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

CeSSlNe Tree ammonia may De tut re-
suit of the oxidizing action of iron or
other metals on the nitrates present,
while in surface waters 1t may be
produced by the action of fungus.
(2)-the nitrites found in deep we'll
water may be the result of the re-
duction Of nitrates normally present
in the soil and consequently is no in
dex to organic pollution. The chem
list in other words may detect organic
pollution in water, but he Is unable
to state definitely whether such pollu-
ton is of animal or vegetable origin.
Here let me state that water pol
luted with organic matter Of a vege-
table origin, may not be the best
kind OF water to drink, but may be
nevertheless harmless. t3)-then the
last and most serious objection is that
water may be entirely free of or
ganic pollution and yet contain the
germs of disease. Numerous in.
stances have been cited, showing
that water pronounced on chemical
evidence to be above suspicion has
been proved to have caused serious
epidemics of typhoid fever and dysen-
terry. This leads us to the considera-
ton Of the most important phase OF
water examination that OF bacteriol-
ogy. BY means of Koch's plate meth
cd of isolation we are able to detect
the specific cause of disease. will
not attempt to discuss the details OF
the meteorological examination Of
water, suffice 1t to say that the value
of the results obtained depends upon
the experience and technique of the
sanitarian; he has many obstacles to
overcome, but that he has been sue
cessful and is becoming more and
more proficient is shown by an ever
decreasing death rate and a dimin.
ishing frequency of epidemics. /
hope that have succeeded in making
clear to you what is meant by the
terms, Pure and Impure Drinking
Water" If have you will the more
readily appreciate the facts to be
submitted concerning "Utah's Water
Supply" Because of the many diff
ferences peculiar to various sections
of the state, differences In altitude
and climate, differences in rainfall,
differences in geological formations,
differences in location as to compare
tive proximity to mountains, ETC..
differences in soil and drainage, and
differences in the habits and customs
of people, 1t would be manifestly i'm
possible to enter into more than a
general discussion of the water ques.
ton. | will therefore attempt to
point out to you in a general way
the problems confronting us as a state
and will assign to you the task OF
adaptation, All water from whatever
source obtained, comes originally by
precipitation from the atmosphere. In
many places the rain or snow water
is the only source of supply. This Is
usually collected as II falls upon the
roofs of buildings and conveyed by
| cutters and pipes TO cisterns, where
It is stored until needed. In al
probability rivers and smaller streams
supply the larger number of cities
and towns in the United States. Wher
the river or stream can be tapped
near its source, or before large
number of manufacturing establish
ments can empty their waste products
into its current, or before 1t receives
the sewage of considerable humble
of inhabitants living or its banks
the water can generally be considere'
safe. Among the minor objections L
this source of supply are the liabil
ity of most streams to become turbi
in time of freshet, and the discoloi
alton OF the water from dissolve
coloring matters If the stream flow
through a marshy or peaty region
The organic matter contained in tn
water of some streams even when pc
luton by sewage and manufacturin
refuse is absolutely excluded, ma!
however be the cause of disease. Fc
example, certain authorities clail
that the water from streams in N
braska, Wyoming and Utah contai
organic matter varying in amount 1
TO .2S parts per million, and that Ii
, disease known as Mountain Fever
, due to this large amount of organ
. matter in the drinking water. tt
. source of this organic matter seen
to be the melted snow which maxi
. up a large portion of the stream
a.