Evening journal., 1920-07-01
STATE TOWNS
HAVETAINTED
WATER SUPPLY
lContinned From Farst PacnA

A'NAiahA'A AA1Nll ENADN -ttfruI
and sterilization or the polluted creek
water is a factor which must be
seriously considered. SO far as is
known the Wilmington water supply
Is safe when delivered to the con
sumer, but the Federal authorities
gavo the railroad companies only a
provisional permit 70 use the water
owing TO the sources OF pollution that
may az some time cause serious re-
suits. As soon as these potential
sources or danger are removed an
unconditional permit will be granted
Ihe chief source OF pollution is
within the city limits and is caused
by the overflow, at times Of heavy
ram, or tho sewer that conducts the
waste products from the Bancroft
plant. The chemical wastes thus get
INTO The raw water and prevent the
proper chlOrination OF the supply
even after 10 has been filtered. and
proper chlOrinatiOn is The only safe
guard against intestinal infections.
This condition can be remedied by en-
larging the existing sewer, and the
city authorities now have the matter
under serious consideration. With the
removal OF this source Of pollution
the city viii be able 10 treat the
water satisfactorily at all times.
"As with any surface supply. there
are countless sources OF pollution all
the way up the stream, but in the
main they are not serious from the
standpoint Of a water works engineer.
In order, however, TO increase the
margin n safety as much as possible
a survey OF the entire stream was
conducted and recommendations were
made (f) that all Industrial plants on
a.. ,.sI fI, snerf4fraI la InrnN
their trade wastes before discharg-
ing them into the stream, l2) that
only watertight privles be permitted
on the banks Of the creek and that an
inspection service be maintained 20
see that they are properly cleaned,
and l3l that more careful supervision
be maintained over the sewage dis
posal plants " the Pennsylvania
towns that are located on this water
sEcd The local water department has
fun authority Do cause the removal OF
an sources Of pollution that exist on
the watershed within the State OF
Delaware and the State Board of
Health VIII endeavor, through the
Pennsylvania State Board OF Health.
20 secure the removal OF adj real
sources OF danger beyond the borders
of our own State. With the thorough
cooperation OF all departments the
water supply of the city can be kept
at all times above reprOach
Relative 10 the water supply Of New
Castle, the bulletin states that the
towns water is obtained from driven
wells and the Nonsuch creek. The
supply from the latter is said 10 be
unit FOR domestic use, however. The
crude chlorinating plant, according to
the report, has not been used for six
months. In conclusion Il Is stated
that no analysis was necessary ~ CON
demn this supply.
The Townsend water supply Is con-
demned and the railroads not allowed
TO use any OF the supply on their
trains. The same action was taken
by the Federal authorities relative 70
the Harrington supply.
Tho analysis showed pollution IN
The Georgetown supply and the ran
road companies were f0rbidden 10 use
water from this place on trains.
Temporary certificates were allowed
the railroads 90 water their trains for
passengers use IN The case OF Clayton
and Delmar, although complaint was
made IN both cases Of the close prox-
unity OF cesspOols 10 the wells from
which ehe water Is obtained