Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial. (Wilmington, Del.) 1878-1928, 1920-02-28

Many years ago, the Board of Health
of our city, then composed of two MEM
bers from each ward and generally do
nothing body with little authority, had a
standing committee on impurities In
the Brandywine" II was the ostensible
duty of this committee to see that the
Brandywine river, from which the city's
water supply then was-and still is
drawn, was kept free from polluting mat
ter sent out from the industries located
along the stream. Nearly all of these in
dustries employed chemicals in their
processes, and when the refuse from the
establishments, with liberal mixtures of
various kinds of chemicals, was permitted
To flow into the stream, and thus con-
taminate the public drinking water, the
people were made aware that something
had happened. Then the Board Of Health
would protest, and that would end the
controversy until the next offending.
In years that followed the subject re-
ceived more practical attention, and ar
rangements were made for sewer connec-
tions by which the refuse from the es-
adjustments could be carried of without
flowing into the Brandvwine, and par
ticularly without finding outlet into South
Long Race, which carries the city's share
Of the Brandywine water to the pump
ing station. A great ref6-sn~was thereby |
accomplished, but still the subject is an |
open one, as was testified by recent events |
that have claimed official attention.
At a joint meeting OF the Street and |
Sewer Directors and the Water Com |
nissioners, this week, the subject of pol |
luted water was considered. there having |
been complaints, recently, of bad taste
IN the drinking water. 1t was stated /
that the sewer constructed in 1908 to
drain the Bancroft mills was not large
enough for its full requirements, and that
chemical refuse found its way into the
river. Refuse from the paper mills and
other places, IL was said, also had been |
washed into the river by foods following
the recent SHOWS. The street commissioner
said leakages had been discovered in the
sewer but had been attended TO promptly.
and that the department was conducting
an investigation with the design of pre-
venting further leaks. It was announced
also that the Water Department probably
would decide upon some system of
policing the stream permanently" with
q view to preventing further pollution
That these precautions will effectualIy
meet the situation hardly seems probable.
Other means would be advisable, and if
the cause Of complaint continues, will
become necessary. A practical solution,
also permanent, it has been suggested, S
might be found in careful review of the
situation, followed by conference Of all c
the parties interested and the adoption of '
3 plan that serves the purpose of caring t
Tor the refuse from all the industrial es- {
along the Brandywine, and I
carrying it off without the slightest dam Y
ger of any deleterious matter finding its '
yay into the stream "
1t ought to be possible to have such q
urvey. such consultation of all parties
Interested, and such an agreement upon a e
PRACTICAL and effective plan Of relief. Of il
curse, the public water supply must be is
dequately protected from contamination. 81
nd 1t IS equally certain the manu- 81
acturing establishments must have ample Il
rainage facilities The thing to do is to pl
rovide for both essentials in a per- sc
1anent and satisfactory manner.
Such plan would end all difficulty
n all time TO come. Doubtless it would d.
ost money, but the cost could be equally in
ssessed upon all the parties interested. til
he manufacturers along the Brandywine is
re citizens of intelligence and public pt
brit, who would be willing to do their
III duty to the community. 1t is rea-
,nable TO assume that such a plan, eff tn
ctively carried out, would be far more til
.tisfaetory than any system of police to
pervision and far less costly in the long ha
IL. no