The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-01-14

Health. In recent years, as is shown by the low Incidence of wa terborne diseases these methods have been perfected. Tho methods are confined chiefly to keeping tho supplies free from tho bacteria of NO ewage. as bacteria and mIcroseop- ical groWths of other varieties arc hnrmloss from c health standpoint although they sometimes cause unpleasant tastes and odors.
 Filtration and ehlorinati0n ar0 only part of tho process of proteG- ton over which tho Bureau of Sanitary Engineering must main. tain m unrelenting watch, Water is carried into the reservoirs by which surround them and their surrounding land, known as the watershed. must Do kept clear of sources of pollution, This is in- sured by frequent, Inspections. Dwellings and farms on the wa. tershods must Do checked to see that rains do not wash sewage into tho water supply. All sources or possible pollution along tho banks of brooks and streams which feed tho reservoirs must Do removed.
 Water supply officials and sanl. tary engineers of the State Depart. mcnt of Health cooperate in the inspection of drainage areas and of chlorlnatlon and filtration syB' tcms. Piping connections with un' approved water supplies are like- wise guarded Co prevent eontam. inatIon from that source, Samples of water from all public supplies arc taken regularly and subjected to chemical and baetcrIological cx. animation In the laboratories of the Statc Department of Health, so that pollution may be discov- cred and checked without delay. Connecticut has been fortunate I in that up to tho present time all public water supplies have been derived from upland streams and ponds unpollutcd by sewer outlets. The time is probably not far dis | tant, however. when larger streams, now polluted, may have to be used as sources of water sup. ply, Modern methods of purillca- | ton render this possible with per | feet safety, although increasing cf- l fort should be made to better the condition of rivers where sewage treatment has not kept pace with sewage discharge in order that un- due burden will not be placed upon the purlhcation processes. Likewise bathing beaches and shellGsh areas along the shores should be protected.
 The dangers of stream pollution were recognized in this state as early as 1890 and the construction of sewage treatment plants 10 avoid the emptylng of raw sewage into stream waters began shortly after. Construction of treatment plants has not in the opinion of sanitary engineers progressed as rapidly as this early start should warrant. Yet, there ae vaiety of types of treatment plants now availa ble which would eliminate stream and sound water pollution.
 The first extensive investigation of the condition of the streams in Connecticut is recorded in a | special report of the State Board of Health in 1914. Between 1917. the year in which the State De- partment of Health was founded. and 1921. the Industrial Wastes Board was appointed and numer- ous studies of pollution by indus trial wastes were made. In 1923. a special commission submitted a report on the question of stream pollution and in 1925 the present State Water Commission was formed for the purpose of clean ing up the waters of the state. The