Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1922-11-29

gusta, wrote:
: State Department of Health
Augusta, Nov. 23. 1922.
Harry l.. Crabtree,
; Ellsworth, Maine.
! Dear Sir: On my return from ELS
worth on Monday, the Goth. I called on
Mr.. Graham at his Office in Bangor.
and talked with him over the situa-
ton in Ellsworth. / told him that
something must be done at once.
! Also, that they had been negligent in
not notifying the people of Ellsworth
| of the situation that the water should
be boiled before using. They said that
they would attend to the matter at
once.
/ viii you kindly keep me informed of
, the situation in Ellsworth.
Very truly yours
C. F. Kendall, M D.,
Commissioner.
P. S.-Have just had telephone con-
-versation with Vernon West. and he
promises me that they will remedy the
condition at once.
The next step in the investigation
was the visit here last Sunday of
Walter j. Brennan, director of the
division of sanitary engineering of
the health department. Mr.. Brennan
is the State expert on water analyses,
and made the analyses of the Ellis
worth samples. He came here to
make a personal inspection of the
water system, with the view of order
ing the changes necessary to prevent
a recurrence of the pollution. He
found conditions bad, but the water
company officials expressed willing
ness to cooperate with the health
board and to make the changes
recommended. His report in full
follows:
SURVEY REPORT ON ELLSWORTH
PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY.
On November 26, accompanied by Mr..
Everett and the new operator, l in
spected in detail the water plant
owned by the Bar Harbor & Union
River Power Co. This company trans
fers it's holdings to the Penobscot
County Water Co. about December
first. This survey was made to locate
and correct some defect in the system
that resulted in this public water sup
ply having shown a B. Coli content
upon examination at the State labor
atory.
The supply is taken from Branch
Pond stream. the outlet for Branch
pond. Both stream and pond are lit
tie, if at all. Influenced by habitations
or industries, and a survey showed
tnr
enters a "flter," which is really but a
strainer to prevent the entrance Of
fish and debris. This is eight feet
square and requires daily cleaning in
order that the volume of water re-
quired at the pumping station pass
through. Leaves. sticks and other ma
terial collect here, particularly at
times of high water. From this
strainer the water is piped in six
teen-inch main along the river-bank
until it reaches a point opposite the
pumping station. 1t then passes I'M
der the river-bed and enters the bot
tom of the receiving well. The river
at this point is badly polluted
This receiving we'll has an approx
mate capacity of 140 cubic feet, and
it is here that the trouble doubtless oc-
CURED The well is constructed of
| brick. is about twelve feet in depth
and has a crack extending across it
horizontally for about half its circum-
ference This crack is about six feet
below the top, and is fifteen inches
nearer the top at the side where the
| brickwork of the wen anchors into
| the wall of the pumphouse. Frost is
| the cause of this rupture, and l learn
! that three attempts have been made to
repair similar breaks. A considerable
! flow of water is noticeable from the
well wall back to the river, and be-
| cause the well wall extends about
three feet above the surface of the
| ground, it would be comparatively
| simple matter to eXcavate, laying bare
the break, and effect temporary re-
pairs l recommend that this be done
| Immediately.
The electrically driven pump install
lation delivers about 900 gallons per
| minute according to the meter, and is
| operated for an efght-hour period each
| day. This is an excellent apparatus
and has been giving good service. The
auxiliary steam pump is of ancient de-
sign. The water is delivered to q
stand-pipe nearby, having ca
pacity of approximately 100000 gal
Ions. Providing the mains are in gooc
condition and ample size, this shoulc
deliver to the business section pres
sure of over 100 pounds.
am quite certain that the pipe lln'
under the river is free from leaks, be-
cause the river at certain seasons II
heavily laden with sawdust and th'
pipe now is buried In a deep layer o
this and similar material. Were ther'
leak in the line, the system woult
soon show sawdust and the action o
the pumps would be interfered WITH
In conclusion, l would say that tn
crack in the well wall is the cause
the trouble, an infiltration occurring