Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-05-06
WATER SUPPLY OF
CITY IN CONSTANT
DANGER, IS BELIEF
Following Survey, Officials OF U. ;
Public Health Service Make
Report.
SOME RECOMMENDATIONS S

According to the report of Capt. Sol:
Pinctls and his assistant, OF the Unted
States Public Health Service, who re-
Gently made a survey of the water supply
system of Wilmington, including an
inspection of the sewer system IN the
vicinity of the Brandywine, and the
watershed of the Brandywine, the water
supply of Wilmington is in constant dan
ger Of contamination. not only from lack
of proper sewer facilities, but also from
waste and sewage from plants In towns on
the Brandywine above Wilmington
The report points out the danger from
plants UPSTREAM. as we'll as from plants IN
Wilmington and vicinity
Can't. Pincus and his associate, joel L.
Connolly. made the survey at the IN
stance Of the Public Service. because oi the
fact that trains OF railroads dong an lnter.
state passenger business are silpphcd
with water at Wilmington and other
points in Delaware, and the Federal law
requires that the water so furnished sralI
be of a certain standard OF purity. ne
finding in regard to Wilmington IS OF such
a nature that only temporary certificate
is issued to the railroads permitting them
TO use water furnished here. This certiti--
cate is for six months, and it IS presumed
that if conditions complained OF are
no. remedied. this certificate Will be re-
voked and the railroads not allowed 20
use Wilmington water.
c. II. Wells, Special Health Commls-
sioner for the State Board Of Health, went
to Dover. today, with the report. The
hoard doubtless wi, take immediate ac-
ton in the matter probab Y conferrlng
with the governor and Legis ature.
The survey was made from April l9 to
% by Capt Pincus and assistant, and they
were assisted by DR.. Herbert Watson,
State bacteriologst.
STATE CONTROL IMPORTANT.
In referring to the necessity for the
State having and exercising control over
the sources of water supply for the cities,
the reDort saws the State Board Of Health
is apparently powerless TO establish an
adequate supervision and control Tor tins
purpose, as it has not been granted the
necessary authority over pubhc water sys-
TENS and their operation. lhe State
Board of Health should he gwen power
to condemn waters which IN ITS opinion
are considered unfit for drinking purposes.
The raw water from the Brandywinc
has been found always heavily polluted
and frequently the cause of serious diff
cl1lties in the soneration of the plant,
neceSsitatIng notifications st times IN
the treatment and the utmost watchful-
ness over the conditions of the raw water
SAYS the report.
The report enters into an exhaustive
description of the Wilmington water
system. and methods OF publication
Calling attention to tables Of analytical
results of examination of the water, the
report saws that they furnish evidence
that all traces of significant pollution We're
not uniformly eliminated from the water.
II is suggested that greater accomplish
rnents must be obtained in the coagtllaton
and filtration process.
WHAT SURVEY INDICATES.
II is stated in the report that sewerage
facilities at the Bancroft plant offered
frequent opportunities for contamination
of the raw water by these wastes.
Although this is regarded as one OF the
principal sources OF danger, on account
OF the chemical waste, and the one re-
quiring immediate correction. the report
saws. an inspection of the watershed OF
the Brandywine shows that there were
many additional sources Of pollution.
The .Iessup K Moore plant, the expert
mental plant of the du Pont Chemical
Co. Hodgson Bros. Mill. the du Pont
Henry CLAW mill the Haglev Community
house. the Rockland mill of the Jessup
x Moore Co and thirty-two houses be-
klonging TO them, are cited as other
sources OF danger.
West Chester, Downington, Kevis
paper mil. Miller Paper Co. Bicklng
Paper Co. and Megargee Paper Mills
were looked into as sources OF contaml-
nation. Coatesville is regarded as one Of
the worst sources OF danger above Viii
mington.
ACTION RECOMMENDED.
The. principal recommendations made
by Capt Pincus in ms report, with refer
ence to Wilmington. are.
First. The trade waste and sewage from
the Bancroft Mills, after preliminary
sedimcntation and passage through fine
screens, should be carried below the water
works intake IN a watertght sewer of
ample capacity.
.. That the present 20-ineh tile sewer
be not used for any trade wastes, and that
it's further use for domestic sewerage
be dependent on the ability To repair
and maintain it IN water-tlght condition.
g. The industrial plants and settle
ments on the watershed above the Ban
croft Mills and up to Rockland should
be ordered to promptly discontinue the
discharge of untreated trade wastes and
domestic sewage, and 2 regular inspection
Of this section Of the watershed be main
tanned.
4. The removal Of the waterworks in
take to beyond the city limits, whereby
dangers of pollution from the Bancroft and
Augustine Mills and from the surface
drainage and sewer overflows Of the city
would be eliminated, is urged. In the
meantime it is advised that the possibltl-
ties Of the present waterwOrks raceway
as q primary scdlmentation basin be
utilized by providing properly controlled
gate at the intake whereby only the
amount Of water desired is taken IN and
by the addition Of chemicals at the upper
end to secure sufficient coagulation and
5edImentatiou.
:. Improved operation Of the nechani-
cal sand tllters Is necessary.
6. To minimize the danger OF water
supply after treatment it is recommended
gthat the cross connections with other
ssupplies be removed if possible Otherwise
FAN arrangement Of double check valves
4 should be installed at each Of these cross
connections.
In view Of the conclusions reached, it is
recommended that only q temporary certi-
ficate be issued to the railroad companies
IN Delaware doing interstate business to
use water furnished at Wilmington.
4 safe spring tonic. Clover Dairy
nlk-Adv