Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-04-09
WATER HEARING.
Wholesale Pollution of Ken
nebec Shown in Testimony.
Results Of Investigations Made BY
Sanitary Engineers.
Another Water Works Expert Put on
the Stand by the Company.

al
| mainly along the same line as that
with winch the District opened it's case,
Thursday afternoon, namely proof as
to the wholesale pollution of the
| kernebcc above Augusta through
sewerage and mill waste. Messrs.
Pease and Albce, sanitary engineers
were on the stand and their testimony
was not of the kind to increase the
consumption of river water for drink
ing purposes. The presentation of the
Districts case was interrupted to allow
Mr.. Baker to put upon the stand
Charles l.. GOOdhue of Springfield,
Mass, water works builder and
owner of much experience, who had not
been able to be present earlier. He
estimated the value of the physical
plant at 100000, and the value of the
entire plant and franchise at 100000.
When the morning session began at
10 O'Clock Lnngdon Pcase, sanitary
engineer, resumed the stand and con-
tinued his testimony us to the pollution
of the kcnnebec river above Augusta:
AT Waterville l found a complete
sewer system with $40 buildings dis
charging into it. The main outlet into
the river is just below the Lockwood
mill. 1t is below the lowest dam at
Watcrvillc. This was discharginS
when I saw it. fully 100000 gallons
cnily. There are several other outlets
il To the river. Also several private
s'.'vers. serving several hundred people.
T. Lockwood mills, employing 1890
pc. ie. discharge their sewerage into
the river. This mill discharges no
waste. The IsiverView WOrSted mill
with 200 hands, has a private sewer and
also much waste dye, soap, etc. Colby
college has two private sewers dis
charging into the river, and the car
shops, with 2?J men, have Il private
sewer. At WinSloW there are the great
HOllingSWorth & Whitney mills, en-
plOying $50 or more men, with closets
diScharGing into the river. Their waste
sulphite liquor drains into the river.
In all l found 40 persons using the
public sewers in places | have testified
to; ISIS persons in the mills which have
vaults diScharging into the river: a3I
persons using private sewers; $3.50
gallons OF spent dye flowing daily into
the river; 2j,500 gallons of preparatory
liquor for wooden mills; 200 pounds Of
soap: 100000 gallons of wash water
from wooden mills; 325C, 900 gallons OF
ground wood wash: 3.J0O.600 gallons of
sulphite wash. 1.1J0.0 900 gallons of paper
machine flow: and 100000 gallons Of
spent sulphite. Between Waterville
and Augusta we also examined. the
river last November. We measured
he current from the main sewer outlet
at Waterrille to the intake OF the
miles down the river observed focal
matter from the sewerage. Found
sinking slime and mud OH river bot
tom for seven miles down the river
Found such slime on rocks and lodges
for 10 miles below sewer outlet We
found that floats came from the sewer
to the intake above the dam III ISL.
hours. At this city above the intake
we found vaults and broken sewers
draining into the river. I called upon
the physicians in Augusta and verified
the figures of TYPHOID cases. In prepar-
ing our tables no unvcrifed cases We're
used. Sent samples of river water
water from Weber pond and water
from wells and springs in city to Mr..
Whipples' laboratory in Brooklyn for
analysis"
On cross examination by Mr.. Baker:
Have not computed the volume of
water in the kennebec into which the
polIuting substances flow. On the day
l visited the HollnGsworth & Whitney
mill | figured that the quantity of poi
luton was l TO 200. That was in Feb
ruary. Slow water allows substances
to settle While they will remain in sus-
pension in rapid water. The mill pond
here extends to NassalbOro. about 10
miles above the dam. With higher
water the pond would extend back far
Their. Never examined this river until
last fail. Sunlight has Il slight ten
dency to kill germs in water. The i'll
take pipe is go feet from west shore of
river"
On redirect examination: "The rate
of flow OF the river for the II miles
from Watcrville to the dam, varied
last fall, from 80 of a mile an hour to
IS of a mile an hour. Higher water
would mean faster water"
At this point, by common consent
Charles l.. Goodhue of Springfield
Mass, was called by Mr.. Baker for the
company, as the witness had been I'M
able to be present earlier. He testified:
Have been a builder of water works
since 1870 in all parts of the country;
about 10 systems in all. Have also
been a manager and owner in many
cases. Have bought and sold systems
for past 20 years, and have been an APP
I'aiser in many instances. Testified as
/" value of plants at Gardiner and
hN,tcrville. Have examined the plant
h, re within past year. Estimated the
value of the physical plant at $3e3, 900.
This was cost of replacement with no
allowance for depreciation. There is
more appreciation than depreciation in
value of a plant of this age. Some
time the pipe will have to be renewed
but no man knows when it will be. l
know pipe laid in 1916 which is as good
as new. On the other hand l have
known pipe laid 16 years to be ruined.
The pipe here seems as good as new.
The whole plant here seems well de-
signed for the needs of the community.
The filter is inadequate, but the other
parts of the system seem adequate.
The Insane hospital ought to pay $4,000
instead of $4,000 as now. The city has a
most favorable contract. Regard water
works bonds and stocks as good in
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