New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-08
PURIFYING CITY WATER.

The recent investigation by officials Of the De
partmeut Of Agriculture OF the feasibility Of
dealing with contaminated water supplies by
new method is described at length on another
page Of The Tribune. The matter deserves
careful scrutiny for two reasons. More than
half the population OF all civilized countries re-
lies upon stored water for drinking purposes.
An enormous number of people are affected,
therefore, by the purity. or lack of purity. OF
such supplies. Again, whatever be the final
judgment of sanitary experts upon the state
ments now made by the Bureau of Plant Indus
try. DR.. Moore and Mr.. Kellerman have evil
IDENTIFY done their work in a careful and thor
ouGh manner. Their tests must be repeated by
others before their conclusions can be accepted,
but their report shows its face that they
nave proceeded intelligently and cautiously.
The chief question which is raised by the
proposition use sulphate OF copper 10 kill alg;e
and disease germs is, how much OF that sub
stance can be introduced into drinking water
without rendering it dangerous? To get rid Of
the first OF these two classes Of organisms II is
asserted. solution containing only one part Of
the sal. 10 4 million OF the fluid Is required
Computation lends DR.. Moore 10 believe that
unless a man should imbiba fifty quarts OF the
compound daily he would NOT feel any Ill ef-
fects from il. Should this estimate prove cor
rect, such a solution would be practically harm
i n,
is deemed necessary for killing typhoid bacili
1t may be assumed. therefore. that five quarts
OF the second preparation. taken daily. might
excite undesirable symptoms. No one is at all
likely 10 take such an amount of city water into
his stomach, but the margin OF safety which is
left is a comparatively narrow one The views
Of experts concerning the possible effect Of
copper and copper salts on the human system
have been consulted with notable thoroughness
by the authors OF the proposed method Of purid-
cation. Though these authorities are not en-
urely agreed, the general tenor OF their utter
ances will surprise many Of the laity. 10 say
nothing OF medical men There can be little
doubt that the danger Of poisoning by copper
has been overeStimated Still. whether the con
scrvative estimate adopted by DR. Moore is low
enough is a point needing further consideration
Should the harmlesSneSs OF the proposed
treatment be fully established the benefits OF
the discovery would be far reaching Algaa do
not affect health seriously, II M all but they
often become a particularly noticeable nuisance
Not Only do they dscoor water. but they i'm
part an offensive taste and odor To II which are
sure 10 provoke complaint. All OF the expedi-
ents thus far used 10 overcome the trouble are
costly. and the efficiency OF some is still omen
10 doubt. If a cheap chemical will do the work
effectively and without risk, il will he eagerly
welcomed ny those who are I'm charge OF water
supplies. \ still greater boon will be conferred
on humanity If the same agent can he safely
employed in dlSpOsing Of disease germs which
though their existence may he unsupported are
far more dangerous 10 health than alge.
1T Is easy 10 understand the reluctance OF the
Bureau OF Plant Industry 10 have the sulphate
treatment applied 10 a public reservoir without
consultation with its authors The system
might easily be brought into disrenuta Inv
bunSlers Its utility depends upon previous in
duiry into the character of the water I'm which
1t Is proposed TO use the copper The inquiry
should he conducted by competent persons
There should be guesswork Ii would be
foolish to try remedy for algp where some
thing else made the trouble Chemical ANALYSIS
TOO shows remarkable diversity in quantities
and kinds Of the mineral constituents occurring
IN water. These differences need TO be taken
TITO account in planning a campaign. No doubt
the advice Of the bureau will be generally taken
In the matter. II, however ANYBODY atte,nnts
independent ana premature experiments with
public water supplies after this warning. the
government will have occasion for seIf-ra
proach