The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1925-12-17
The Cify's Water Supply
Passes Inspection of the
Department of Health

disagreeable odor, coming from the
city water in certain portions of the
city. After several complaints had
been made to the Light and Power
Commission they requested the State
Board of Health to send a man here
to take samples of the water from
various portions of the city, especial
ly from those points where COM
plants had been made. These SAM
pies were taken Dec. 1.
The first of the week DR.. J. F.
Dubois, health officer of the city re-
ceived the report from A. j. Chesley,
executive officer of the State Board
of Health. The findings report that
the water is absolutely safe for do
nestle purposes of all kinds.
The Herald publishes the letter
(not the technical data herewith
In order that Herald readers may be
able to- better understand the letter
the names in parentheis after each
number used in the letter indicate
where the samples were taken:
24773 Pumping Station); 24774
(High School /; PATS &C. R. Gray
residence); 24776 (W.M. Parker resi-
dence) PATTI (Sauk Lake Creamery
PATS III. J. Wagner residence) !;
PATIO IF. w. Sprague residence) +;
2478O q. H. Simonton residence) !;
The department letter follows:
"This water supply is obtained
from six eight inch tubular wells
averaging 40 feet in depth, located
at the pump station. The water is
pumped to low receiving reservoir
and from there it is pumped to an
elevated steel tank from which it is
distributed for public consumption.
data relative to this supply are
contained in the reports of previous
Investigations made by this Division.
The last investigation was under
taken January Is, 1923 at which
| time the sanitary aspect of the sup
ply was considered satisfactory. No
changes<have been made in the con-
struction of the supply since that
date which would affect the sanitary
aspect. This investigation was made
to determine the condition of the
system following the occurrence of a
weedy or woody taste and odor in
the water.
analytical Data: See analytical
sheet attached. Samples Nos. 24773,
24774, PATTI, 2477s, PATIO, and
24780 represent water collected
from the pump station and various
points on the distribution system
where the taste had been quite pro-
nounced. The psychological ex-
animation of these samples shows
the water to be of good sanitary
quality as evidenced by the low to
very low bacterial counts and the alb
sence of the B. Coli group in 100 &C.
amounts in all cases. Samples Nos.
PATS and 24776 represent water
collected from the distribution
system lat the Parker and C. R.
Gray residences). The bacteriologi-
cal examination of these samples
shows indications of contamination
in the water as evidenced by the very
high counts in the C. R. Gray sam
pie, and marked contamination in
the Parker sample as evidenced by
the presence of the B. Coli group in
c. c. amounts. The physical exam
nation of Sample No. 24780 shows
water with a very low turbidity,
low color, and no odor. The Chemical
examination shows a moderately
hard water with a very low iron con-
tent. 1t is the opinion of this Division
that the indications of contamination
in Samples Nos. 24775 and 24776
are due to local conditions and have
no sanitary significance. They are not
sufficient cause for any alarm. 1t is
believed that this condition IN gener-
al is caused by lack of circulation,
and perhaps special attention to flush
ing in the affected districts would
improve conditions.