Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1917-11-02
CITY WATER UNSAN|TARY
STATE BOARD OF HEALTH POINTS
OUT CONDITION. COMPANY
TO IMPROVE SERVICE

The water supply in this: city has
been pronounced contaminated and un-
sanitary by the state board of heath
and lengthy report on same has been
fled with the city council. The re-
port was read at a recent meeting Of
the council but no action was taken at
that time. The report is from the de-
partment of sanitation Of the state
board of health and is submitted by
II. A. Whitaker, chemist, and B.. M.
Mohler, director. The water which was
taken for the test was 8, cured here on
September 81, samples being taken
from the river at the approach to tho
flume at the station, in the pumping
station, at the N. P. Depot, the court
house and the Buckman hotel.
In the report it is statc.. that the in
vestigation was undertaken to check
no conditions relative to the srpply. It
was found that the chlorination +rea+
ment had not been applied during inter.
walls Of pumping on August 3, 80 and
81 because Of a difficulty with the chlo-
rine plant, which became clogged at
these times, and on August rs. 26, 81
and 28 because of break in the water
mains.
The break was said to have affected
only one pump, the other being operat-
ed but without chlorination of the sup
ply due to the fact that the water feed
to the chlorine plant was not connect
ed with this pump, the report states.
Trouble has been experienced with the
float meter on the chlorine plant, be-
cause Of the presence of liquid in the
capillary tube, which causes the float
to become lodged and to fail to respond
to the variations in the amount Of
chlorine being applied.
The report further says that the san
itary aspect Of this supply was unsat-
isfactory because of the irregular ap-
plication of chlorine treatment and
trouble experienced with the float me-
ter to constantly indicate the amount
of chlorine being applied.
The results of tho ANALYTICAL exami-
nation show indications Of marked con-
tamination in the water, evidenced by
the high bacterial count. The physical
examinations of the samples taken
from the approach to the f1ume and in
the power station, representing the raw
and treated supply, respectively, show
q low turbidity, relatively high color
and very faint disagreeab]e odor in
each instance. The chemical examina-
tions show moderately hard water
without incrusting material. in both in
stances. These examinations, the re-
port states, corroborate the field sur
vey, which shows irregularity in the
operation Of the chlorine treatment
The following recommendations are
made by the board in it's report.
That the amount of chlorine be.
ing applied to the water should be- In
creased to 6 pounds in twenty-fonf
hours. !. ...
2. The water supply ine to the chic
rine plant should be connected with
the discharge frcz1a i1 uutn: puurps, IN or
der that the chlorine plant can be op-
Grated At all times. ~.
3. Special care should be exercised
in keeping the chlorine plant in sat
isfaetory operating condition. It 10
very desirable that the float meter con-
|stantly indicate the amount Of. chic.
rine being applied. Provision should
therefore be made to correct the irreg-
ularityl which causes the float indica.
tor to become lodged in the capillary
tube. =.
4. Duplicate parts and, if necessary;
another complete chlorine plant, should
be installed at once, in order that 1t
will not be necessary to pump untreat-
ed water into the distribution system
when repairs are being made on the
present chlorine plant. "'Ss@
In conclusion the report states that
the field survey shows conditions which
are unsatisfactory from a sanitary
point Of view in regard to the recent
operation of the chlorine plant and in
the analytical results indications Of
contamination were found in the treat
ed supply. The above recommends
tions, should be carried out, in order
that the chlorine treatment can be
properly applied at all. times.
Mayor Bergheim is considering the
advisabilitv "l a city inspector who
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