The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1908-12-09
COMMISSION MAKES
SIX RECOMMENDATIONS
Names the Glucose as One of the
Worst Despoilers-Suggests Drain
ing All Sewage Into the Illinois
River-Shatters the Supposed Fact
About Lake Currents in South End.

In a report covered I'm 10000 words
and compiled by HI. III. Barnard, chem
list to the state board OF health, j. III.
Brewster, water chemist, with the
sistance of the boards of health of
Hammond, whiting and East Chicago,
the sanitary condition of the south
ern end of Lake Michigan, bordering
on Lake county, is discussed.
The report has just been completed
after months of laborious work, con-
Quoted by a commission involving in
vestigations from every angle of the
situation. The report is exhaustive and
authoritive and in many instances shat
ters old supposed facts about the
drinking water for this region.
The report says in part:
Water Bad at All Times
After a careful analysis of all the
data collected during this survey it
becomes readily apparent that the wat
er supplies of indiana Harbor. East
Chicago, Whiting and Hammond. as at
present taken from the lake, are abso-
lutely of no value from a sanitary
standpoint and that they are not safe
for drinking at any time of the year.
"The study of the distribution of the
sewage also shows conclusiyely that
it will be of no value to extend the in
takes farther into the lake until the
present sources of pollution are perma-
| nently removed
In the summary the report says that
| the Calumet river, the Glucose, the
Standard Oil company's sewer. the SAN
itary sewers from the cities of Ham
mond, Whiting, East Chicago and In
diana Harbor are responsible for the
condition.
The report further says:
NO Lake Currents Present.
There are no uniform currents In
| this portion of the lake and sewage
once deposited in it may be carried
in any direction, depending (a) the di-
rection and force of the wind, OBJ the
lake level, (c) the direction of tempo
rary and induced currents
'oThe sewage from any one point
along the shore may be carried over the
intake of any of the water supplies.
| For this reason the abatement of any
one nuisance will not afford a great
measure of relief as the main sources
of pollution will be amply sufficient to
render the water unsafe.
THE laying of intakes further into
the lake will not provide an adequate
| protection against impure water, since
the zone Of pollution extends more
than FIVE miles from the shore.
Such Recommendation.
The following possible means by
which the situation may be remedied
are recommended:
% The installation of gravity or
mechanical filters to purify the water
of each of the present systems.
~ The installation of sewage dis
posal plants to purify the sewage of
otherwise destroy the Injurious bacteria
now being poured into the lake.
(3) Such action as will stop perma-
nently the dumping of dredged mate
rial within five miles of any water in
take.
90 The abatement of the nuisance
known as the Glucose sewer.
(5) The abandonment Of the lake as
, a source of water supply, and the use
of deep well water undoubtedly to be
| found in sufficient abundance for pres
ent needs.
t f6) The opening of a channel Of
, the Illinois river to convey all sewage
away from the lake.
e The commission cites the last remedy
as being the most feasible
4 The report with accompanying charts
were sent to DR.. ". d. Weis. who has
been greatly instrumental in making
the investigation successful and spe-
} cial credit is due to him and to Jacob
, Kasper, superintendent of the pumping
, station, for their work and efforts in
, behalf of the investigation.