The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-08-22
CITY DECIDES
ON CLEANING
RESERVOIRS
Preparations For Job Started
This Afternoon, AnnOun-
ced by City Engineer
JOB TO BE RUSHED
Water Situation Bad, Danger
of Typhoid Epidemic Is
Seen by Bacteriologist
JOB TO BE RUSHED

IL was stated, naQ decided to clean
the reservoirs and bear the expense.
The work will be started tomor-
row morning, this afternoon being
devoted to preparations for the job
Water consumers are asked not to
use water for sprinkling lawns from
tonight until further notice, probably
two days, Mr.. Atkinson said. 1t is
held necessary to decrease the con-
sumption in order to permit speedy
cleaning.
Just how long the cleaning will
take is uncertain, but it is the inten<
tion of the city officials, it was said
to rush the job as much as possible
ances of its active life early yester-
water has been growing more criti-
cal daily for the last two weeks, with
additional reports of widespread
sickness being made.
r. M. Stanton, state health labora-
tory bacteriologist, said this morning
that there was danger of typhoid
fever epidemic as a result of the con-
dition of the water.
= The water, he further declared. IS
far below the standards required by
state health standards and the United
States Public Health Service. While
during the last five years, he said
except for brief periods, the water
had been kept within the standard
by use of chemicals, it is not now
within the standards and is a men,
ace to public health.
The condition of the water. which
has grown steadily worse for two or
three weeks, according to authorities
is now at about the worst stage il
could possibly be.
Today's Devslopments
Developments In the situation
earlier included:
E. M. Stanton Informally con-
ferred at the Attorney Generals
office on powers of the health
authorities. and planned to make
request for formal opinion to.
day through the city attorney.
Supcrintendent of the company
denied the statement made by C..
l.. Hanson before the commission
Monday night that chlorine is not
being put in the water. Mr.. Stan
ton said the chemicals were be-
ing nut in daily.
Some local citizens have dis
cussed bringing damage suits
against officers of the water
company for damages to their
health, that Of their families and
to ask damages because of .cx-
pense involved.
The water company, according
to one emplOye, asserts that the
plant belongs to the city and
that in the contract for sale it
was provided that title passed to-.
the city Jdne 8 and possession
passed when the city paid over
$265,OOO.
"A representative Of the bond
ing companies which purchased
city bonds and warrants was ex-
pccted In the city today for q,
conference with members of the
city commission, the purpose Of
which was not known.
Bacteria Count High
Mr.. Stanton, asked by The Tribune
what examinations of the water had
showed, said that the analysis re-
veals an exceedingly high bacterial
count, that the bacillus coli Var
exceeds the limit set by state and
federal health standards, that it
may produce typhoid fever, that the
high turbidity and the amount Of
colon and other bacillus produces
severe intestinal tnouble.
In addition to the bad condition of
the water there is stagnant mud in
the reservoirs which is an additional
breeding-place for bacteria. There is
SO much fine sand and stagnant mud
that chemicals can not, remove all Of
the bacteria, he said.
"The condition of the water is the
worst since l have been here in five
years" he said. "Most of the time the
water has been within the standard
with respect to bacteria, except dur
ing temporary high water for failure
to clean reservoirs. The company has
been cleaning reservoirs once or
twice year but in the last year has
made no attempt to clean them.
1T looks to me as if there is
criminal indifference to the health
of the people Of the city,
Boiling Order Issued M
Mr.. Stanton said he had been in
formed by one attorney that there
probably was nothing the health
board could do. He went to the At
torney- Generals office and discussed
the matter with Charles Simon.
special assistant attorney-general. He
expressed the opinion that the health
authorities could act but said request
for formal opinion would have to.
come through the regular channels
and he wouldn't give positive opin-'
! ion without investigation.
II should think" said Mr.. Simon
s 20 The Tribune. "that if there is =
menace to public health existing the
BOARD Of health could act."
/ The state food and drug commis-
pioner's office had had. man in
Bismarck recently to ask, public eat
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