The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1909-09-09

lace ufdlueus Inc tuOJ tIht II more or
less marshy area existed in the vioini-
ty OF the COmpany's pipes, little to
the north of the point the \ pipes be-
gin, Indicated that large surface
area was detrimental in its drainage
to this particular section; and that
surface contamination is not limited
solely to this particular area, but TO
the entire area.
We would say that the soil repre-
sents relatively rapidly iiltering
sand-sOil, IN this particular fair soil
TO remove waste. On the other hand,
when irrigating is at its height enor.
nous quantities of water must neces
sarily be used, and In this respect
contamination is extremely likely to
occur.
With regard to the last problem in
volved a. the possibility of direct
tecal contamination of human origin
is evident. On the Company's ground
are two open privies, flied with eA-
others at every farmhouse scattered
over this drainage area. There is
also Likelihood of Contamination from
bHrnyArd ana stable refuse.
Another very probable source Is the
soil contamination that could al ise
from strawberry and fruit pickers,
as we we're informed that no provision
whatever is made for these, other
chan the farmhouse privy, probably
very often not used, in either case
likely to beome danger Gus. Taxing
the privy contents from the prlvy
and burying them in another part of
the same drainage area, as one by the
Water Company, in no way protects
the water supply.
Win regard to the lever reservoir,
the open one near the city, oondl-
tions immediately surrounding 1t as
we'll as those adjacent, are extremely
bad.
In the fist place, an irrigating
stream, after passing through a filthy
chiCkeuyaId, filters It's way along
side the springs, and especlslly the
one supplying the small wood encased
reservoir, said not to be used, but
adjusted so as to be used IL occasion
demanded.
On the hill back of the reservoir,
in the same sewer district, are houses
with open pIivies, some OF these
houses being III course OF construc-
tion. In a yard adjoining this lower
reservoir is privy, within 70 feet
of the reservoir. In this same yard
Is well which 1t is stated goes dry
when the reservoir Is emptied. It Is
hardly safe proposition to harbor
possible source Of Infection SO near
the reservoir, and ut least those using
the we'll should ha warned OF the
danger of its contamination.
One important question asked by
your Committee we desire to answer
at this time, qualified by certain
conditions to be stated later, the
dependent entirely upon the action
OF your city government. Ibis
question is the folio wing: "Does such
condition exist as to demand an
immediate change in our water sys-
ten?"
In reply to this we would say "No"
under the following conditions:
tmst, that every possible source of
contamination in the lower reservoir,
in It's immediate vicinity, be eiadi-
Gated. That privies on the hill back
OF the reservoir be abolished and the
houses be compelled to make sewer
connect ions: or in the event these are
not suitable, containers be purchas-
ed, 30 that they could be removed
aud contents destroyed; or, in lieu OF
either OF these, the installation OF
cement vaults to be cleaned at regular
intervals, and further, that the kind
Of privy appliances used and their
emptying AMI manner and place OF
| destruction of contents be directly
under the control OF the city, as we'll
as the collection and destruction OF
gar bage OF all kinds.
Also that provision he made for the
collection and destruction of all
human excrement, extending as far
back AS possible from the location oil
the Company's wells and their feed
pipes. This, OF oouIse, would INCLUDE
| vision tor field workers.
Also, that your City Board OF
| Health, which as you know consists
u tue Mayor, mem bers OF the Council
ana the health officer whom they
appoint, shall decide upon an efficient
method or methods of disinfectinR all
discharges, urine and feces, OF ty.
| phoid fever patients and suspects,
and enforce its use.
Besides this, that samples OF your
city water, collected by some suit
able person, be sent at least once
each week to the State Board OF
Health laboratory for examination at
to its archaeological content. This
work will be done free OF charge.
With tha correction of such defects
as have been pointed out, we believe
chat no emergency exists and prob
bly, will not exist In the near future.
There has been no epedemic of ty.
phoId fever in Hood River, suoh at
would of necessity occur from 9
severe water infection.
That existing conditions are suct
4s to render a sudden out break i'm
possible, however, is untrue. The
possibility Of a sudden outbreak in
such diversified system Is always
to he feared. Its prevention liet
along lines already indicated.
In this connection we would submit
copy OF the following report, made
August IL, 1907, to your Clty CounCll,
insoter as it relates to the city
water supply at that time:
Portland, Oregon, Aug. l9, 1907
In accordance with request from
the City Health Officer of Hood River
DR.. n. A. Pierce and the Seer etaI
visited that city on May 10 to investiI
gate the water supply and sewerage
system of the city. We were accom-
panied during the. examination by the
Mayor, the City Health lUtiicer, DR.
Edgington and DR.. Watts and an
other member of the City Council
We visited the present sources, about
seven miles from the CITY, along Hooc
River.
Present Water Supply: The city il
supplied by springs known as the Coz
Springs which supply the greater par
of the city, and by wells on th'
Lyman Smith place which suppl!
about one-third of the city. Th'