Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 36, Number 269, 5 August 1911 — Page 2

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..slip . .. I PAG3S TWO. . THE RICHMOND PALLADIUM AND SUN-TELEGRAM. SATURDAY, AUGUST 5, 1911.

"T :: a I ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT

TO VATTEIR. ' (COFJSIUrMIIEIRS A water supply for a community should possess two important essentials, namely, quantity andquality. These essentials take precedence over, rates, for even if the latter are low, and the supply does not furnish absolutely pure water and an ample quantity for" necessary use, "the service is not perfect. Richmond has always been fortunate in this respect, and to show that it has been" more fortunate than many other cities, we give below data taken from trade papers and newspapers, and from letters received in reply to inquiries made by the Secretary of f the 'Commercial Club at our request. About forty such letters were mailed, and the following replies are those received fo datv We make no comment, but let the public decide as to the comparative service that has been given in the city for twenty-five years, and the freedom from typhoid fever.

July 13. 1910 (From Fire and Water Engineering.) rrom every direction, but more particularly from the west, comes the cry'of a scarcity of water. In sections where the drouth has prevailed, water famine is threatened, and despite the fact that instructions have been issued to consumers to exercise economy, in many cases where no attention has been paid, legal steps were instituted to check the waste. Appeals to top lawn sprinkling, too. during the crisis, have, in most instances failed of their purpose. In some cities it has been necessary during the progress of a fire to temporarily discontinue the service to consumers, thus creating great Inconvenience and perhaps hardship. In Denver, Colo., it has been necessary to discontinue the sprinkling of streets and the water company can hold out no relief. As a result, an epidemic of sore throats has developed; at sanatariums scores of latent cases have broken out anew due to "mixed infection" aBcribable to the excessive dust Health boards are fearful that the low condition of the water reservoirs will cause an Increase of typhoid, which disease has been kept pretty well under control during the past year everywhere. Dr. William Osier once justly announced typhoid fever as a proof and result of American carelessness in dealing with the water supply. The death rate from It is as high In the country as in the city, as those who migrate from the city to the country need to remember. For all the cities In the United States the deaths in 1908 were 28.5 per 100,000, while the average rate for five years following 1901, was 34.9 per 100,000. For number of years the rural death rate has kept at about 25 per 100,000. This is because the cities are improving their water systems, while the rural districts are not. In 1909 the deaths from typhoid in the city of Philadelphia alone were cut down to 21.2 per 100,000. For the past decade the variation In deaths has been greater than during the previous ten years because filtered water was introduced and reports mora strictly made. No city can neglect its water supply with impunity. It should be guarded more jealously than any other municipal necessity. ,It is to be lamented that when the demand for water is greatest in the Bummer months the supply owing to heat and drouths, is less abundant July 13, 1910. Denver, Colo., has a water, consumption of over 3,000,000 gallons daily In excess of the amount supplied, and the city faces a water famine unless it checks the unnecessary waste. July 13. 1910 Sanitary relief for the 500,000 residents of South Chicago and of adjoining Indiana cities, affected by the contamination of their water supply through the sewereage pollution of the Calumet river, has been assured by the action of the War Department. . A permit has been issued for the construction of a canal to connect the main channel of the drainage canal at the Sag with the Little Calumet river. Money for the construction of the ditch is available, and as soon as the right of way is obtained, the work will be started. It is estimat- , ed that it should be finished in 1915. This is the canal for which there was a public clamor recently when it was shown that Chicago south of Forty-fifth street, and a dozen northern Indiana cities were exposed to repeated epidemics of typhoid. July 6. 1910. The danger of a water famine in Denver, Colo., which has been so imminent that the water company has practically compelled consumers to get along with half their usual allowance for irrigation without any refund of the water tax, was ' considerably increased by the breaking of one of the five large wooden conduits bringing the .supply Into Denver. This decreases the daily supply by about 7,000,000 gallons. July 6. 