The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1909-09-09
STATE HEAKTH BOARD
REPORTS ON WATER
Continued From Page Il

water algae which is pumped from
this throughout the city.
The wells on the Lyman Smith
place we are informed are from ten TO
fifteen feet deep. Forty feet from
one of the wells Is an open water
closet and within 300 feet are two
mtre. We we're also told that the
water rises in these wells during the
time the adjacent country is being
irrigated.
The Coe Springs come out on the
edge of the hillside and undoubtedly
represent water which filters down
through the soil of the adjacent
country until 1t reaches an lmper
yious stratum when 1t issues as
epring. There is no doubt that these
springs will become more liable TO
contamination as the adjacent country
becomes more thicKIy populated, and
are liable at auy time to become moie
seriously effected. The same Is trne
of the wells on the Lyman Smith
nlaee. We were informed that the
water pipe on Park street, extending
from the side of the hill, which at
the present time contains no water
will begin tc flow whenever irriga-
tiop is commenced showing that the
entire country becomes permeated
with water. - -
Also, recent report water examined
by sDr. Ralph g. Matson, Baoteriol.
oois. to the State Board of Health,
In which he reports as follows:
August "a, 1909.
10 the State Board of Health, Port
land, Oregon.
Gentlemen: | have to report exam
ination of specimens OF water col
lected by myself, at Hood River, Or
eRon, with the following results:
No. /. From the main reservoir !;
contained 800 bacteria per O. O., from
which WAS isolated Bacillus Aquatilis.
No. 2. Contained 225 bacteria per
C. @, Is. CIoacae we're found.
No. g. From upper reservoir; CON
tained rs bacteria per @. g. b. oloa'
cae we're found.
No. 4. From upper spring; con.
tanned rs bacteria per @. c., none OF
which were gas producers. Although
Colon baoilli have not yet been found
In any of the specimens collected by
myself. b. Cloacae has found III two
sneoimens, and | believe 1t ID to be
regarded as the pathogenic organism.
B. Cloacae is deemed sewer organ
ism, and believe that its presence in
this water supply depends upon sur
face contamination.
From my examination of this water
| would say that Specimens Nos. z
and 3 are unfit for drinking purposes
No. ia questionable and in No. 4
have no evidence of contamination
because l found no pathoRenio bac'
terra.
Yours very.
The above report Is self-explanatory,
We have very recently made reports
to the city board of health concern,
ing this water from specimens sent
in by DR.. Edgington, city health
officer, as we'll as from specimens sent
In by the Water Company, concern
Ing the latter of which we paloe no
dependence upon, specimens having
been sent to us presumably as coming
from the Hood River water supply,
when in reality as we found out later,
some of them we're taken from entire
ly different sources, with what ohJfo
ia view we will venture no opinion.
In conclusion, we wish to state that
for year your Mayor and City
Council have been oognizant OF the
conditions existing in your water
system, as per report of August 1907.
That they have also known OF the le
ports of the water, sent in by theil
city health officer. That the oondl
tions surrounding the lower reservoir
have shown, and do now show, sucf
evident disregard OF any attempt a
sanitation, as to be detected by thu
most casual examination; that sewe
connections are not insisted upon IL
residences In the vicinity of the lowe
reservoir; that no attempt has beef
made to install properly devised
privies in this same locality; that NJ
supervision has been made even o
privies existing in the immediat
vicinity of the wells of the Compan,
on their ten-acre tract, or OF sur
rounding privies.
With conditions such as these OK
isting, we bolieve that the time ha
come to mix some actual work wit
investigation and water analysis.
That failure to even attempt to d
anything has marked the efforts c
your city government Is evident. |
10 now high time for action, and 1t
hoped that your interest this work
work that has to do with the healt
and happiness of your citizens an
the prosperity of your city, will man
tost itself by results.
In conclusion, we desire TO place q
your disposal the services of th
Board of Health at your solicitation
Oregon State Board of Healt
BY A. Pierce President
by Robert Yennv, Seer etary