Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-31
Investigation Of the Senate District
Committee.
DIFFERING SYSTEMS OF FILTRATION
Hearing to Be Given Experts in
New York City.
AFTER THE BEST PLANT

Fuller, who is connected with the plan for
installing a filter at Louisville, KY, and
Paterson. N. j., came to this city Saturday
afternoon and made a preliminary examina-
ton of the filtration plant here as far as
1t has been constructed. 1t is not generally
known that considerable progress has been
made by the building Of a receiving reser-
voir which will hold the filtered water prior
to it's distribution throughout the city. The
problem to be solved before the work is
pursued further is the kind Of filter that is
to be used. The location Of this receiving
reservoir and the filter is west of the head
of 1st street near the entrance to the Sol
diers' Home grounds.
Mr.. Fuller went over the work already ac-
complished by Col. Miller. in charge of the
Washington aqueduct. and found that GER
tain Information necessary for the compile
adopted vas not complete. 1t was then ar
ranged that Mr.. Fuller, Mr.. Rudolf Her
ring. the editor of the Engineering Record
of New York, and Mr.. Allen Hazen, who
constructed the sand filters at Albany, N.
Y, and who is the author of one of the
most extensive treaties on the subject OF
filtration, should each take up special line
Of investigation and obtain the necessary
and, after consultation, should make re-
port to the District committee.
Operation Of the Two Systems.
The problem of filtration in the District of
Columbia involves two important ques-
tcns, one being to get filter that will re-
move the turbidity from the water at all
times and the other to get system that
will in the largest degree possible remove
from the water forms of disease germs. In
the north, where the water accessible to
large cities is clear, the only object to be
tot, %~ oy,1
there is what is known as the Slow sand
filter has been generally adopted with
great success. But it is claimed that in the
case Of water of great turbidity the slow
sand filter cannot be relied at all times
to produce perfectly clear water. and that
some coagulant, such as alum, Is neces-
sary in order to induce rapid precipitation.
Here comes in the argument in favor Of
the mechanical filter, which also Is sand
filter, but through which the water passes
very rapidly, and in which a crystalline
water is obtained by the use of alum as
coagulant.
: But advocates of the slow sand filter
claim that while g. clear water is secured
by this means typhoid fever germs are not
greatly reduced, and that where this sys-
tenn has been adopted very slight decrease
of typhoid fever has followed, whereas that
disease has been almost entirely eliminated
where the slow sand filter has been put in.
Clear. water is in itself largely in the ma
ture of a luxury, but the elimination or re-
Last year there were 220 deaths from ty-
phoid fever in the District of Columbia,
which occurred In about 200 cases. 1t Is
regarded possible by physicians to prevent
two-thirds of these cases and deaths by
proper filtration Of the water. The Medical
Society of the District of Columbia and the
committee public health of the board Of
trade have both advocated the slow sand
filter as the only means for effectually re-
ducing typhoid fever cases. and they base
their claim on voluminous statistics which
they have gathered from cities in this coun-
try and abroad, where the two kinds of
filters have been introduced. r.
FavOrs the Mechanical System.
Col. Miller. in charge Of the Washington
aqueduct, in his report to Congress ad-
vocated the introduction here Of the me-
chanical filter, claiming that it was the
only effective means for making Potomac
water clear at all times, and that it had
proved as effective as the slow sand filter
in eliminating disease germs. He, too,
based his statement as to the eliminat ton
Of disease germs on statistics concerning
the experience of other cities.
The subject of water filtration has re-
ceived very exhaustive and widespread at
tention in this country during the past
couple of years, SO that the District OF
Columbia will have the benefits of many
examinations on this subject.
After full investigation the city of
st. Louis has lately adopted the mechani-
cal system of filtration and many advo-
Gates Of that system declare that no other
system will prove satisfactory for cities
supplied with turbid water, such as Is
found in many western cities and In .re
District. Colonel Miller has claimed that
there would be severe criticism II a f1ltra-
ton plant were put in here at the expense
Of several millions of dollars II it did not
make the water clear. It is also claimed
that the popularity Of the mechanical filter
has been growing during the last few years,
as shown by the increased number Of such
filters being introduced in large cities.
Hearing In New York.
At the hearing, which the Senate commit
tee on the District Of Columbia will hold
in New York city next Friday, the respec-
tive advantages Of both the slow I'd and
the mechanical filter will be thoroughly in
vestigated. Colonel Miller. who dvocatss
the mechanical filter. and Health Officer
Woodward, who believes in the slow sand
filter, will be present, and each will have
abundant opportunity to question the wit
nesses 80 that he will be able to develop
to the fullest extent all points favorable TO
the system advocated by him.
Senator Mcmillan. chairman OF the COM
mittee. will be present. and Senator Gal
also be there. Senator Gallinger, being a
physician. will be especially qualified to In
vesttgate this subject. Mr.. Charles Moore.
clerk to tho District committee, who has
studied the subject OF filtration,
will also attend the hearing, at which it
Ii expected eight or ten men distinguished
for their knowledge Of the subject to be
considered and who have national reputa-
tions will be present.