The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1922-03-31
PxoSrgENr WHEELING CHEMIST
ANSWERS OBJECTION TO
PROCESS
SAYS Chemicals Are Removed After
Fabrication, Leaving Water
Pure and Wholesome

In response 20 an inquiry made by
City Manager Charles IL pOwler TO the
Coleman Laboratories concerning the
proposed two million dollar filtration
bond issue and as to what the condition
Of wheellng's water Is today. the FOL
lowing letter was received yesterday BY
The city manager from John coleman:
"Mr. c. H. Dowler.
CITY Manager.
Wheeling. W. Va.
Dear Sir:
I'm answer 70 your question as 20
whether or not approve OK tie rapid
sand nltratio as proposed for the pu7'-
6catlon Of wheellng's water supply. ana
also asking me TO give YOU an opinion
"a to what the condition OF the water
Ia after Il IS altered and what erect II
has on those who would use u 'o7
drinking or other purposes. woaid aU'
wise as follows:
Tho objections made By few o,
the people are that the chemicals USED
In tho rapid sand filtration system arc
Injurious TO health. Others say tna'
even IL these chemicals are not thju-
rlous,, the thought OF drinking chcnic"lS
IN the water Is repugnant and othsFS
again say that the water so purdue"
could not be used In tho sick room OF
given to small children without pro-
ducing some I'll effect.
The facts In tho matter are. ina
while chemicals are put In the water
thsy are again removed after serving
their purpose. The two chemicals use"
arc known TO everyone. namely. aluHs
and lime When these two chemlca1
salts are mixed properly IN certain pro
nortiops n new ipSoluble compound IS
formed known as aluminium hEdrate.
which IL GelatinOuS COMPOUND anN
acts in the water similar 10 the "httc
OF an egg when placed in CoUee - C'"'
lfy T. Mother words. In thIs process
the chemicals used act only mecEanl''
ally and are removed entirely IN '"1
filtration beds and At the Same time -"
moves 90 to SIS per cent or all a'Ct a"''
bacteria IN one operation.
After the water passes through 'H
sand filters. il Is perfectly clear otS *
Is treated further with chlorine as Il"
additional safeguard. which destroy
any pathogenlc bacteria and reduces tns
ysnsra1 bacteria count TO practically NIL
Chlorine Is now being used in our
city water supply upon he>order or the
state health department The reSu1
has been that since then typhoid fever Is
nr,,ctically eliminated. but under Inc
rapid sand filtration now recommendcd
there will be considerable less chlorine
usad on account Of the great reduction
of bacteria In the filtration beds.
"rn this process OF filtration OHIO
river water, no matter how mucn dE'
and bacteria It may contain, II maze a.
puro a. any spring or well water anu
Win be perfectly safe to give 70 TINS
1tex and small children There VIII De
no odoE or foreign taste. and II Is rs
refreshing and wholesome as any water
we could possibly conceive ME
xnrinp or we'll water may De good today
there Ia no assurance that X WIZ re
main so. Changes brought about b.
r,I,s drainage or other conditions read
iry contaminate them. Under the pro
nosed dltratlcp plan the water Will %
standardized and tested each day ar'
manor measures promptly taken II
Test should show any sign or contam'ha
zion. The water being tested and stan
dardlzed daily before permitted TO &
into the mains and ultimately 10 th'
consumer. the citizens have the asSuf
ance that the water Is free FROM dan
rerous bacteria and Is perfectly $3t'
for drinking purposes.
This process or method FOR purify
in. water Is not new. II has PASSED th'
experimental stage. II ms tHe ~
prevail OF the medical authorities an
public health officials OF our country.
There IS nothing so important IN :
nopulated community as nAcra! sapp.!
OF pure water for domestic purposes
Science has come 20 orr reSc2e. chem
tstry and bacter!ology make Il posi-
BILE. no matter how much contamina'''
a body OF water may be. :; can be mad
pure and safe 70 drink. Ep'dem'cs I"
typhoid and other intestinal diseases at
unknown where modern hi'rat"n r.aa
is in operation and carefully contTo'!c
as required.
We trust tina, the voters o. Whcel'n'
will decide at the polls :h2t they wan
pure water in their homes and th'reo
get the assurance OF good health. Wh!r
means happiness and prosnersty
"VCrty truly yours.
-(S!gncd) JOHN COLEMAN.