New Britain herald., 1929-05-14
CHARACTERISTIC ENERGY
 AND DISPOSAL PLANS

AND DlStOSAA FAhNS
 The second biennial report of the State Water Commission for the years 192s-sS, is at hand. The water commission is composed of Frederic C, Walcott, of Norfolk (now U. 8. senator). George T. kimball. of New Britain, and Walter R. Steiner, of Hartford.
 Pollution of the states streams is dealt with exhaustively in the report. One inevitably comes to the conclu- sion that few cities and towns in the state. situated near any of its streams. can point with pride to it. self. Among the cities dealt with in the report is New Britain. to wit:
 "A number of years ago the city of New Britain constructed a sew gre filtration disposal plant in a natural sand and gravel bank. Owing to certain industrial wastes discharg- ed into the sewers the beds gradu- ally lost their efficiency. Another factor contributing to this result was the rapid growth of the city with corresponding increase in the volume et sewage to be filtered. The filter beds have not been increased in area to care for the steadily mount ing volume, with the unavoidable result that they have practically ceased to function. The experience of this city illustrates very forcibly the necessity of providing for ex- pansion of the sewerage system as the demands placed upon it grow with an increasing population. Necessary expenditures made from time to time. as occasion demands. are much more economical than al- lowing conditions to reach the point where the whole plant must be re- built
 New Britain's sewage Is. as a consequence. reaching the Connecti- cut river via Piper's brook and the 6ebethe river in practically it's raw state. A great deal of work has been done by the commission in the study of the situation as result of which An engineering survey has been car- Fied out at cost of approximately S7.5O0. The program was progress ing satisfactorily when a change in the city government took place and the new administration has not yet taken up this problem.
 The situation remains about as stated. There are few grains of conn., fort in it. For the city to contribute . notable share toward elimination Of water pollution will cost money. Anything that costs money must be handled with gloves. So long as there is no compulsion about it. so long . as the state does not insist that something tangible be done, there is little likelihood that the cities of the state will act until conditions become "unbearable.
 By going back to the 19a5-as re- port of the State Water Commission and turning 10 what was remarked about New Britain's efforts at tha, time. one finds something interest ing to compare with the 1928 re. port. The 1s25-c6 report included the following:
 U. The attitude of the city O, New Britain towards the duestio1 and the steps which this city is now taking are Illuminating and highl, interesting.
 Very early in the existence of the State Water Commission a specifi, complaint of pollution of the Con. recticut river in the vicinity of Mid dletown was received. Investigation revealed that all the sewage iron Hartford. West Hartford and Eas Hartford reaches the river untreated Just below MiddIetown the Connec ticut state hospital adds it's sewage New Britain's sewage. via the Matta besett river, reaches the Connection just above Middletown. The cumu Iative effect is most marked shor distance below Middlctown.
 "A complete remedy require. that all sewage from the variou,