The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-03
F. A. W. DAVIS TALKED
WATER COMPANY OFFICIAL SAYS
PURITY IS UNQUESTIONED.
Board Retired into Executive Session
and Cut the Gordian Knot
Meeting Was Warm.

suit OF the surveys and findings furnished
by the exports appointed to make a thorough
examination of the city wster convinces the
Board of Health that the water now sup
piled by the Indianapolis Water Company
is good and wholesome. Certain bacteria
have been found in the water which are ac-
cepted by authorities on water examination
as affording evidence OF contamination. but
in our opinion these do not exist in sufficient
number at this time 10 render the water
deleterious to health. The water company.
in addition TO steps already taken TO provide
good potable water to the citizens of In
dianapolis, is erecting a complete system
of sand filtration. This will further i'm
prove the quality of water. IL is the inten-
ton of the Board of Health to have repeat
ed meteorological examinations of the city
water made. and the public will be kept in
formed of the purity or impurity.
"DR. GEORGE II. F. HOUSE.
"DR. GEORGE d. KAHLo,
"DR. Ii. NJ. LASH"
This communication to the people of In
dianapolis was issued by the Board OF
Health late yesterday evening, after the
board had been In executive session dis
cussing the joint report made on the degree
of purity Of the city water supply by Dr.
William Charles White, representing the
city, and Dr. Edward d. Clark, the repre-
sentative OF the indianapolis Water Com
pany.
By this position the board turns down the
statement made by DR.. White yesterday
afternoon that the water is unsafe to drink
unless boiled, and holds that there is not
enough evidence of contamination to war
rant advising the people against its use.
The board also holds that the presence OF
the colon bacilli has not been shown in great
quantities, and accepts the view that the
bacteria are not dangerous unless present
at least in large quantities. That they are
present in any considerable quantity is not
shown by the report. the board holds.
CALLED BEFORE BOARD.
Called before the Board of Health yester-
day to interpret the report made on the
purity of the city water supply. DIR. VIII
liam Charles White, expert chemist who
was employed as the representative OF the
city, and DR.. Edward d. Clark. who exam
ined the water as the representative OF the
Indianapolis Water Company, fatty disa-
greed as TO whether the water is pure or
impure, safe or unsafe.
The two experts submitted a report last
week to Mayor BookwaIter and the board.
4
analyses made from five different examina-
tions of water taken from all parts OF the
city. The report was vouminous in facts
but there was an utter absence Of conclu-
sions regarding the safety Of the water. To
find out what the people should do the
board summoned the experts before ii yes
Davis, vice president OF the Indianapolis
Water Company.
EXPERTS FLATLY DISAGREE
President George II. F. House, OF the
Board of Health. made preliminary state
ment to the experts informing them that
the board was unable TO tell from the re-
port whether the water is potable or un-
potable. and asking them TO give their
views in plain English. DR.. White came
armed with a written report representing
his own views. This statement declares
unequivocally that the water in the upper
gallery of the indianapolis Water Compa-
ny's system is not fit for use unless boiled.
and states that the upper gallery is not a
Mt part of the cty's water system. That
can be seen by any one with the naked
eye he said.
DR.. Edward d. Clark followed Dr. White
with an oral statement In which there was
a fat divergence OF opinion In the opinion
of DR.. Clark the water Is potable. quite
dt TO drink and such bacteria as were
found by the experts are not necessarily in
furious 10 health. In answer TO a direct
T.
replied that the water Is safe 10 use with
out boiling.
The experts frankly admitted 40 the
board that they had been unable 10 agree
as TO the amount OF colon bacilh found
in the different samples OF water exam
ined and as 10 the Importance OF colon
bacilli as factor IN contamination. Or.
White is disposed 10 believe that the
amount of colon bacilIi present. according
10 his Investigations. points 10 unpotabili-
ty and unsafeness. DIR. Clark holds that
the amount is comparatively insignificant.
and that there are no other impurities
worthy Of serious consideration
BOARD NONPLUSED.
The members OF the board were again
stumped They turned 10 Mr.. Davis. Of the
water company. who had sat all the while
quietly listening. for lis opinion Dr. House
asked him IL the water company would be
willing TO dispense with the upper gal
lery as a part OF the system In the event
that contamination were shown. Mr. Davis
replied that contamination even In the up
per gallery Is absolutely impossible and
that under no circumstances would the
unner gallery be dispensed with because
ar Il an essential part OF the system Mr.
Davis addressed the board briefly. stating
thar the company Is positive that the water
IL furnishes the people Is pure and tnat
there Is absolutely no question As 70
safety in drinking II or using II Tor cuii-
nary purposes. He has the greatest re-
spect for the opinion OF the experts. ne seIe.