New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1928-07-07
A SLOW SAND FILTER


Although W. L. Hatch, chairman
of the Board of Water Commission
ers since 1922. has seen fit to re-
sign, he has the satisfaction OF
having won a victory in connection
with the approval Of city hall to
build a slow sand system OF filtra-
ton, which he and the board advo-
Gated, rather than a mechanical or
rapid sand system.
The memoranda regarding filters,
issued by Chairman Hatch on June
q, thoroughly gave the boards rea-
sons for preferring the slow sand
system for this city. 1t il noteworthy
that the councilmanic advisory COM
mittee, which presumably investi-
gated the claim that the firm OF
Hazen & Whipple of New York, In
constructing the Providence filtra-
ton plant. had changed from a slow
sand system to the mechanical sys-
tenn, is satisfied that the slow sand
system is the cheaper and better
for New Britain.
Chairman Hatch in his memoran-
da based upon the engineering
firms report OF 1920, succinctly
pointed out that each system has Its
advantages, but the mechanical
rapid system was developed to meet
the demands Of sections of the Unit
ed States having waters high in tur.
bidity and color. That Is to say
where the water is highly colored
or carries suspended dirt or turbidi-
ty. rapid sand filters are almost al
ways used. But where the water is
clear, as is the case
at Shuttle Meadow. and the color is
correct, then the slow sand filters
may be used. A paragraph from the
report
There are more turbid and
colored waters In the United
States than clear low colored
waters and this explains the
greater number of mechanical
filter plants in existence here
and the fact that more OF them
are being built. 1t is a fact,
however. and one that the
board is in a position to demon
strate, that for the conditions al
New Britain the slow sand fill
tration system will cost less to
build and much less to operate
than will the rapid sand sys-
tenn
Mayor Paonessa referred to the
Providence system as one worth in
vestigating. This was fair. But con-
ditions in Rhode Island cannot be
the same as in central Connecticut.
As a matter OF fact, the filtration
system in Hartford was more
worthy OF considering. conditions OF
the water supply in that city being
similar to those In New Britain. In
Hartford the slow sand system Is
used with success and satisfaction.
The advisory committee and all con-
cerned agree at last on this first
step, the choice OF type OF filter.
The Board of Water Commission
ers. after having shown that its plan
was logical for this city. finds that
Mr.. Hatch is willing to step AVN
from office. James J. Watson will
be his successor as chairman. The
chairman is paid 1900 4 year. the
only member of the board to re-
ceive pay.
Mr.. Hatch is entitled to com
for an able and consci-
cntious espousal Of the city's inter-
ests during his six years Of public
office. He did yeoman service in
causing the city to realize the i'm
portancc of an expansion of the
water system, which the mayor took
up with vigor on assuming office ak
a means of providing employment
TO citizens. 1t was only last March
that the Common Council took q
lapse and decided to postpone for
further study" the plans presented
by Chairman Hutch. but later upon
that Edward +. Hall
and his Board of Finance and Tax
alton were prepared to pass favor
ably upon the project. or had done
30. took renewed heart Even then
It was deemed necessary. on the
mayors suggestion. TO appoint a
special advisory committee for the
plan study. which finally has backed
the original scheme.
A PERSON Atty TOUR
Efforts seem to be under way to
have Al Smith do more talking I'm