Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-09-30
City Water Supply
Found Safe for Use

out Thursday by DR.. w. j. Young in
regard to the tests of the city water
which have been made recently at
the State laboratory. together with
the analysis of the water made there.
During the week ending Septem-
Der 24, several doctors unoflcially
reported about 300 people trou-
bled with digestive disorder and
diarrhea. On ascertaining that no
analysis of water had been taken
since these people became sick, the
health officer, rather than wait to
collect a sample of water send it
away and get results of the test, i'm
mediately suggested that people boil
their water. This was done because
outbreaks of typhoid fever invari-
ably start in causing stomach and
bowel trouble, whether the cause is
found in oysters, milk. cheese or
water AS it was not the season for
oysters and as water is usually at
fault, the above suggestion was pub
lished.
The first sample of water was COL
lected and sent away September u.
On unconfirmed test reported from
Augusta on September %, the pres
ence of gas was noted. So a second
sample was taken, sent away and the
people advised to continue boiling
the water Today the report on the
two samples has been received and
the report given in full, showing that
the water is not contaminated and
Will not cause typhoid
The letter from the State Depart
ment of Health which ACCOMPANIED
the test was written by P. C. Nc
Gouldrick, director, read as follows:
Analyses of the samples of water
which we received from you on Sep
TENDER 2Ist and 23rd, show this wa
ter to be free from all bacteriological
evidence OF contact with pollution
Presumptive tests for B Coli were
made and as there was a. slight gas
formation we ran a partial conirma
ton test on Endos Media and then
complete confirmation by inocuIatine
pile from the plate. No sign of 3.
Cob were found in either of the
samples. In order to make an ey-
'Ns-''-HNN'OAA VI ms AiIlu 1t takes elI
least three or four days. so that will
explain the delay in my report. AS
long as the water maintains its pres
ent condition, it can be safely used
for all household purposes and
should not cause disease among its
suers.
Dr. Frederick c. Thayer, president
of the board of trustees and general
manager of the Kennebec Water Dis
trict, issued the following from his
office Thursday evening
To the patrons of the Kcnnebec Water
District:
The following letter just received
explains itself and requires no com
ment.
State Department of Health,
Augusta, Nc, Sept 80, 1921.
kenneboc Water District,
Waterville, Me.
Gentlemen: We have lust finished
complete analysis of the water which
YOU sent me on Saturday last. The
analysis shows the water to be a safa
one in all respects. There was neither
chemical nor meteorological evidence
Of the water being in contact with mol.
luton or containing anything injurious
to health. and as long as it maintains
Its present condition it should not
cause disease among its users. W.
nave taken little longer than usual
IN making this report as we have con
firmed each and every step in the
analysis therefore causing a little
delay but making sure that there
would be no mistake
I am not enclosing the results of
the analysis as they have not been
tahulated Yet. but will send them
within a day or So
Very truly yours.
p. c. McGOULDRICK,
Director.
1t might he we'll to state that an
analysis of the China lake water je,
regularly made and our patrons may
he assured that should it ever be found
TO contain evidence of pollution they
will be put upon their guard at once
Any person at any time may see the
tabulation of analysis at the office of
the kcnnebec Water District. should
he so desire.
FREDERICK c. THAYER.
President Of the Board Of Trustees
and General Manager.