St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1912-07-10

Vermont, as well as other states
have systems of sewage that empty
into the streams that flow through
them, The water of the larger
streams is therefore polluted, poison,
ed and unfit for use as drinking
water. Although the experience oil
the largest cities has shown that the
sewage is valuable as a fertilizer,
when properly handled, few even OF
our largest cities have as yet created
such systems of sewage as will sepa-
rate the water from the mass of ma
terial carried by it and render this
material available for use in raising
vegetables; New York city throws
! it's sewage in the ocean.
The rivers on which cities and
villages have been erected with sew
age systems emptying into them
can not be protected from pollu-
ton. The lakes and brooks, the
wells and the springs can be protect
ed. These are the sources used for
the supply of drinking water. These
sources may be contaminated either
through surface water flowing visibly
into them or through ground water
flowing beneath the surface and out
of sight. In either case the poIlu-
ton must come from surfaces above
the source used. Water will not flow
up hill. The utmost care should be
taken that the germs of disease shall
not be thrown out by drains, sewers
or on the open ground above any
source of water that is used for do
nestle purposes. 1t is not unusual
now to see wells in use near a dwell
ling and receiving it's water below
the level of the house. A we'll so
located is a continuous danger. If
any enteric diseases seizes an inmate
and the excrements are deposited
where the ground water may receive |
them, sooner or later the we'll will |
be inflicted with poisonous germs. No |
matter how clear the water may look, |
a well near the house and having it's
surface far below the level of the
house is sure to receive ground wat
er with all it carries of pollution |
from a long distance in every di-
rection. The well affords an outlet
for the ground water and quiet wPter
held away from sunlight is favorable
to the life of disease germs.
A we'll is more dangerous to health
than a flowing spring. In Vermont
the springs that supply houses with
water are seldom below the level
of the house. In a few instances
water may be thrown up by using
a hydraulic ram; but usually the
spring lies at some distance from
the house it supplies, and well above
its level. In such case it is wise
to see that no pollution or poison
can come to the spring from neigh
boring house not merely. through
surface water running openly into
The sprink but through the ground
1.14
4 spring is not supplied from a hid
len reservoir of water. Rain fur
aishes the water, and it comes down
from the little depression above it,
more or less remote, in the shape
If ground water.
Most of the farm houses in YER
mont have a private supply of water
rom we'll or spring. Upon the
owner depends the protection of
his source of supply The lives of
he family depend upon the purity of
he water Very possibly the same
source has supplied the family for
generations; but even this should
lot prevent the present occupant of .
he farm from a careful examination
If the probable flow of the surface ,
ind ground water that forms the
supply. Conditions may have chang
I'd; new houses may have been
erected; new sewers laid; new privies
let up.
The protection of public water :
supplies rests usually with public !
Dficers or with the directors of incor- !
Dorated water companies. Their :
responsibilities are great. 1t is
heir duty to protect the waters used ;
W the public from all disease germs. {
the sources used for the supply of ;
public water lie in cultivated ground
he danger of disease is great. A G
Jingle case of typhoid fever, I'M /
killfully cared for, may poison hun
Ireds. G