The weekly tribune and the Cape County herald. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1914-1918, 1915-03-05

49, - lNSu. ou Van lAASAN1OiS EAoSC
but little reliance upon the results of
this test.
Enclosed herewith is a copy of let
ter from the State Bacteriologist dat
ed Feb. 10 which is self-explanatory.
You will note that two of the speci-
mems in the recent shipment referred
to We're free from B. Coli, while the
specimen from this shipment taken
from the garage tap contained a large
quantity Of B. Coli.
Analysis reports are being received
regularly from Professor Magill which
indicate that the water is sale Tor
drinking purposes. You are doubtless
being furnished with copies of these
reports.
You should continue to submit sam
pies for check tests to State Bacterial
ogist or Department of Preventive
Medicine. Confidence can be placed
in the test results, however, only on
the following conditions: All mains
should be thoroughly flushed off and
/ evidences of the December contamina-
ton by opening various fire hydrants
in the system, if this has not already
been done as suggestedby Mr.. BOwles
when in Cape Girardeau. Samples
| from the hill reservoir should also be
taken and analysed and if B. Coli OF
a large number of other bacteria are
present this reservoir should be drain
ed since it is quite possible that it
retains traces of the December pollu-
| ton. All samples collected must be
shipped in the standard sterilized con-
tanners provided especially for that
purpose and thoroughly packed in ice.
The hour, date and place of collection
must be recorded on tag accompany
ing sample, and if the analysis indi-
Gates suspicious water, the hour and
date of arrival at the laboratory, as
we'll as the general condition of sam
pie on its arrival, must be stated in
the test report. Taps must be allowed
to run wide open for several minutes
before collection Of samples. Collec-
ton for these check tests must be
made in the presence of a member of
the Water and Light Committee, pre-
ferabiy yourself, and a representative
of the company, preferably its man.
ager.
Careful observations of these de-
tails will insure confidence in results,
and if these results continue to indi-
cate the Dreesnce of dangerous bac-
terra in various portions Of the sys-
TEN, it must be assumed that the COM
pany is not furnishing the water it
should and Il will then be advisable
| for you to file formal complaint with
! the commission against the company.
1t is likewise suggested that you file
a formal complaint if the company
does not observe due diligence in car
rying out the various improvements
contemplated and touched upon in Mr..
| BOwles report. The commissions
counsel wilt assist you in preparing
a formal complaint should you so de
sire.
A copy of a letter from Mr.. Wur-
dack dated Feb. o 5 enclosed here
with as Hf Interest.
For the Commission,
T. NJ. Bradbury, Secretary.
Feb. 10, 1915.
Mr.. j. D. BOwles,
Department of Light, Heat, Water
and Power, Public Service Com
mission,
jefferson City, Mo.
Dear Sir: l have just finished the
analysis upon specimens of water re-
ceived from Mr.. Black, chairman of
the Water and Light Committee. Cape
Girardeau, Missouri. The two speci-
mems taken from the drug store taps
were found to be free from colon
bacilli and also to contain safe num-
Der of bacteria per | &C. The speci-
men taken from tan in the garage
was found to contain large quantity
Of colon bacilli. If these taps are all
supplied by the general city supply,
| must conclude that the specimen
taken from the garage tap must have
been contaminated in taking, as the
other two samples indicate a safe
water for drinking purposes. These
specimens were all planted according
to American Public Health Service
methods and incubated for forty
eight hours at 3712 degrees.
For any further tests of this nature,
kindly consider me at your service.
Very, truly yours,
Geo. H. Jones, VI. D.,
State Bacteriologist.
Feb. %, 1915.
Public Service Commission,
jefferson City Mo.
Gentlemen: Your letter dated Feb.