Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1912-07-19

fall in Vermont has not materially
changed since it has been inhabited by
white men but ii is equally certain
that the water flows off more quickly
and the surface flow is greater while the
ground flow is less. The swamps that
bordered every stream have been drained,
the beds of the streams have been
Strengthened and the brooks and rivers
are less constant in their flow than they
were. even half a century ago. Brooks
that were mill streams fifty years ago
are now nearly dry after long spells Of
dry weather; they are roaring torrents
after heavy rain. The conditions that
existed when the entire state was cover
ed with dense forest can never be
restored. The winds will bring the water
from the ocean as they have done for
centuries; but the downward flow of the
rainfall will be rapid. This rapid drain
age may be modified and checked by
the erection of reservoirs at convenient
places near the heads of rivers; but this
expedient is costly. 1t is, however, the
only method by which the water power
of the state can be restored, and at
some future day 1t will be done. The
continued prosperity of the state will
demand it. The future heat, light, and
power of the state lie in the streams
that flow down its beautiful valleys.
Most of the cities and villages of
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, poisoned and unfit for use
as drinking water. Although the exper-
fence of the largest cities has SHOWN
that the sewage is valuable as a fer
tilizer, when properly handled, few even
of our largest cities have as yet created
such systems Of sewage as will sepa-
10 " he 90
rial carried by it and render this mate
rial available for use in raising vege-
tables; New York city throws its sewage
into the ocean.
The rivers on which cities and vii
lagos have been erected with sewage
systems emptying into them cannot be
protected from pollution. The lakes and
brooks. the wells and the springs can
be protected. 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 flow
ing beneath the surface and out Of sight
In either case the pollution 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 domestic purposes. 1t is not unusual
now to see wells in use near a dwelling
and receiving its water below the level
of the house, A well so located is a
continuous danger. If any enteric dis
eases sezes an inmate and the excre-
ments are deposited where the ground
water may receive them, sooner or later
the well will be infected with posion-
GUS germs. No matter how clear the
water may look, a well near the house
and having its water surface far below
| the level of the house is sure to receive
| ground water with all ii carries of pol
| luton from a long distance in every
direction. The well affords an outlet for
the ground water and quiet water held
| away from sunlight Is favorable to the
| life of disease germs.
| A well is more dangerous to health
| than flowing spring. In Vermont the
springs that supply houses with water
! are seldom below the level of the house.
| In few instances water may be thrown
| up by using a hydraulic ram; but usual
| ly the spring lies at some distance
from the house 1t supplies. and well
above its level. In such a case il is wise
TO see that no pollution OF poison can
| come to the spring from a neighboring
house. not merely through surface water
running into the spring but through the
| ground water. 1t must be remembered
mat spring is not supplied from a
hidden reservoir of water Rain furnishes
the water and it comes down from the
little depression above 1t, more or less
remote, in the shape of ground water.
Most OF the farm houses in Vermont
have private supply of water from a
well or spring. Upon the owner depends
the protection of this source of supply.
The lives of the family depend on the
purity OF the water. Very possibly the
same source has supplied the family for
| generations; but even this should not
prevent the present occupant of the farm
from careful examination of the prob
able flow of the surface and ground
water that forms the supply. Conditions
may have changed; new houses may
have been erected; new sewers laid
new privies set up.
The protection of public water sup
plies rests usually with public officers
or with the directors of incorporated
water companies. Their responsibilities
are great. 1t is their duty to protect
the waters used by the public from all
disease germs. If the sources used for