New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-07-29
ASKS FILTRATION PLANT
NEED Is IMPERATIVE.
Or. Darlington Shoes Pure Water
Is Typhoid's Foe.

Health Commissioner Darlington issued his re-
port yesterday on the filtration of the water sup
ply OF this city. in il he strongly urges Mayor
Mcclellan the necessity of establishing as soon
possible adequate plant for the proper filtration
of the local water supply. He asserts that the
water supply is responsible for large percentage
of the cases Of typhoid fever and several Of the
disrrhoeal diseases.
In 1900 there rs deaths from typhoid fever
IN this city. in 1904 there 6sl deaths in the
lSl2 cases OF typhoid reported In the last five
years the death rate from typhoid has varied from
172 10 20S in 10000.
Says Dr. Darlington:
The time has surely come when the proper con,
servation OF public health demands that Uttered
MaIeI oiE snaI ne seSq 20 SeIi de- serd
litter viii ssa per cent Of the bacteria from
the water. besides most Of the organic and in
organic materials suspended therein.
To show that the water supply is responsible for
most OF the typhoid cases. he points TO cities here
and abroad where. after the instalment OF mira
ton plants. the percentage of typhoid cases has
greatly decreased. In Ithaca. in 1903 he says that
70 per cent of the Inhabitants contracted typhoid
fever from drinking the unfltered water Of Ten
Mile Greek.
Concerning the difference made by the filtration
plant. n ChamOnt. OF the department Of chemis-
Try. Cornell University, says:
Since the filtered water has been in the city
mains we have not been able TO ind single case
2icspal supply though there have been numerous
cases of typhoid among those who sun persist In
However pure tho sources. says DR.. Darlington
decaying vegetable and animal matter bound to
have their influence and make the water unfit for
use. particularly when the impurities concen-
trated IN small bulk. happens in case Of
orouth-
Such plant should be established at once. the
commissioner insists. because IN future. the city
may he obliged take its water supply from
sources not pure at present. He says:
In my opinion. with the rapid growth OF the city
OF NeW-York. and The possibilities also OF drouth
the day is far distant. with the additional
water supply contemplated when may at any
time be compelled 10 take water from the upper
Hudson. Such water with Its sewage contamination
-Srorld he extremely dangerous life and health
1lnleSs IL were filtered
DR.. Darlington estimates the costs of a suitable
covered slow sand filtration plant for the entire
sCroton supply Of about five hundred million gallons
daily. as being about sl7O0oloco He estimates the
cost Of operation, including interest sinking fund
and depreciation at about $4,000.
In speaking of filtration plants abroad. he says:
In Europe the filtration Of public water sup
piles has been in use for more than seventy five
years. In Germany il has now been made pracu-
cally obligatory on cities by the imperial Board
OF Health The adoption OF filters in Europe is
not confined TO thickly populated districts The
city Of Liverpool England, takes II water from
tains. but the water, however, is carefully fl
tered.
He cftes also Berlin example. There. from
1913 10 1852. the number Of typhoid
about one in every 1,50o. From 1891 10 1900, when
the water was filtered the rate decreased to less
than one in 10000 of population. A decrease as
mover and Hamburg. In Philadelphia the differ
ence IN typhoid in the filtered water district
and the other districts is nearly 100 per cent