1910. TJhe dry, Bccrching wind has accentuated the seriousness of the water situation in Denver, Colo., and unless a spirit of cooperation prevails, for several days to come certain parts of the city will fare 111 and a shortage all over the city will be. the result. Five conduits" are in operation; a sixth is ready to be connected, which -would add 10.000,000 gallons to the daily supply. The fire supply conduits can carry In 54,000,000 gallons per day but the consumption Is running from 65,000,000 to 58,000,000 a day and the difference from the stored water in the city 'reservoirs. '"' July 27, 1910, In order to combat any fire within the territory traversed by the Miami and Erie Canal in the city's limits the city off l- . , dais of Dayton, Ohio are sinking hogsheads into the bed of the waterway. It is believed this -plan . will result in a sufficient supply of watsr to meet: any contingency that may arise. Red posts w ill be erected - along the canal, indicating the location of the hogsheads. Trap doors are also, being cut in the bridges for the insertion of fire hose. These precautions are taken because of the shortage of water. July 27, 1910. Beaver City, Neb., is suffering from a water famine. The new waterworks system has never furnished an adequate supply, and since hot weather the mains have been empty for a large portion of the day. Patrons using water to sprinkle lawns and gardens in the night have exhausted the "supply for domestic purposes that would have been used during the day. Seven thousand dollars have been , . voted , to increase the supply of water, but no satisfactory plan has been settled upon as yet. June 1, 1910 South Manchester, Conn., has outgrown its water supply although several reservoirs have been built during the past twenty years. June 1. 1910. In the face of a threatened water famine in Norfolk, ,Va, an Investigation of the supply disclosed the fact that the city had been furnishing the Norfolk County Water company with water at lc per 1,000 gallons. The company in turn has been reselling the water , to residents of the Seventh ward for 40c per 1,000 gallons. June 1, 1910 Kalamazoo. Mich., is supplied with water from wells. The city has outgrown its water supply system to such an extent that the board of police and fire commissioners will recommend that the council. forbid the use of city water for sprinkling purposes during the coming Bpring and summer. As Kalamazoo is a city of many beautiful gardens, the order, If issued, will be a veritable hardship. June 1, 1910 Pittsburg, Pa., is threatened with a 'water famine this summer, if radical means are not taken to prevent it E. E. Laupher. city ' water expert, advises the laying of a water main from the Highland reservoir to the Herron Hill reservoir. He furthermore declares that if the compulsory Installation of water meters is not brought about, the city will lose about 11,000,000, a year for the next forty years. May 18, 1910. Zacualpam. Mex.. is suffering from a serious water famine. Troops have been stationed at the various fountains and allow each family to take only enough water for drinking purposes. The scarcity is caused both by dry weather and the bad condition of the mains . , which bring the supply into the city. May.,18,-1910. Hamilton, Ont, Can., is in danger of a water famine. For some days the lake water has been bo dirty that the Intake pipes leading to the filtering basin at the beach have been kept closed, and as the water has not been filtered through the sand into the basin as quickly, as it has. been consumed, the supply is running short. May 4, 1910. Notwithstanding that the Pottsvllle .Water Company has added a large modern reservoir to the waterworks equipment of Pottsville. Pa., it is claimed that the increased water supply would still be inadequate for the city's growing needs in the event of a protracted dry; spell. - March 23. 1910. An echo of winter 'comes from Moyie, B. C, which last week suffered from a water famine, owing to its supply system being frozen, up. July 6, 1910. Mayor Clayton, of St Joseph, Mo., proposes a system of whistle signals in case of fire, whereupon all persons using city watef lor sprinkling or other purposes would turn off streams at once. As a further means of conserving the water supply, the board of public works has ordered the street department to cease flushing the streets until .the pressure becomes better or the weather moderates sufficiently to ' terminate the present liberal use of water everywhere. August 3, 1910. The Daily News of Saginaw, Mich., confesses that It is losing many desirable residents on account of the city's poor water supply. , One roan who was about to erect a $35,000 residence has abandoned the Idea for the above reason. Ncv. 16, 1910. A number of the cities and towns -in the state of ' Mississippi dependent on deep or artesian wells for their water supply are 'seriously