Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1915-05-15

cesSes OF treating unWhOleSOme and
Objectionable conditions in the Annap-
oils water supply. after they had be-
come manifest my report said:
believe it would be wise and eco
nomical. as well as more satisfac-
tory to the users, for the city to do
away with even a possibility of tur
bidity or of bacteria Of danger
Gus nature in the water supply at
any and all seasons of the year.
For these reasons | would recon-
mend that as soon in the future as
possible filtration plant be in
stalled at the water works.
Water Company Finances Would JUS
tify Plant.
The Annapolis Water Company is
now supplying 10 its customers about
one million gallons per day. Pressure
filters would render this supply bright,
clear and sparkling at all times, and
of the highest degree of purity and
wholesomeness. and these could be To-
Gated close to the pumping station
and connected directly to the force
main. A bypass in the main would. in
case of extensive fires or other emer-
gencies, cut out the filters and enable
the water TO be pumped directly into
the main without going through the fl
ters. Five filters would purify mill
lion gallons III ten hours, or nearly
two million and four hundred thous-
and gallons in twenty-four hours, at
an approximate cost of $4,000 per filter
Sand and gravel in the filters, supplied
with them, is estimated to last several
years without replenishing. Once a
day these filters are washed with fill
tered water by reverse current, which
removes all matters that have collect
ed on the sand-bed A house for the
filter plant would have to be con
structed, and allowing for all expenses
connected with installing the plant the
cost would probably be around twenty
thousand dollars.
That the people of the State Capital
are fully as appreciativ eof pure wa
ter supply and should be as determin-
ed to secure it as the people of Balti-
more have shown themselves to be-
cannot be doubted. Our live, finely-lo-
Gated little city, with its widespread
fame as the heart of Maryland, its mu-
nicipal, State and national importance,
cannot longer remain undeedful of its
most pressing question of sanitation
and municipal welfare If Baltimore
filters 120,000.0O0 gallons of water
day. at an approximate cost Of 81
10000 for its plant, Annapolis. with a
population of. say. 10000. ought to be
willing to spend one hundred and
twentieth as much
Annapolis draws thousands of
visitors every year from all parts of
the country because of its associations
and interests. and is always ready to
welcome new residents. temporary or
permanent. A filtered water supply
would be an added attraction OF com
fort and convenience, as well as safety.
the real value of which cannot be
overestimated
From the financial view of immed-
late expenditure, the cost OF fltra-
ton system. such as would answer
all purposes. need not be a deterrent
TO its installation.f for this could be pro-
vided for out of the income of the wa
ter department without touching the
ordinary revenues of the city. That
the financial condition of the depart
ment would warrant this highly de-
sirable and very necessary improve
ment to the plant may be seen from
the fact that in the three years the
city has owned it. it has paid. in net
income. the aggregate of $3S.72217
In behalf of the water department
wish to make due acknowledgment of
the willing support and confidence OF
the Mayor. Counselor and Aldermen
and of the Health officer and City
Commissioner. whose cooperation has
greatly facilitated the work of the de-
partment in bringing it up TO its pres
ent state of efficiency.
And my colleagues and myself duly
appreciate the faithful services OF
the Superintendent. George Linthicum.
the Engineer at the Works. James
r. Brady. Secretary Treasurer Frank
II. Thompson. and Supervisor of Col
lections. J. Henry Zeller.
GEORGE T. MELVIN.
PRESIDENT.