The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1919-08-25
MUNICIPAL OWNED
WATER PLANT IS
RECOMMENDED
State and Federal Sanitary Engineer
After Careful Investigation Of
Maysville's Water System
Gives Six Recommends
tiOns-New Plant and
Filtration System
Are Needed.


Some several weeks ago Captain c.
N. Harrub, of the United States Public
Health Service, was sent to Maysville
by the United States Health Depart
ment and the Kentucky State Board
of Health to make complete investi-
cation of the local water supply. Dur
ing his stay here he has gone very
carefully into the whole matter and
due to his investigations the serious
condition of Maysvilles Water system
came to light through the press.
Captain Harrub's report covers
twenty typewritten pages and goes in
to detail in regard to the system and
its condition. He closes his report
with six very important recommenda-
tions.
A summary of his report, his con-
clusions and recommendations follow :
SUMMARY
/. Extensie studies OF the water of
the Ohio have proven that the stream
is grossly polluted throughout its en-
tire length, and that at no point can
the water of the stream be made safe
for drinking without efficient purifl-
cation.
2. The water supply is polluted by
local sewage.
3. Practically no Improvement in
| the character of the water is obtain
ed from the sedimentation process.
4. The disinfectant plant has not
| been kent in constant use.
5. Study of the typhoid fever con-
! ditions in the city indicate that the
water supply is responsible for prac-
tically all of the cases of typhoid.
6. Experience in other cities show
that typhoid fever can be practically
| eliminated by publication of the wat
er supply, a reduction OF S5 to 80 pei
cent. having been obtained In many
| places.
z. The water works plant has been
i hC6lCIltu. Inv NV
worn out, the boiler plant insufficient
the mains leaking badly and the pumr
house falling down From 10 to &C
per cent. of the water pumped is lost
by leaky mains.
| 8. The reservoir is old and anti
| quated and very much In need oi
cleaning.
| 8. The pressure In most parts q
the city is excessive and makes it diff
ficult to prevent leakage from house
fixtures.
10. The quality of the water neveI
has been satisfactory and for the pas
month the service has been entirel!
unsatisfactory. At no time during thu
period has there been sufficient wate
for fire protection nor for domestic
use.
II. Repeated demands by tn,
Health Department were necessary t,
obtain any protection to the resident
of the city against infection when un
treated water is pumped directly int
the mains.
12. Statements have been mad
that the Water Company intends t
do only what is absolutely necessar
to keep the old plant going.
13. Rates charged for water ar
excessive. They are two to thre
times the rates in many modern citie
where alteration is employed.
A. The method of assessing wal
er rents is neither fair to the Wate
Company nor to the consumer.
Is. Ohio River water is made saf
and satisfactory for domestic use 4
other cities by filtration.
CONCLUSIONS
l. The present water supply Of tn
city is extremely unsatisfactory.
2. The present treatment Of tn
water is inadequate to render 1t SAT
for domestic consumption.
3. The discharge Of sewage fror
local sewers above the water intak
constitutes a serious menace to tn