Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-03-28

streams is of vital importance. The
. need for a study of the condition of
/ the Mississippi river at Moline, the
/ Vermilion river at Pontiac, the Kan
( kakee river above Kankakee and the
/ Vermilion river above Danville have
recently been called to our atten-
ton and an inspection was recently
made of the Dupage river at Plain
! field into which it was proposed TO
empty the sewage from the city. At
( the suggestion of the water survey,
/ laboratories for chemical control Of
filtration have been installed in Kan
kakee, Moline, Danville, Pontiac and
Cairo and one is being installed at
Streator With chemical and bac-
THEOLOGICAL control those in charge
of filtration plants are able to de-
termine the purity of the water they
are furnishing and to make any mod
ifications in the treatment when
necessary. The passage of the bill
will enable the water survey to make
the sanitary surveys of the water
sheds to show where streams used
for drinking water must be pro-
tected and where steps should be
taken to prevent a nuisance.
PROBLEMS STUDIED.
1.-The following are some of the
scientific problems which have been
studied by the water survey. The
results of this work have not yet
been published owing to lack of
funds.
Il The softening of water. The
amount of chemicals needed to soft
en- the water of 100 of the water sup
plies of the state has been deter
mined. This work is of value in the
household and in the mandatory.
-. Removal of iron from deep
drift waters of the state. This is TO
prevent the precipitation of iron in
the mains and TO prevent the water
from becoming turbid. This work
has been carried on in conjunction Z
with the Champaign and Urbana Wa
ter company. The results are cap
able OF general use wherever the wa
tiers contain iron.
Methods of treatment of Lake
Michigan water. Investigations to
determine the amount of chemicals
that would be needed in filtration
plants TO filter the water used by
cities north of Chicago where il is
impracticable TO extend the intake
to a great distance into the lake.
This work was done in connection
with the investigations of the Lake
Michigan water commission.
q. Sterilization of water with
bleaching powder. A study of the
latest means of water publication
The method has been adopted by
several plants within the state
-. Use of boiler compounds in
power plants. A preliminary study
Of the effect OF boiler compounds on
boilers. a subject of vital interest to
the user of power.
THE following problems will be
taken up as time permits:
Study of the mineral springs of {
Illinois for the purpose of determfn-
ing the character of the mineral
water and comparing the waters OF
the state with waters of famous min
eral springs. There is a growing
interest in mineral water therapy
The action OF ultraviolet rays in
water sterilization. This is q new
method of water treatment recently
tried in France and it should be
ested as to the possibility of apply :
ng II in Illinois.
METHODS OF ANALYSIS.
Continuation Of the study Of r
methods for the removal Of iron.
Methods OF analysis. A study TO =
perfect methods and obtain uniform 4
ty. Determination Of manganese. L
Of dissolved oxygen. /
This latter being very important as
the amount of sewage /
han can be allowed to flow into a 4
tream without creating a nuisance.
The scientific problems mention 4
d above should be taken care Of by \
he appropriation in the university
udget The special bill imposing
lew and additional duties provides
OF the field work and analyses nee
ssary in applying the result of the
work and in obtaining and
observing a supply OF pure water
D all parts OF the state.
Work of the kind mentioned in
be bill Is done by divisions of the
GARD of health IN other states es-
eciaily IN Massachusetts. New York.
lew Jersey. Pennsylvania. Ohio and
,ansas. The best work is being
one in Massachusetts and PeEnsyI- I