The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-02-03

aminations OF the water of these wells
were made. 1t is more than probable
that il the artesian well water was led
into a clean. properly constructed and
protected reservoir an excellent water
supply would result Whether this
supply would be of sufficient quantity to
furnish the present consumers on the
line with proper amount of wate;, is an
other question to be answered only by
suaging the wells and reservoir.
SCOTT RESERVOIR
This is nothing more than q shallow
pond. Inasmuch as its supply seems to
he quite limited and there is but little
evidence OF much work having been ca
pended on 1t, ii is scarcely entitled to be
called reservoir: certainly not at the
time Of my visit. 1t Is my opinion that
this pond is too shallow to prove a sat
isiactorS source of supply during tn"
summer months when the amount of
water flowing in and out is doubtless
very small, thus giving rise to more or
less stagnation. Under such conditions
1t Is to be expected that the water would
become unsuitable for use owing to its
acquiring an unpleasant taste ard smell
due to the development of various low
forms of plant life. Such water while
not necessarily harmful Is generally un-
drinkable because of its nauseous odor
The character of the pond bed-old
stumps. mud, etc.--wCuld have a tend
ency to aggravate the trouble. There
are. however. some far more objectiuna-
bic features about this pond namely the
presence on its banks close to the water $
edge. of barns, barn yards, houses, etc.,
much of the drainage of which must.
perforce. eventually reach the water in
the pond. The situation can best be
summed up by the statement tnat Scott
reservoir and it's discharge Stream shows
either negligence or Indifference on the
part of the water company.
SUMMIT LAKE
The condition of Summit Lake is some
what better than that of the reservoir
just discussed, ye: here, too. the suppIv
appears to he limited and stagnation lia-
bic to result during the warm months.
ON Jan. the water was very low and
i was Informed that it had been so for
some months. this may account for un-
satisfactory condition Of the water as
shown by the analysis. 1t should be
noted, however, that the analytical re-
suits indicate that the water of Summit
Lake Is the best of the three samples
taken from the system of the Proyidence
ANALYSIS was procured near the foot of
the pond through a hole in the ice. The
results or the examination viii be found
under the designation of Sample 4 in
the data appended to this report.
summit lake discharges into a small
stream, which. flowing down the val
'e! tnaily reaches the lower reservoir
ht 'hi' ch'iia. In the course of its Jour-
noy 1t receives several tiny brooks. This
whole system from the pond down is in
uescribably bad. The sources of gross
poi!utioh which have been permitted to
exist are almost beyond belief. The
amount of filth carried down by The
stream must be excessive at certain sea
sons or the year. Cattle and pigs are al
loWeo To Wallow in it. barnyards, mig
pens and OuthOuses are drained into Il,
nousehOld waste is thrown into it: in
iact, worse state of affairs is haru to
imagine. With such evidences of pollu-
tion there Is no need of an analysis to
iead TO the conclusion that the water
from this supply is to be condemned as
unfit for household use. The running
or the discharge stream Of Summit lake
INTO the Chinchilla reservoir should he
PROMPTED until all source, of contami-
nation are removed. That the ANALYSIS
OF this stream Sample 30 does not show
the excessive pollution that might be ex-
pected from the environment is TO he ex
pianed by the fact that owing to the
very cold weather there was little chance
or the usual drainage reaching tho
stream, Sample = was taken a short
distance along the point where the
stream crosses the road near the culycrr
OF the Delaware, Lackawanna and West.
ern railroad.
RESERVOIR AT CiIINCHILLA.
But little need be said concerning this
reservoir; it is here that the last mixIn ,
or the waters from various sources takes
pace. 1he effects of sedimentation and
the diluting action Of the artesian well
water can be seen in the analysis given
under the head of Sample G. AT present
the water is contaminated with the mol.
luted waters of the streams discussed
aIoNe. There Is only one conclusion pos
sible ana this Is that the water should,
not DC used as long a. lhe streams in
their present conditions discharge into
the thinchilla reservoir. The placing of
All tnis system of water works in proper
condition for safe use will prove an I'M
dertaknS of some magnitude
ANALYTICAL RESULTS.
Sample A, Summit Lake
Free ammonia-O.030 parts per million.
Albuminoid armonia-0.395 parts per
million.
Nitrogen as nitrites-None
Nitrogen al nitrates-O. 400 parts per
million.
:, chiorin as chlordes--3.05O parts per mil.
lion.
Total solids residue-55,OOO parts Der
million.
colonies on geatne plates in air at 70
degrees centisrade, l50 per cubic cent.
Colonies on eelatine in an atmosphere
or hydrogen, 81 per cubic cent.
Colonies on glucosed gelatine, III DER
cubic cent.
Moderate gas production in Smith tubes
AT 80 degrees centigrade
In phenolized Dunham's solution at 42
degrees centigrade, growth in one tube.
strong production of hydrogen sulG1
Sample b, Stream from Summit Lake
Free ammonia-0,025 parts per million.
Albuminoid ammonia-0063 parts per
million.
Nitrogen as nitrites-O,O05 parts per mil
lion.
Nitrogen as nitrates-l O52 parts per mil
lion.
Chlorin as chlorlds-5.50O parts per mil