The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1935-08-22

DIR. e. j. GODFREY
Health
have always felt that was for
tunate in Waterbury to have the
sympathetic understanding Of en-
lightened newspapermen, who al
ways seemed to know what we in
the health department were aiming
at. Likewise the radio, a recent
development, is bound to become
a vital influence in public health
work, and I can fairly say that
both of the stations in Waterbury
have manifested the same type Of
civic responsibility that has been
shown by the press.
Waterbury Industrialized
Waterbury, which is probably
known to you through the Inger-
soil watch, is a center of brass
production. Acres upon acres Of
floor space are devoted to manu-
featuring. Factories in our city
manufacture heavy brass, the
finest of copper tubing, some Of it
not duplicated anywhere else in
the world, an infinite number of
novelties, scores Of articles used in
the manufacture of ammunition,
things which help to complete the
automobile you drove here to this
convention, and, to put an end to
an enumeration which could be
built up into a speech, virtually
every type of article developed to
suit our times.
This means that our city Is a
typical Industrial community. Our
population Is cosmopolitan. Our
building construction types vary
from the simpler dwellings of the
laborer to the complex structures
available to wealth. Our health
problem must take into consid-
GRAFTON every element of diverse
population.
Tribute to Walker
At this point I should like to
pay a special tribute to your So
ciety's secretary and librarian,
James r. Walker, plumbing in
spector of the City of Waterbury.
l know that 1t will be point Of
enormous satisfaction to my even
tual successor, as 1t Is now to me,
and undoubtedly was to my pre-
decessors, to operate with that
complete confidence which is so
necessary, that such vital and so
basic conditions as come under his
| Jurisdiction are--for want OF a
more expressive word-right.
When we Stink what scourge
| 81 a~1 athnv Htsaooar tuhto n
are communicable in the same
fashion, could be in city Of
100000, we realize at once what a
service is being performed, quiet
ly and with little public recogni-
ton, by such experts as Mr..
Walker.
1t is not part of a medical edu-
cation to know all the fine points
of sanitary engineering, and I as
sure you that 1t Is one of the
greatest inducements to sound
sleep at night for a health officer
to realize that he has behind him
man of such ability and personal
integrity as Mr.. Walker.
Situation In City
Still bearing In mind my origin
al determination to be brief In my
remarks, I should like to sketch
for you the situation in Water
bury. We have, as / Indicated. a
cosmopolitan population of more
than 100000. Situated about 80
miles from New York in section
which has been engaged in manu-
featuring almost since Colonial
days, our problems are In general
typical OF the average industrial
city Of the East.
To fill In this background. I will
report that our average temper
ature is about SO degrees fahren-
heit. Our annual rainfall totals
about AZ inches. The city's area
Is 20 square miles and the maxi
mum altitude 46S feet above sea
level. tr. 't-
Water Works Unequalled
Were 1t not for the fact that
am to be followed Immediately on
this program by our distinguished
city engineer, Mr.. Cairns, would
like nothing better than to de-
scribe at length our municipal
water supply, which 7 consider one
of the most important factors in
our health situation. Suffice It for
me to say that our water works
in quality and supply Is second to
none, with a capacity of more
than billion gallons, pumped
through more than 200 miles Of
water mains. Three water sheds,
which supply 81 per cent of our
population connected with the
public water system, are main
tanned. These are inspected daily.
"Shepaug'' Interests
Nationwide interest, in the en-
cheering profession has been
manifested in 1.-THE Shepaug," a
| system Of dams and mains which
was built at cost of more than
million dollars, under the SUPER
vision of Mr.. Cairns. This project
has already been publicized In
articles circulated through many
professional journals.
In Waterbury proper the water
pressure is from 100 to ITO pounds
| per square inch. Our reservoirs,
which are protected by well-for-
ested watersheds, are bordered by
| ctty-owned land, ana poIlutlon Is
virtually impossible because of the
constant patrol maintained.
| The drinking water in Water
bury is tested every week in our
health department laboratories. II
Is not surprising that the tests
show a consistent purity, because
the water is disinfected with chic
rine as It leaves the reservoir to
enter the conducting water mains
Typhoid is practically unknown In
Waterbury for this reason.
Pools Tested
As might be expected. Water.
bury has a large number of swim.
ming pools. All such pools In the
city limits are tested weekly. and
our department IL insistent that {
Coll has no standing In tho com.
munity. 1t Is fair to say that W,
would instantly close any poo