al aimed -over the prospect of a shortage, and are calling on their . citizens generally to be sparing in their use of water till the winter rains , fcave set in. . Some of them are considering the advisability of sinking .additional wells. In other towns the supply comes from springs, and these. are reported as failing, so that there is talk of artesian wells to .help out the springs. ' ';.', , , Ncv. 16," 1P10. The' scarcity of water around Hanover, 'v Pa,, is explained by the report recenUy issued by Dr. A. C. Wentz, TJ. S. co-operative weather observer for York county. The monthly average of rainfall ' for the 8usquehanna watershed, based on a 25-year record, is 3.52 inches . monthly. During the past nine months we. had only 26.83 inches Instead of 31.77 Inches, leaving a deficiency of 4.94 during 1910. , In 19Q9 there . was a deficiency of 12.38 inches, or a total of 17.32 inches over a water

shed of 50 square miles, from which Hanover receives its water supply. October 26, 1910. Rain last week is all that prevented a water famine in some of the northern New Jercey towns, especially those depending upon tha Hackensack watersheds. Conditions had become so grave as to cause apprehension on the part Of the state water supply commissioners who had visited that section on a tour of Inspection. An almost depleted reservoir, with scarcely any water feeding into it, and with not more than seven days' supply in storage, told -the story of. peril to Hoboken, Hackensack and a score of smaller communities that depend entirely for their supply on this source. . j ' ' Oct. 26, 1910. New Canaan, Conn., is facing a serious, water famine, ;, and it is expected that the authorities will order the puilic schools closed as a result of the local situation. There is only . one foot, of -water left" "" in the town's only reservoir, and this has to be syphoned out , -Residents of the town are allowed to draw water one hour in the morning and one hour in the afternoon. -f . ' November 16, 1910. The . water famine at Berlin, Pa., has c also reached an alarming stage,, and the light plant there is forced, to shut down very night at 12 o'clock owing to shortage in supply.. Residents are permitted to fill only a certain amount of vessels each day, the superintendent of the water company shutting off the. water at the curb after each has secured his share. Nov. 16, 1910. Joliet, 111., is suffering from a serious water famine. Within forty-eight hours the supply decreased from 9,000,000 to 4,500,000 gallons a day. All the driven wells are dry, the reservoir is empty and Hickory creek is a waterless stream. There is no relief in sight unless abundant rain falls at once. The city is being supplied by only seven artesian wells and pumping stations are worked to the danger limit raising water. ' v Nov. 16. 1910. Insurance companies are threatening to cancel fire policies in Purcell, Okla., unless there is relief in the water situation, which has become critical. Walnut creek, the source of the city's supply, has been dry for four weeks, and the water pumped from the water company's welts has not been sufficient for fire protection. The council -has ordered all water cut' off from hydrants in both the business and residence sections. " Oct. 26, 1910. The Delaware river at Trenton, N. J., is lower than it has been in years, 'and the board of water commissioners is fearful lest it may fall below the line of the intake pipes of the city's pumping station. It is said that the trouble is due as much to the raising of the dam ?t Scudder's falls as to the drought. The dam throws water from the river into the canal of the Trenton Water Power Company. This company's plant was recently purchased by Philadelphia capitalists, and the work of increasing the height of the dam was commenced during the summer. Oct. 26, 1910. Yonkers, N. Y., is beginning to feel the shortage of water from which nearly all of Westchester county is suffering. Although the reservoirs still contain a considerable supply, it will not last long and . steps may be taken soon to get an extra supply from New York City, as Mount Vernon and Ardsley are doing. There i 3 talk in Yonkers of acquiring the plant of the Consolidated Water Company at Pocantico Hills for $1,600,009. Oct. 26, 1910. Palmer, Mass., is experiencing a scarcity of water for all purposes. Artesian wells are being sunk to tide the town over until rair. fills the reservoir. Meanwhile Fire Chief Summers has made ar-' rangements for the protection of property in case of fire to the best of , his ability. The town's fire engine has been placed under a temporary shelter at the bank of the Quabbag river with lines running into the water and steam constantly up. From the engine a line of hose 900 feet long extends to Main street in the heart of the business district ready for constant use, and another to a hydrant on Water street, from which the back