The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-02-18

council chamber, city hall last evening,
and the attendance was light, owing To
the unfavorable weather conditions. But
those present and who did speak were
men OF ability and experience and talked
from both the practical and scientific
standpoints.
Alderman Reynolds presided and the
only absentee was Alderman Covell, the
three common council members OF the
committee being present.
FAVORED SAND FILTRATION.
Upon Invitation OF the chairman, DR..
Fenner III. Peckham arose and in an in
teresting argument favored the sand fill
tration system. He called attention first
TO the fact that several epidemics of
typhoid fever have occurred in Provi-
dence which, in the opinion OF medical
men, were caused by the use of Pawtuxet
water. When such contamination will
take place no one can foretell. On ac-
count OF this liability OF contamination
OF our water supply from its present
source there is a moral obligation on the
city 10 take immediate measures TO pre-
vent the possibility OF disease among
the consumers of its water by the intro
duction OF a system of filtration which
experience has demonstrated will dimin-
ish the mortality from typhoid fever
There may be also "a legal RESPONSE
II. a
suits have been brought against n mu-
nicipality I'm this country for damages
caused by typhoid fever which resulted
from drinking the water supplied by that
city without filtration and which was
known 10 be polluted with disease germs
OF course. the Ideal source of supply
would be from above the populous ter
ritory through which the Pawtuxet river
flows, but as many years might be nec-
cssarily consumed before the rights TO
obtain it at that point could be secured
and proper works constructed, the speak
er thought II would be a wise investment
for the city to Immediately construct "a
system of filtration on land which il
now owns
1t Is estimated that about $4,000 are
expended by the citizens of Providence
In the purchase OF a supply of spring
water, which I'm many Instances r. proba-
bly, not as pure as the Pawtuxet To n
great extent this amount would be saved
II the city supply was purified by meth
cd which commanded the confidence OF
the consumer. From reliable sources IL Is
learned that the cost of the most approv-
ed system OF filtration will not exceed the
net profits OF the water works for one !
year, though cost should not be consid-
cred where health and life are concerned !
Experience of other cities has shown |
and statistics have confirmed that the /
purifcation Of the waters for a municipal |
Ity can be best accomplished by natures |
method, the slow sand filtration system.
Experts assert that the cost and mainte-
nance together are practically the same
IN the mechanical and sand filtrat ton and
that IL IL should ever be deemed advisa-
bic 10 use chemicals i'm connection with |
sand filtration IL can be done without any |
change in the structure of the filters.
ENDORSED BY EXPERTS.
ssp~of hun.> 1ro-z.. ~~.o........so, - |
natural, or sand. filtration, after per-
sonal examination of the conditions of the
Providence water supply.
Prof. George w. Fuller stated before |
he congressional committee that waters
% New England can be best purified by
he slow sand process. He ALSO states that |
he required amount OF sulphuric acid GO
ng into the water as a coagulant would
lot make much difference, but that II is
N the side OF undesirable constituents
Passed Assistants Surgeon III. D. Ged- |
lings, u. s. A.. states that IL must be
,orne in mind that In order 10 effect n
uccessful sedimentation by the use OF |
llum, the water must contain carbonates
Il lime or magnesia. either I'm suspension
n solution. AS Prof. Hazen has told us |
'ur Pawtuxet water is deficient i'm these |
I would be necessary TO add them before
ising the alum. / don't think such treat !
nent would improve our water for either
domestic or commercial use.
"Dr. Kober OF Washington has prepared 1
r-tabic- showing tifc average number OF I
eaths In several American cities before | !
nd after filtration. From this table we | '
earn that while sand Filtration accom- I
'lished a reduction OF 5S.5 per cent in the | |
lumber OF deaths from typhoid fever. the 2
Mechanical filters actually produced an 5
Increase OF 20.s3 per cent. and. even IL the '
consideration OF Elmira. Lexington and
Newcastle Is eliminated. where an i'm [
rease was noted. the reduction OF ty- | q
hold fever I'm consequence Of mechanical | n
ltration amounts TO only - per cent, as q
onpared with 7S.5 per- cent as by the !
rocess of sand filtration.
Right here ] would gay that i do not | {
oubt the efficiency OF the mechanical v
rocess in removing disease germs N in q
manged; not equal. however
D my opinion. 20 sand filtration. / do not {
onsider that the system Of mechanical n
ltration was responsible for the increase @
Z typhoid fever IN the cities as stated =
xcept in 70 far that the use OF chemicals 1
Ia not command the confidence of the :
onslmers and they were driven 10 the
Sc Of water from other sources OF sup
ly
In conclusion would state that the
onsensus OF opinion seems 90 be almost
unanimous in the recommendation OF the
low sand process FOR the purflcation OF |
ur water supply. which should bo solely
nder the care Of the commissioner OF ! I
ubiic works. that the cost and malnte-
ance VIII not b. greater than any other
ystem. that u Will be more effcctuai An
ne prevention of watcr-borne diseases.
ghich u the chief reason for filtration.
he water VIII command the confidence |
4 the consumer about ane-half the
mount of coioring matter will b. rouov-
d, its htncss for commercial uses viii ! I,
ot be impaired. we shall bo following tho I
xsmple OF the largo cities Of the East ! {
nd We shall have a water supply which =
Fil be creditabie % the intelligence ana
Fenlth Of this municipality" {
Drs Noyes. Welch. White and peel al.
ocatfd the sand system and ~ II No. |
'arthy. ESQ. suggested that n would n. |
.eli TO follow the advice OF the physi. =
ians.
MECHANICAL SYSTEMS MERITS i
Chairman Reynolds then asked for an
xiresfion ~ opinion upon tho u,erifr ~ |
~ nechanlcol system of filtratlon ami | !.
allied upon Dr. Gardner + swarte r-cre- 4
lry nf the state hoard OF healfh who
I'VE have had two epidcfnics Of tvnbo,d
,ver said 20 be caused by our watsr sun .