The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1914-11-21
Urgent Necessity for Stpppage
of Stream Pollution Pointed
Out by Expert.
STATUTE NEEDS AMENDING
Bureau of Sanitary Engineering
Should Be Established with
Broad Duties.
BY Scotland G. Highland.
Superintendent Clarksburg Water
Works aud Sewerage Board.

In the state of West Virginia, there!
Is no adequate control over pollution
of streams and sanitation Of water
ways in general, such as obtains IN
Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York and q
number of other states.
The state board of health has gem
eral powers relating to nuisances aud
presumably could secure the abates
ment OF cases Of gross stream pollu-I
tion on the ground that they coneti-
ltute public nuisance. However the,
state board OF health has never used
its general powers in this way except
possibly in minor and unimportant
cases. Il
1t Is the earnest desire OF all who,
are familiar with the prevailing con-
dttions that at the next session of the
Legislature the existing laws may be
supplemented for the better preset-
vation OF the public health with pro-
visions for preserving the purity Of
the waters of the state. The state
board OF health should have general
supervision and control over the wat
ers Of the state, in SO far as, their
sanitary and physical conditions af-
feet the public health and comfort.
1t should order sewage disposal
works to be installed, to correct and
prevent their pollution. The board
should be authorized in connection
Herewith to establish a bureau OF
sanitary engineering, with a sufficient
appropriation for It's organization.
Broad and active duties OF inyestig1@
ton and study may be prescribed. Z
r.. Scope OF Bureau.
The bureau Of sanitary engineering
should examine into all ipiiblie and
Iprivate systems Of water supply and
prepare maps and drawings OF the
same for reference. 1t should exam.
inc and patrol as far as possible the
water sheds or catchment basins OF:
all public water systems, and inyeszI
thgate and report upon all sources
Iof pollution of all public and private
water supplies: 1t should investigate
and report upon all public and pri-l
vate systems OF sewage disposal; Il
should inquire into and INVESTIGATES
offensive trades and nuisances, disz
posal Of trade wastes, sewage and.
other offensive matters, devise means
for their control, and perform such
other duties and exercise such;
other functions as the state board of
health may designate.
The examination of public and
private water supplies should be
made systematic and sufficiently fre-
quent to keep the public informed at.
all times as to the condition of the
water.
The best service can be rendered,
the people of the state by not mere
| ly trying to remedy existing unsani-S
tary conditions. but also by taking
care that proposed construction
shall not be of such a character as
to give rise to them in the future.
Lack of Engineering Services.
The search for maps, plans and
records of the various water sup.
plies and sewerage systems Of West
Virginia, and for information con-
corning them, has shown that many:
municipal systems have been built
without the engagement of proper
engineering services. and that lin
many cases both design and con-l
| struction are defective. The EFFORT
of many municipalities to keep down
expenses on water works construc-
tion by getting along without the,
services of an experienced engineert
or by engaging an engineer of infer
ior qualifications, has resulted in de-
ficient plants. i.
State Supervision.
The only sure remedy for the gem.
eral faults named is strict supervision
by the state board OF health over ali
water supply and sewerage desfgr
and construction, as well as over the
operation of such systems after they
are built Sources OF water supply
are too often chosen wiN out due res
gard to both physical and sanitary
quality Of the water yielded, or With
out consideration of possible neces-
sary treatment: and sewerage Is Of
ten disposed of in what may seem to
be the manner which will be the
least expensive. without regard to,
the nuisance that may, occur, or to
the effect that may be produced ON
neighboring settlements. ~
AS population increases, the need
becomes much more acute for pro-