Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-10-02

NtrsfFrl TH |f.Nf'tt ~ ArrTf -E-4' +. j..st.FtN 49,
clear, but which IL decidedly hard and
unsuited for many domestic purposes
as we'll az not so palatable as might
be desired.
I recommend in this connection the
earnest consideration by you Of the
Question whether or not there can be
devised q different filtration system
which will obviate many Of the OBJ
~jectionAble features Of the present sys-
water just q . clear, pure and whole
some and which, in addition, will be
better suited to domestic purposes and
which will be palatable. soft and
sweet.
The Improvement will be one which
will enure not only to the beneft of
ourselves, but to future generations,
and It might well be that some portion
OF he expense and burdens should
be left to those who will hereafter
avail themselves of its benefits.
There 10 a demand by the people
for this improvement and any reason
able expenditure made for the pur-
pose of furnishing a bountiful sup
ply of pure, soft and wholesome wa
ter will meet with their approval.
In his message to the &c, council ,9a dated
<ARiAb AVAtS M0yOI AD1AAIt1C 6dA0s
eve are indeed to be congratulated
that the recommendations made by
me a year e are now in a fair way
for fulfllment.
The improvements recommended
were Of a nature, the benefits OF
which would extend over a long Pc
riod Of years and insure to the next
as well az the present generation. 1t
was thought advisable to distribute
the expense in accordance with the
benefits which were accomplished
through the issuance of bonds IN the
sum Of $4,000 after an election by
the people authorizing such action.
These bonds will be paid by a sinking
fund, a portion of which is aecumulat-
ed each year and the beneflciaries of
the plant 20 years from now will pay
their just proportion of the cost
These bonds bear 4 per cent inter
money was received upon them on
February /, 1917, and is now upon
deposit bearing 4 per cen interest SO
that, until used, the bonds carry their
own interest.
"a softening plant will be installed,
which will be second to none in the
United States and the water furnished
to our people will be not only pure
and healthful but it will be soft and
harmless. @
THE benefits resulting from this i'm
provement cannot be overestimated
and it will bring relief to the house
wives of the city such as no other
single improvement"
Among other things Dean Eabcock
in his supplemental report to the
council February 5. 1917, said:
In the present method Of treat.
ment approximately 500 pounds OF
alum are added per million gallons.
The water then passes through the
settling basins on to the filter, beds
are strained as the water passes from
the filter beds into the clear water
chamber, about 20 pounds of hypo-
chlorite Of lime per million gallons is
added. The water is then stored for
pumping in the clear water reservoir,
Treatment Brought Odor.
As has been stated, the water, as de-
livered for consumption, appears to
be safe bacteriologically, but it Is no.
able quantity of other mineral mat.
ter In solution and occasionally carries
a noticeable odor, apparently from
the h~ypochlorite treatment.
AS will be noticed the proportion
I, of hypochlorite and the proportion OF
alum is high and it is apparently
largely due to the considerable use Of
the alumf>that the complaint, as to the
water, especially with reference as tC
%corrosion Of pipes and boilers and the
Increase Of permanent hardness IL
due. and a special effort should be
made at the outset to adopt q system
which will permit of a reduction In
the amount of both the alum and the
hypochlorite used, as well as the soft.
ening of the water.
Not only do the analyses and tests
| in tHn
alum, but in addition to this we have
found, by experimental tests, that by
the use Of lime and soda ash which
would be employed in the process OF
water softening, we were able to pro-
duce with one-third of the alum nov
used ahou twice az much flock as is
produced by the present method OF
treatment, and that when this is done
there is Only q trace, If any, alum OF
soluble aluminium compounds left In
that water.
Such Il reduction in alum would be
a great advantage. not only because
of the saving, but still more because
it would greatly reduce the necessity
of the use of SO large an amount OF
alum, which lie an undesirable chem.
tcal to have present in the water
since ~ is an active corroding agent
attacking pipes, boilers, ETC., besides
undesirable and unhealthy in drinking
water.
I would strongly recommend the
consideration Of the substitution OF
liquid chlorine in the place Of the
hypochlorite Of lime as being likely
to be more uniformly efficient. more
convenient to handle and as giving
more perfect mixture with less chance
of producing an Objectionable taste OF
odor.
When h~ypochlorite Of lime is added
without proper mixing facilities and
especially when added to the filtered
water going to the clear water reser-
voir, as is done in our present system
there seems to be a tendency for fine
floating particles of the hy%pochlorite
to go with the water Inc quite pos.
sibly get into the mains which may
be in part the cause of the slight odo,
and taste occasionally noticed herr
and there by consumers. If the use
of hypochlOrite of lime is continued
I would especially urge that 1t be add.
ed before the water passes to the filter
and mot as 1t goes to the clear wats,
reservoir and, furthermore. that
means of thorough mixing be provid.
ed at the point Of its introduction.
The water as delivered for use il
generally very hard, a condition which
is undesirable for drinking purposes
and which Ia uneconomical for other
household uses. Increased hardness
especially in the form Of permanent
hardness, 10 undesirable when the wa.
ter ts to be used for boilers, hot wa.
ter heating and for other similar pur.
poses"
The s0ftening Plant.
The contract with the Pittaburgh
Filter Manufacturing company was lie,
March is, 1917. inc the amount is
I 31%,632.