Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1910-09-16

time was ripe for the consideration
of future supply of pure water for
the city and that the matter of pur-
ity of drinking water was so import
ant that the matter justified a great
deal of thought and attention.
Dr. F. w. vanDyke took the posi-
tion that there was not enough
water in Williams creek during the
summer months to supply city of
the size that Grants Pass would at
tain in few years and advocated
caution before abandoning an
abundant supply like that of the
river for supply that very posi-
bly, would prove inadequate.
He advocated the adoption of a,
filtration plant and stated that this
method had proven effective In
many places where the water, after
having passed through the filtra-
tion plant, had been microscopically
tested and found to be pure. The
doctor stated that the typhoid germ
was tenacious of life and had been
found to retain existence after hav-
ing travelled long ways down a
stream, while 1t was impossible for
1t to get through properly con-
structed filtration plant. He urged
that the question of filtration be
thoroughly investigated before final
disposition of the water question be
made.
DR.. F. D. Stricken, municipal
health officer, in discussing the
matter, stated that tests made OF
the local water last spring had
proven that up to this time the pres
ent water supply was pure. How
ever, the health officer said that was
no guarantee that 1t would always
remain so. He called attention to
the process Of ozonizing the water
and stated that 1t had been tested
In several places and had been found
satisfactory. He stated that In
many instances water taken from
small mountain streams was found
to be impure and that in some in
stances filtration had not proven a
success and for this reason he urged
the investigation of the ozoniflcation
process, which was both effective
and inexpensive.
Fred A. Williams stated that he
had heard 1t said frequently that the
reservoir had not been cleaned for
some time and said that he had no
personal knowledge of the matter
but wished for information on this
point. Health Officer Stricken stated
in reply that last winter the reser-
voir was cleaned out once a month.
T. P. Cramer asked for informa-
tion as to whether the Layton ditch
was taken out above the last settler,
stating that II 1t was not, the water
in the ditch was unfit for use. Sew
eral members Of the club said in
reply that the ditch was taken out
of the creek some distance above
the last settler.
]. G. Riggs urged that expert
ments be made to determine whether
or not II would be possible to sink
artesian wells in this part OF the
valley He went on record as favor
ing that kind OF a water supply, II
obtainable, above all others, as there
was no opportunity for contamina-
tion OF the water. Fred A. Williams
stated that efforts had been made
near Medford TO secure arteslan
wells but that the attempts had
been failures.
II. l. .Gllkey urged the city to go
slowly in the matter and called at
tention to the necessity OF compet-
ent advice as to the legality OF
water appropriation where other In
terests we're affected. He believed
that It would be advisable to inves-
tigate whether the city, in the event
that II bought the Layton ditch,
would be liable TO the farmers liv-
ing below the point where the ditch
returns to the creek. He pointed out
that the farmers below that point
would lose the use OF the water
which they now enjoy.
Mr.. Gilkey seconded the motion
and II carried unanimously.