New Britain herald., 1915-03-04
POLLUTION OF WATERS
 MUST BE STOPPED
States Report Of Special Committee
 Of State Board of Health.

signed to remedy the present condi- l tons or waters in this state to pre- ] vent their pollution in the future 1 will be introduced into the general l assembly, says the report of a spe- ] cial committees of the state board of health, which has been making a 1 study of the problems as authorized l by the assem oly of two years ago The report was made public last night The report, which is en exhaustive 1 one, covering nearly 15O printed pages and containing many photo- 1 graphs and charts, is signed by the committee; Edward K. Root Albert W. Phillips, Lewis Srerry, Arthur J. Wolff, Louis J. Pons, J. Frederick Jackson, and Joseph H. Townsend. Improvements Not Impossible In part, the report says: "Though we cannot say that the condition of the rivers polluted is directly affect ing the health of any community we l! know that in many instances it is of fensive to the sense of decency and that it threatens the existence of major fish life which is a source of revenue and 2 means of sustenance to many thousands of citizens of this state. The improvement of these con- ditions is not impossible nor would the expense be excessive if remedial action is taken iii time, the longer it is delayed the, greater the cost will be-"
 After showing tables concerning samples of water taken from many streams in the state, the report says: 'The board concludes that with few exceptions all the streams of the state give evidence of pollution. In the case of large streams like the Con- necticut, Thames and Housatonic; the flow is so large and the volume is in creased so greatly by the influx of salt water at each tide, on those DOT tions which are tidal that the dilu- tion is sufficient, for the present, to take care of the sewage and wastes from the different cities on them, pro- vided the outlets discharge far enough out from the shore to provide quick and adequate mixing and dispersion of the wastes and to permit their being carried away by the tidal cur rents.
 Not True of Most Towns.
 "Unfortunately, this condition is not true of most towns" continues the re- port. ''The outlets discharge at the banks of the river and very often above low water mark, the result be- ing the formation of banks of foul smelling sludge and solids and ex- creta floating in the surface. Only three of the large cities, Meriden New Britain and Danbury threat tn cir sewage before discharging it into the streams ~ ..
 Within the next few years many towns will be obliged to install some kind of plant and it is very important that the type of such installation should be passed on by the state board, in order that the rights of ad- joining towns and the public at large be protected. The streams which extend beyond the borders of the state into Massa chusetts all show signs of pollution
 Public's Rights Supreme.
 After discussing the pollution caused by wastes from factories, etc, the report says: "Connecticut is large ly manufacturing state and on ac- count of the excellent water power availab ble, many of these industries are situated on the rivers. These industries are of great value to the state and no action restricting them in the legitimate use of the streams to dispose of theip wastes should be considered when, however, their use Of the stream is such as to menace public health or offend decency, there should be no hesitation in stop ping it. The rights of the public should be supreme at all times. But the mistaken idea that the interests of public health and manufacturing industries are diametrically opposed should be dismissed. It has been one of the greatest obstacles in pre- venting the correction of pollution of our streams. Each needs the aS- sistance of the other and they should work hand in hand solving the prob len.''
 In conclusion the board says: Tt must be evident that the question of pollution of rivers is a very live one. * Even where purification works have been installed it is of considera- ble importance to have the water coming to the filter as free from or ganic matter as possible, in order not to overload the filter, and make tine cost of purification exceedingly high.' Rumor has it that Alderman D. B. Warwick who has announced his retirement from active political life,