The Havre herald. [volume] (Havre, Mont.) 1904-1908, 1905-11-17

no discharge of sewage from the pipes
could be detected, and it was claimed
that only two or three institutions at
Havre were discharging their waste
into the sewers. 1t is evident from
the analytical figures that whatever
the amount Of sewage being placed in
the sewers at that time, it did not, to
any appreciate extent, alter the
original condition of the water of
Milk river. unless one would take the
slight increase in total solids as di-
rect result of the addition OF some
sewage to the river water. A strange
phenomenon is the decrease in the
chlorine figures, which are slightly
lower than in the preceding samples.
Chlorine being a constant constituent
of our household and industrial waste
matters. we naturally look for an in
crease of it when we suspect sewage
pollution, and the same might be said
true of amonia which in this case
was, at least, not increased as com
pared with the preceding samples.
Only in the oxygen consuming power
a slight increase is observable, which
might be caused by organic impurities
resulting from sewage. The amount
OF sewage entering the river must be
very small and it will be seen from
the analytical results that whatever
the amount may be, it is eliminated
| before the water reaches Toledo.
In sample taken from Toledo we
find that the total solids, chlorine and
amonia are perceptably less than in
the sample from Havre. and it is fair
to assume that through the processes
heretofore mentioned in this report
that the river water has purified it.
self by eliminating most of the i'm
purities caused by the addition of
sewage at Havre.
In the sample Of water taken from
Milk river at Yantic, a general in
crease in the constituents of the water
is apparent upon analysis. The color
and condition OF the water is yellow
ish and muddy and its reaction Is
alkaline. We can only account for
the considerable increase in the i'm
puritieS in the water at Yantic by the
fact that much CT the water flowing
under ground in the river bed is forced
to the surface by the Bellznap dam
above this point, and that much of
the communicating matter contained
in this sandbed is brought to the sur
face at this point with the water.
The next sample, taken at the mouth
or the intake pipe at the pumping
station at Chinook, shows still great
er increase in impurities This in
crease is due, in our opinion, to the
influx OF much surface drainage from
drainage bitches, one such ditch enter
ing the river about $50 feet above the
pumping station, after draining q
large tract of flooded farm lands. The
appearance Of the water at the pump
ing station is muddy-yelloWish anC
has Slight alkaline reaction.
\ sample taken from a ditch eros
sing the river short distance above
the pumping station at Chinook show!
practically the same conditions as the
sample taken at Yantic, which, from
a sanitary standpoint, is by no mean.
a wholesome, pure water for drinking
. and domestic purposes.
From these analyses it would appea
: that Milk river is at present simpl'
a large drainage ditch and its waite
is of such character as to make it
: very doubtful source for domesti
! purposes unless the water is frs
thoroughly filtered.
. 1t was deemed advisable to tax
e water for analysis from some of tn
+ wells along the course Of the river
J. The first sample was taken fror
# HOuston's we'll in Chinook, being s
n tmated on an elevation near tie waite
tower, known as "ArteSiOn Hill.
If The second sample was taken fror
5, the well on Stations ranch. about .
he miles east of Hayre. The thir
d sample was taken from the we'll O
y Bert Nichols ranch near Chinook. 0
" the north side Of the river.
Tx MI these samples are clear and of
as pleasant taste. Analysis shows .thel
to be high in total solids. the GREAT,
is part Of which is sulphates and chic
at inc. The organic impurities are 10
al and practically insignificant whe
ne compared with the samples TAKE
H. from the water of Milk river.