated to me that the
average consumption in summer was
about 100000 gallons per day and in
winter about 100000 gallons per day.
Inasmuch as these quantities do not
contain an allowance for a slip in the
pump cylinders, they are therefore ex-
cessive.
/ The station further contains three
boilers carrying about 80 pounds OF
steam and said to be in good condition.
! The safe capacity of the pumps is re-
| ported to be insufficient for the sum-
mer supply and the old pumps should
therefore as soon as possible be re-
placed by at least one new one.
The chief trouble from which the city
is suffering at present is the turbidity
of the water during most of the year.
1t is therefore desired, either to get a
new supply furnishing clear water or
else to purify the present supply.
The analyses of the water of both
| rivers show it to be practically free
from injurious organic pollution. After
filtration it is very palatable. An ex-
ception is made, however, in the case
of the Sacramento River when, after a
large area of low land has been flooded.
the water recedes. It has then an uI-
pleasant vegetable taste, no doubt due
to its contact with the vegetation of the
| flooded land. The analysis further
showed that by far the greater part of
the suspended matter causing the tur-
bidity is Of mineral character. Most
Of it subsidies quickly when the water
is at rest Some of it, probably being
fine clay, remains to leave the water
discolored for at least several days.
| There is no noticeable difference in
the taste or in the hardness of the
waters Of the two rivers; in both of
them it is quite soft. It's quantity is
ample at all times to supply the city
with water.
The following projects or propositions
have been made to improve the supply
First-The Sacramento and American
Rivers are to be used as the source,
the water being taken at or near their
junction above the city. In order to
render this water satisfactory, it is nee
essary to filter it at all times, and dur
ing most Of the year, TO cause it to
pass also through settling basins, in
which the heavier suspended matter
can subside before the water is taken
by the filters. All of the water would
| require TO be pumped.
Second-Southeast Of the city, expert
ence with wells has indicated the ex-
istence of a possibly large supply of
ground water. This water is found at
a depth Of from twelve to 100 feet be-
low the surface, under an impervious
stratum. Numerous analyses have been
made of it, and most Of them have re-
vealed a water of good quality. It is
harder than river water, but not hard
enough to be Objectionable for domestic
purposes.
10, IA
has as yet been made of the availability
of this source TO supply the city of
| Sacramento. Presumably there is. as
in similar locations, a deep stratum of
gravel and glacial drift extending from
! the foothills into the plains and bear
| ing current of water, which, if it is
of good quality and of sufficient guam
tity, can furnish a good domestic sup
ply.
The original source of all ground
water is the rainfall The falling water
partly runs off on the surface immedi-
ately into brooks and rivers, and partly
percolates into the ground and flows
beneath the surface to a natural outlet.
If the ground is porous it can hold and
pass large quantity of water. If there
is continuous percoIation from the
rainfall and continuous discharge of
the ground water into water courses,
lakes or the ocean. there is established
a permanent underground flow OF
water, which in numerous cases has
been utilized for supplying cities.
The principal advantage of such
water is that organic impurities have
been naturally filtered out of the same
and that it has become spring water
Sometimes mineral impurities are dis
solved by the percolating water, MAX
ing it either hard or giving it an oh
/ jectionable taste.
In the present case the analyses do
not indicate that the water is objec-
tionable for the city's use. This state
ment will, however, remain true only
! if the large quantity required by the
city does not introduce unknown condi-
tions which may affect the quantity of
its mineral constituents, and true only
if no polluting organic matter is here
after discharged into the ground water
through deep cesspools drained into the
water bearing strata
AS ii is not probable, however, that
either the hardness or the organic pol
luton will be increased beyond that
shown in the present analysis, but
rather diminished, this source of sup
ply is also one which should be investi-
! gated. The ground water of course,
requires pumping, but no other treat
ment. It is therefore a less expensive
supply than the river water, which.
besides pumping, needs filtration.
Third-The North Fork Ditch Com