Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1921-12-16
Pure WATER

man are air, food and water and in
each case purity is necessary. Pure
water is luxury as well as neces-
sity. The abundant use of pure water
promotes health, while to be deprived
Of it is hardship. Impure water is
a disappointment and it may be a
positive danger.
A good public water supply is valu-
able municipal asset, not only enhane-
ing civic pride, but attracting to the
community manufacturers who use wa
fer in their industries and who desire
ample fire protection for their prop
erty.
The history of sanitary engineering
tells sad tale of the misery and death
resulting from drinking water infect
ed with the germs Of such diseases as
cholera, typhoid fever and dysentery.
The term pure water is not sat
isfactory one. In the first place pure
water does not exist in nature Be
cause of its great dissolying power,
foreign substances are always pres
ent. even though unseen. These sub
stances, mineral or organic. solid or
gaseous, living organisms, perhaps,
give to different waters the various
properties that collectively determine
its quality, or, as we say, its purity.
In the second place, these various for
nign substances act differently and
the amounts of the substances pres
ent. as well as their nature, determine
the quality of the water. A good drink
ing water may be a bad water for
use in the laundry, and it may corrode
pipes. On the other hand, good water
for boilers may be dangerous for per-
son to drink. The term pure water"
therefore, does not have a definite
meaning.
The first characteristic of water
fit to be used for drinking, for brush
Ing the teeth, for cooking and for the
miscellaneous uses of the household, is
safety from infection; that is, freedom
from the germs of disease. Bitter ex-
perience has shown that water may
cause typhoid fever by transporting the
living typhoid germs from some per-
son sick of the disease to some well
person. This is simple mechanical
transfer of the germs. The water plays
no other part than that of floating the
tiny things along, unless we may say
that it keeps them from drying up. The
typhoid germs do not multiply in the
water, but, on the contrary, die out lit
tie by little, and SO lose their power
TO do HARM
The germs of these various diarrheal
diseases, typhoid fever, cholera and the
like leave the bodies of sick people
in urine and bowel discharges. Sew
age is always liable to contain them
If sewage finds its way into lake or
stream, or ii the contents of cesspool
or privy soak into the ground and per-
colate to some well, the germs of these
diseases may be carried along, ready
to start the disease in some one who
drinks the infected water.
Water that is contaminated with
sewage or withsfecal discharges is dan
gerous to, drink. 1t may not always
cause sickness, because the sewage
may not always contain germs from
persons sick of typhoid fever and 9TH
er waterborne diseases, but it is al
ways dangerous.
The surest and best method of safe
guarding the quality. of public water
supply is by some means of artificial
publication. This publication may be
carried on by boiling, filtration, steril-
izatlon with chloride of lime or liquid
chlorine. 1t is always well to consult
the State Board of Health in relation
to waters that need any type of pHri-
fication. 1t is safe to say today that
almost any water can be purified and
made safe and wholesome
Always remember the following facts
in relation to a water supply:
l. Pure water is luxury
2. Pure water is a necessity.
). Pure water is cheap.
4. Impure water is dangerous.
8. Impure water is expensive.
6. Surface water must be purified,
5. Qualities to be sought in water
wholesomeness, cleanliness and
softness.
.. Filtration makes water clean.
10. Filtration makes water reasona,
bly, safe.
IL. Filtration should be followed by
sterilization.
u. Hard water may be softened
Filtration hoc hx,