Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1906-01-26
nIeoaLlAkEous aAooRp
Reat Methods of EIItrntlon.

hNHN MGAn0Al1 0N NNNi aAAAUs
We have read with much interest the
letter Of "Observer," printed in yester-
days Morning News, on the subject Of the
best system Of water filtration for use by
the city of Wilmington. 1t treats the
subject in a very reasonable manner, and
4s dispassionate and evidently unbiased,
in its conclusions
We are constrained to say, however,
that the criticism Of "Observer" to the
effect that in previously printed letters
mechanical filtration alone was exploited
and sand filtration ignored as being Of no
consequence, Is not altogether well taken.
The discussion Of the subject has embraced
10 a very considerable extent a compare
son Of the two systems, with the argument,
il must be admitted, largely on the side
Of mechanical filtration a. being far better
suited to the conditions which prevail in
this city. Indeed, "Obscrver" himself
practically admits that this has been done
in that portion OF his letter in which he
refers TO certain communities having
adopted mechanical filtration and certain
others sand filtration. The character
istics Of the water, in each case, largely
determined the conclusion arrived at, and
it is the chief contention Of the advocates
OF mechanical filtration in Wilmington
that the water conditions here are such
that filtration by the mechanical system
win be moro effective, and az the same
time more economical, than by the slow
sand system.
Maniiestly, therefore, "Observer," do
spite the evident prediction for sand fl
tration that marks his letter, is sound in
his conclusion that there are conditions
existing in many cities and towns where
mechanical filtration can be operated
more economically and effectively than
slow sand filtration" and his advice to the
Water Commissioners TO investigate the
mechanical systems Of water filtration
already in use in this city is eminently
practical. For il is claimed in behalf o
these systems that they do tho work in {
complete and satisfactory manner Nhicl
may be regarded as an assurance that In,
same system applied to the city's waite
supply would produce equally satisfactor,
results.
It may also be remarked, in this con
nection, that "Observer," in his commen
that no reply has been made to the argu
ments in favor Of mechanical filtration b,
those who favor the slow sand process
has overlooked the communications fron
"Chemist' which we're printed in tn
columns Of Every Evening. For "Chem
ist" certainly argued to the best Of hi
ability against mechanical filtration an
in favor Of the slow sand system.
The only thing in the way Of misstats
ment which we can discern in the CON
munication Of "Chemist" is the following
in relation TO the work Of the mechanics
filters already in operation in this city
"Thero Is q permanent hardness, however
in the eiiiuent from this operation, as car
tried out at these two plants, which woul
make the water for domestic purposes quit
objectionable" If "Observer" will rcca
the clearand practical letters Of Mechanic
on this subject, as printed in Every Ever
ing, he will know that the writer concll
sively set forth that there is not sufiicieI
hardness in the Bnndywine water
make possible the defect complained OF
"Observer"
However we welcome "Observer'l
contribution to the discussion Of the sal
ject Of water filtration. Discussion fro
all practical points Of view is necessary
reaching a Hghtful solution Of a
problem. As the Morning News, in
editorial reference to "Obsorvers" lette
pertinently says: ono possible harm ci
come from making a careful study OF Il
mechanical filtration scheme in order
discover justwhat It can accomplish. The
is no reason for saying that sand fltr
tion is not 70 become ultimately a col
plete success. In the meantime Al
discussion Of the question should be bas
entirely upon the merits or the demer
OF both systems and not directed at the a
vocatos Of either system" And in q
manner the hest results may be obtains