White Pine news weekly mining review. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1910-1920, 1918-09-29


'6. The public water supply at
Ely is found to be unsafe for drink
ing purposes. The source of supply
appears to be properly protected
and is satisfactory, but the ditch
leading along the hillside from the
springs TO the reservoir is open to
pollution and a careful investigation
showed that it is being polluted with
human excreta. | made a careful in
| spection of the entire distance and
found a great deal of evidence of
trespassing along the ditch and in
three different places l found de-
posits of human excrement along
the edge of the ditch. In addition
found the remains of decayed
bodies of two dead sheep, not more
than five feet from the edge of the
ditch on the uphill side.
1T is evident from this inspection
that the ditch is not properly pro-
tected and the water is being pollut-
ed to considerable extent. / Was
informed also, by person who is in
position to know rom observation,
THAT the children are in the habit OF
playing along the ditch and frequent
ly go in wading and send their dogs
after sticks and other objects that
ere thrown into the water. More
ever the children throw in rocks
the water which rubbish has to be
removed at intervals. | am con-
yinced that some of the typhoid in
Ely is, traceable to the water supply.
collected samples for bacteriolo-
gical analysis at Mr.. Witcher's resi-
dence and at the Lincoln Garage.
Both OF these samples gave evidence
OF pollution. The total number OF
germs per cubic centimeter was over
200 in each sample.
'"rhe water supply must be prop
erly protected against pollution be-
fore you can hope to remain free
from typhoid fever in Ely. This can
perhaps be done most satisfactorily
and most economically by piping
the water down the canyon from
the little reservoir at the head OF
the ditch, some 65 or 10 feet below
the springs. The ditch along the
y ..1l h. n w0fQF
is wanted on the hill and behind the
Courthouse for power purposes. The
nine leading from the reservoir,
however, should not be connected
with the city mains that supply the
drinking water 1t is the duty or
the city of Ely to insist that this
safeguarding of the public water
supply be instituted at the earliest
possible date.
II will be recalled that for the
mast several weeks the committee mas
|labored arduously in an attempt TO
better conditions in the district ana
thus prevent further spread OF the
disease. All public places were Wis
tied by the COMMITTEES, not only in Ely
hut in East Ely. McGill and the
mines, including Ruth, Kimberly
land Riepetown.
This scrutinizing investigation u
most creditable to those having the
matter in charge. and will no doubt
result In far better sanitary condi-
|tions for the entire district.
The investigation was conducted
by a most impartial commltte rep
resenting various elements OF the
community, and is of such a nature
that no one can criticize, and the
general results. which will no doubt
be long and lasting. vii rebound to
the benefit OF the residents OF the
entire district.
The committee was composed OF
Representatives from the central body
|of organized labor, the child welfare
commibte and county officials.