Evening journal., 1920-05-10
NODANGER IN
WATER SUPPLY
Some Pollution, But Not
Enough TO Cause Alarm,
Engineer Says
CITY DEPARTMENTS
DISCUSS SITUATION

That there is some pollution OF
the Brandywine Greek and that there
has been some controversy regard
Ing the adequacy Of the sewer, does
not indicate that the city water sup
ply is impure, as it is supposed by
many Wilmingtonians who have
placed themselves in a state Of dis
tress, according TO a statement made
this morning by 5. N. Van Trump,
chief engineer Of the department.
Mr.. Van Trump wishes to impress
upon the consumers that the local
water supply is as good as there is in
the United States, and that ii is the
intention Of the department TO keep
II in that state, despite the fact that
/ there is some slight pollution, which
the department is trying TO perma-
nently remedy. The department keeps
within and exceeds the required
standards adopted by the Treasury
j Department for drinking water sup
piled TO the public by common car
riers in interstate commerce. The
present state Of pollution is SUCCESS
fully combated with a lavish sup
ply Of chemicals.
A conference Of The Street and
Sewer Department and the Water De
! partment was held this morning in
! the office Of Mr. Van Trump. Dis
cussion as to the responsibility Of
pollution in the creek took place
Mayor Taylor and President of City
Council George T. Lyons statement
that f-Tasmuch as some Of The trouble
has been traced TO the chemical dye
stuffs wastage from the Bancroft
| 81. - IN, "a IT,
guilty and legally accountable fol
the elimination OF the offal, causeC
difference of opinion in the meeting.
Mr.. Van Trump would not commit
himself regarding the matter, al
though he briefly summarized It, a,
whether it is the fault OF the Ban
croft Company, who are paying taxel
for the use Of the sewer, or whether
IL is the city's fault that the leakinl
sewer discharges the Bancroft vast
into the Brandywine. Although tn
solution OF the problem is clear, tn
engineer would not commit him
self. The matter was turned over q
the legal department Of the city TO
decision.
In the meantime the Street AM
Sewer Department is al work OF
plans for a sewer system, and IS max
ing rapid progress on the survey ans
estimate OF cost. Mr.. Van Trum
concluded by saving that the pOllu
tion question will crystalize IN one o
two forms-either the erection or
new and efficient sewer or Nhe re
uloval Of the city pumping plant 10
point above ROckland. IL is for IN
cjtv 10 decide which and the expendi
ture in either project will be larg
4 although either undertaking VIII b
Z worth while
4 The difficulty Of pollution first Orie
4 mated with the observance tnd
I trouble existed with the water SUI
q ply late in December. The service ,
4 ihe Water Department was cmploye'
with instructions 10 find the source
pollution, and correct it in a way ths
ID may not occur again. Experts WEI
employed bO find The source or trot
With the aid Of Or. Gellart ALL
, man. OF SWarthmOre, samples OF u
water were tested each day, and lat
reduced 10 once a week. The reSu
q indicated that chemicals were beir
y admitted into the water. Finally
Q was found that the 20-inch tile sew
: was leaking and overflowlng..
!, A report was forwarded TO the Boa
, Of Water Commissioners who. in tur
/
. Department. The latter made a sep
:, rate investigation and concluded tn
~ ~ a new sewer must be built. To a
y pease the pollution IL was found ne
u essary TO add three times the regul
- amount OF alum and chlorine In ord
to acquire the proper coagulation
"A water
q Then Captain Pincus came TO inve
n tigate the water supply in The sta
y for the government, hearing that
~ bad taste existed in the water.
~ was told that it was so and u
,d source OF pollution was discovere
m and that steps have been taken
n remove the contamination. COmpb
: Wills, assistant engineer OF dist
\ button, assisted him on the final c
u animation OF the creek, which resu
A. ed In the government report, ov
d which there is so much discord.