The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-14
FURTHER PROBE OF
 FIVE MILE CREEK Dr. B. B. Ross and Dr. Eugene Smith Engaged DIR. DUNCAN REPORTS States He Found No Bacteria in the Water Now Furnished Northside
 by the Five Mile
 Creek Dam

belleNlng that the citizens of Nortf Birmingham are entitled to the full. est information regarding the purity or impurity of the Five Mile creek water and also the city wells. the city commissioners will cause a further in- vestigation by well known experts oi the matter dealt with in a report ot Dr. E. M Duncan, city bacteriologist presented yesterday. They mean nc disrespect to Dr. Duncan, but have con- cluded that in order for all time the stigma of impurity may be removed from the water or placed there by ex- perts, another investigation should be made. Such was disclosed by the com missioners yesterday.
 The city will have the examination made by pr. B. B. Ross state chemist and also by pr. Eugene Smith of Tus- caloosa. It may be that a sample oi the water may be sent to the depart ment of agriculture in Washington fol final analysis.
 The report of Dr. Duncan follows:
 "September 12. 1912. Hon. A. O. Lane. Commissioner, City
 Dear Sir-Complying with youi request, will state that I have made a bacteriological examination of water collected from the large lake or basin which originally constituted the fiux- ing quarry of the Sloss-Sheffield Stee and Iron company, but which was abandoned some time ago, and which is now filled with water. This water is conceded to afford the supply tc the well formerly used at pumping station of the municipal water plant at North Birmingham.
 "The results of these examinations at this time did not show a large mum Der of bacteria per cubic centimeter neither was the presence of B. Col found in amounts of one cubic centf- meter Approximately 33 drops). These results do not coincide with the re- suits of long series of examinations made of this water in 1911, at the time the city engaged MT. Morris Knowles to make a thorough study of this water plant with the purpose of advising the city what he thought to be the best thing to do in making disposition of or improving the plant When the above referred examina- tions were made practically every re- suit showed an excessive number oi baCtoIld pItStHl WitH tuo pitoShtt VI B. Coli. an intestinal bacteria, in all most every instance, in amounts oi one cubic centimeter, which showed conclusively that this water was re- ceiving sewage pollution. Many oi these samples were taken from hy- drants from various parts of the city being served with this water. This was at a time when this quarry was being operated and the water was kept pumped down low.
 Very Difficult to Get Sample
 "At present since there has collected such large volume of water 1t is very difficult in collecting a small sample fol analysis, to get a sample to represent the quality of this water in it's entirety Then, too since the pollution of this wa ter may contain or may be receiving i' so diluted the same may fail to be de tected in the small samples collected fol analysis Then again it has been some time since we have had a heavy rain tC carry into this reservoir the surface drainage consequently this water is ap- parently perfectly clear. (But perfectly clear water might be absolutely dan gerous)
 Supply Receives Drainage
 ''The suns rays have a clarifying and purifying effect on water which woud cause the organic matter and bacteria to be decomposed and the same to gray itate to the bottom, and this large vol ume of water could not be agitated ir taking the sample. This reservoir or lake surely does receive much pollution from time to time from surface drain age. following rains. and its surround. ngs are not very satisfactory.
 This water supply has not heretofore been chemically treated to aid in its purificaHon, neither has a Altering pro cess been available. The old well from which the water is pumped Is closed in such manner that sample from this source could not be secured.
 Water Company Water Good
 "The results of the examination of sam ples of water collected from various To. cations from water being furnished by the North Birmingham plant of tho Bir-