The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1914-11-21
Urgent Necessity for Stoppage
Of Stream PoIIutioniP Pointed
Out by Expert.
STATUTE NEEDS AMENDING.
Bureau Of Sanitary Engineering
Should Be bIished with
Broad Duties.
BY Scotland 6. Highland,
Superintendent Glarksburg Water
Works and Sewerage Board.

q . a -
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 oil health has gem
eral powers relating to nuisances and.
presumably could secure the abatH-.
ment of cases of gross stream pollus
tton on the ground that they consti-
tute 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 Is the earnest desire OF all who
are familiar with the prevailing con-
ditions that at the next session Of the
Legislature the existing laws may be
supplemented for the better presses
Walton 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
ehould be authorized in connection
Herewith to establish a bureau of
sanitary engineering, with a siiffictent'
appropriation for It's organization
| Broad and active duties Of investiga-.
ton and study may be prescribed.
i Scope Of Bureau. ss
The bureau of sanitary engineering,
should examine into all public and
private 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 81
all public water systems, and inves
tigate and report upon all sources
Iof pollution OF all public and private
water supplies; 1t should investigate
and report upon all public and pri-
vate systems Of sewage disposal; II.
should inquire into and investigate
offensive trades and nuisances, dis
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 FREE
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
lily trying to remedy existing unsahi-
tary conditions, but also by taking
care that proposed construction
shall not be Of such a character az
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 cons
corning them, has shown that many
municipal systems have been built
without the engagement Of proper
engineering services, and that In
many cases both design and CON:
struction are detective. The effort
of many municipalities to keep down
expenses on water works construc-
tAOn Wy SSltiu6 dlOu6 WltuuuL LQ0
services Of an experienced engineer.
or by engaging an engineer Of infer
Tor qualifications, has resulted In de-
l;icient plants.
State Supervision.
The only sure remedy for the gem.
eral faults named is strict supervision
by the state board of health over all
water supply and sewerage design
and construction, as well as over the
operation of such systems after they
are built. Sources of water supply
are too often chosen wiz out due re-
gard to both physical and sanitary;
quality OF the water yielded. or with
out consideration OF possible neces-
sary treatment: and sewerage is off
Item 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-
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