The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1912-05-28

ammonia and nitrous acid and should
contain but very small quantities OF
nitrites, chlorides and sulphates.
(5)-It should contain less than
one milligram of lead per litre.
(e-It should contain no patho-
genie bacteria and but few water
bacteria.
Now that we know what a good po-
table water Is, let us apply this
knowledge to our own conditions and
see Just how far short of the ideal,
the sources of supply in Utah will
come. | shall endeavor first to des-
cribe existing conditions as accurate
ly as possible; then | shall give you
simple tests in order that you may
be able to investigate conditions for
yourselves, and lastly after you have
satisfied yourselves concerning the
existence of certain conditions
shall attempt to suggest remedial
measures. AS the chief source of wa.
ter supply in the country and in the
villages and small towns of Utah is
derived from ground-water, it is i'm.
portant that we have a clear under
standing as to what is meant by the
term ground-water. At variable
depth below the surface of the
ground, a stratum of earth or rock
is found through which water passes
with difficulty, II at all. Above this
there is stratum of water which
moves from higher to a lower level,
and which varies in depth at differ
ent times according to the amount
of precipitation train or snow-falD
and according to the level of the near
est body of water toward which it
flows. This stratum of water is
termed ground.water, and has within
the last few years assumed consider
able Importance from its apparently
close relation to the spread Of certain
of the infectious diseases namely ty.
phoid fever, cholera, dysentery, etc.
The direction Of horizontal flow OF
ground-water Is always toward the
drainage area of the district, usually
toward lakes, rivers or the sea.
Rains. irrigation or a rise in the
river, will cause rise in the ground.
water, while long continued dry wealth.
er, or low stage Of the river which
: drains off the ground-water, causes q
fall in the latter. No doubt many or
all Of you realize these truths con
corning ground-waters; at least you
have observed the rise in the level
of the well ct the advent of the irri
cation season and its subsequent fall
at its close. 1t may be difficult tc
convince some of you that there Is
direct relationship between the
= rise and fall of the ground-water ant
the prevalence of disease. But Il
T you will stop to realize that between
y the level of the ground-water and tn,
A surface, there is a stream of eartl
l. more or less moist, due to previous
n saturation from rainfall or irrigation
o and that in this stratum of soil, tn
i processes of decay and putrefactiol
are continually going on, you will
VI appreciate how easy 1t would be 10
It such pollution to work its way int
h your source of supply (your WE'LL
d We will say for example that the are
is upon which a house or town is bull
G. is in moist state from any caus
a. whatsoever and that the processes c
,r decay are active, the ground-water ri!
G. es, the ground-air becoming charge
,e with carbon dioxide and other proc
20 ucts of decomposition, is forced on
n of the pores of the soil by the risin
Is ground-water, and escapes into tn
st external air, or through cellars an
n, Easements into houses, and ma
n. there cause disease. The saturatio
III OF the soil with water prevents tn
&c further development of the bacteri
D. of decay, and this is checked or d
~ trefactlon may take place. If no
Id the ground-water sinks to its form'
ne level, the processes of decay agai
or become active in the moist stratum
n. and large quantities of carbon dio
be ide and other inorganic COMPOUND
lie are produced. If the germs of di
w. ease have been introduced into Il
oil soil they also multiply, and by gal
be ing access to the well or strea
N. from which the drinking water is o
nd tanned, they may cause infection.
Is great authority has laid down Il
ee rule that a soil with a persistent
he low stage Of ground-water, say