The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-01

AS TO A PURE WATER SUPPLY.
Recent occurrences have caused some
anxiety as to the continued purity of the
city's water supply. AS far the Journal
knows, all official analyses heretofore have
demonstrated its purity, and there has been
reason to believe that the water supply of
this city was as pure as that of any other
city in the country. Reference is had to
the public supply. as there is probably not
a well in the city except those of great
depth tina: is not contaminated. Some re-
cent unofficial analyses have raised suffi-
cient doubt as TO the purity of the city
water to justify further investigation.
which. it is hoped, will demonstrate the
purity of the water, as previous ones have.
But there is the future to be considered. If
the city water is pure now, how is its purity
to be maintained? II the present source of
supply is all right. will that of the future
be? The growth of the city and of neigh
boring cities and towns and rural popula-
tons will add constantly to the causes of
water pollution, not only in streams. but in
running wells. Can this inevitable pollution
be cured by filtration? A recent statement
that the water company thought of drawing
its supply from Fall creek below the new
army post has raised a question whether
that would be satisfactory source Of sup
ply. and. If it is now. will it be fifty years
hence when the population of the towns
and the country adjacent to the creek will
be several times as great as at present?
These are important questions, because
every generation has responsibilities for
succeeding ones, and must plan for the flu
ture as well as for the present
Probably no event of recent years has
furnished more conclusive and indisputable
evidence of the operation of polluted water
in causing typhoid fever than the recent
experience at Ithaca. n. Y. The proof fur
nished there has been so overwhelming and
the results so tragic that there will never
be any doubt on the subject hereafter either
among professionals or laymen- In future
medical works the Ithaca case will become
what lawyers call leading case, ard it
will practically close discussion as to the
direct action of polluted water in causing
Cured at Ithaca may occur in any water
that is not drawn from source beyond the
possibility of pollution, or that is not puri-
fed by process that admits of no doubt
A century ago every stream and creek In
Indiana carried pure water: not one
does. The natural increase of population
would account for this in part. but other
causes have assisted. In recent years
manufactures have turned their poisonous
refuse into streams in utter disregard of
health and of law. The law against the
pollution OF streams is almost dead letter,
though there are indications of more vigor-
Gus efforts enforce it, The chief hydro
grapher of the United States geological sur
vey has recently been examining White
river at Anderson and at other points, and
he found it seriously polluted He says that
deep wells cannot be depended upon. or, If
they furnish pure water for awhile. it will
eventually become impure. He is of opinion
that filtration will be necessary to purify
water drawn from White river, either d.
rectly or indirectly. He found the refuse
from strawboard works prolific source of
pollution. 1t is understood that the United
States geological survey will continue the
work of examining the streams OF Indiana,
| and as the reports of its agents will be
| fearless and impartial there is reason to
hope their Investigations will result in good
Great claims have been made for Ultra
| ton, and If thoroughly carried out it is I'M
| questionably of great benefit But the idea
that polluted water purifies itself by run
| soil a few rods Is obsolete. Even mechan-
| ical filtration has it's limitations. If thor
oughly performed 1t will remove all germs
of disease and all insoluble particles Of for
| eign matter, but there are certain soluble
poisons, not deadly but still injurious,
which 1t does not remove. These will not
| cause typhoid fever or any such disease,
| but they may cause or aggravate stomach
| or kidney troubles. Filtration cannot make
| hard water soft nor remove certain salts
| that are more or less injurious. Boiling Is
| an excellent means OF purifying contami-
mated water and dstlllation is still better,
but these methods cannot be used on a
large scale OF IOr an entire CITY.
Apparently about all the city authorities
can do is to see that the water company
draws it's supply from the purest source
available. that this source is carefully
guarded against pollution from any quarter
and that the most approved means of me-
chanical filtration are used. The idea that
| running water purifies itself must be aban-
doned, and after all other means of render
ing 1t pure have been used it should be ex-
amined microscopically and chemically as
often as two or three times week. as to
detect the first appearance of pollution or
deterioration. The Journal understands
that the water company is now preparing 70
put In an extensive filtering system. Un-
doubtedly that is necessary, no matter from
what source it draws its supply. and the
health authorities should that it is the
best system in use.
n