The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1920-02-25
CHEMIST PRAISED
BY THE STATE

In spite Of the fact that numerous
complaints arc being heard regarding
the taste and smell or the water being
furnished hy the Hammond water de-
partment with charges that much sick
moss IN the city Is due IL the excess or
lack or chlorine in the water. tho long
series Of tests conducted ey City
Chemist A w Lockhart show that
the city's water supply has been SAT
er" since the first Of the year than at
any time IN many months.
Mr.. Lockhart has just received from
John g. DigEs. director Of the Water
and Sewage department Of the state
Board Of Health letter enclosing the
annual certificate of approval of the
city's water fer drinking and cooking
purposes \ letter has also been re-
ceived from Secretary y. Hlrty ~
the state Board Of Health compliment
ing Mr. T.ockhart on the system he has
worked out in Hammond and the res
suits which are being attained.
Under the system which is being.
used for several months bacteriologi-
cal tests OF the water We're conducted
BY the chemist. This required al least
three hours and as Il takes the water
about three hours to come from the
plant TO the city. a least six hours
must elspSe before the results 81 any
recommended change in water treat
ment could be expected 70 be noted in
the city In the meantime change Of
the direction and velocity Of the wind
might alter conditions 50 that the de-
gree OF chlorinization might be two
great or not enough
This lead to the adoption OF the svs-
ten1 now in use whereby samples 81 tn
water are given the color test at
two hour intervals at tho plant. This
test shows whether the amount Of
chlorine in the water il sufficient t.
accomplish the work or sterilization or
whether an excess Is being introduced.
The complaint IS often heard that So
much chlorine is being used that the
taste q the water is unhearabie and
70 this Mr.. Lockhart replies that 81
only enc time has there been an ex
cess q chlorine that it was noticeabla
20 me taste That was on sunday
February IS. when the excess was
ma4nts ned merely to give tho public
chance q earn just how IL tasted
"tarm ) often expressed OVER the Az
III results which might follow the m
trodneticn Of an excess of chlorine
This is probably due to tho notorfetv
which chlorine has gained through i'll
use in the war
In order to have sufficient chlorine
IN the water to harm person. fl
would be undrinkable says M. lock
hart. fcr the gas which would be
thrown on by the water would suso-
cate person when brought to the
fps This would be q higher dose
age than the plant equipment could
possibly introduce The amount now
used IS s. infinitely small that it's ores
ence cannot be detected BY the state.
Mr. Lockhart has been Investigating
the various doors and tastes which oc-
cur from time Is time and says that
the one generally attributed to chlor-
Inc is probably due to waste products
dumped Into the river and lake IS the
chemical plants but which Is practical
y harmless. It is particularly no
from the east or southeast bringing
the shore water and its pollution froal
Gary East Chicago and Whiting.
Whiting is blamed for the smoky.
musty taste or smell so often noticed
The only way these disagreeable fes
lures can be eliminated will be
through the use OF filtration plant
or By extending the winter intakes far
out into the lake. Is the opinion cf the
chemist. Under the present system
the city viii never have what can be
called good water but tho only hope :