streets of the town could be supplied if the necessity arises. In addition scores of chemical fire extinguishers are being distributed throughout the town. . , . November 2, 1910. Fargo, N. D., is fearfuj lest Red River from which the city gets its water supply, will freeze solid this coming winter and cut off its supply. Approximately 41,000,000 gallons of water pass Fargo dally, the city using 20,000,000 gallons Nov. 2, 1910. A water famine was experienced last week as a result of the breaking down of both pumps at the Troy, Ala., water works. The piston rod of the large pump had broken about 10 days before and a new rod had been ordered from New York. Doing double duty was too much 'for the small pump, and that broke down, too. Ninety feet of ater was held in the standpipe for fire protection, and. wells, of which there are a few in every street, supplied the drinking water. Aug. 24, 1910 Charlotte. N. C is threatened with a water famine. The water board fully realizes the seriousness of the situation and is taking hasty steps to find some temporary means of adding to the supply. Aug. 17, 1910. More than thirty patrons of the Plainfield, N. J., Union Water Comrany had their supply cut off recently when agents of the concern found that they were sprinkling their gardens or lawns during the prohibited hours, despite the mayor's proclamation requesting all citizens to desist in using sprinklers during the drought. The Richmond City Water Works has never placed any restrictions on its consumers. Secretary Board of Health, ' . Dear Sir: This- city is negotiating for a new contract for rental of water hydrants, and in connection therewith we would like to secure data on the following questions relative to your water supply, etc. 1. Source of supply? ' , v 2. Is your water filtered? 3. Have you had any shortage of water within the past five years t4. What restrictions, if any, were placed as to usage on the consumers in consequence of 'shortage? 5. Number of deaths from typhoid fever for each of the past five years? We shall appreciate the kindness of any immediate reply and shall be glad to reefprocate when opportunity offers. Yours very truly, ' '. Chas. W. Jordan,. Seer. . ALTOONA: - 1. Mountain streams. : 2. Not filtered. M 3. Yes Past three years. 4. Use of hose forbidden. 5. 1906, 27; 1907, 22; 1908, 18; 1909. 12; 1910,13. MARION, IND.: 1. Wells. -. 2. Not filtered. 3. No shortage. 4. No restrictions. 5. 1905. 7; 1906, 4; 1907, 3; 1908, 2; 1909, 1; 1910,5. WICHITA, KANSAS: 1. Wells. . 2. Filtered. . 3. Yes, some. 4. The water" company restricted the use of water for lawn sprinkling to the hours of 6 to 8 a. m. and 6 to 8 p. m. They also strongly urged the Installing of meters. 5. None that was due to water. ' HENDERSON, KY.: 1. Ohio river. 2. Not filtered. - 3. No shortage. 4. No restrictions."" . 5. 1907, 10; 190S, 6; 1909, 11; 1910r 9; 1911, 4. We realize that our water is at least dangerous and we are trying to get a filtering plant x DAYTON, OHIO: 1. Artesian wells. 2. Not filtered. 3. Shortage. ' ' 4. Consumers recommended to be conservative, and all lawn and , street sprinkling restricted until after 7 p. m. " 5. Not Answered. , J ERIE, PA.: ; 1. Lake Erie- : ..:- .. - . ... . .. .... Our water is not filtered but we are about to prepare plans for a filter system. The 'State Board of Health, since our epidemic of typhoid fever last winter has made this mandatory.

3. We have not been short of water at any time in the past five years. However, this summer we were using very close to our capacity July 7th. we pumped 20.900,000 gallons, and our total . pumpage is a little over 25,000,000 with two days supply in the reservoir. i 4. No great restriction was placed on our water takers but during the very dry weather in July it was necessary to send out our Inspectors to curb the reckless users of sprinkling devices during - the dry season for fear something might happen to one of our pumps and cause services trouble. 5. 1906, 146 cases, 29 deaths; 1907. 316 cases, 49 deaths; 1908, 2S1 cases, 39 deaths; 1909, 151 cases, .19 deaths; 1910.. 220 cases 26 deaths; 1911, Jan., 239 cases 24 deaths; Feb. 520 cases, 56 t - deaths; Mar. 170 cases, 22 deaths; Apr. 57 cases, 14 deaths; May, 17 cases, deaths;" June, 6" cases', no deaths; July, 9 cases, 1 death. SPRINGFIELD, OHIO: ; 1 & 2. Our supply comes from subteranean sources having a vary large field in which we have about IS feet of gravel with 4 feet of loam. This valley covers several thousand acres of square ground .'and through the entire length there is a creek flowing, which flow amounts to about thirty million gallons In twenty-four hours. Above the pumping station about one mile we have constructed a concrete dam, the elevation of which is of such height that we can flow the creek wat out on the surface of the ground. The soil being of- black soft loam the water finds its way down to the gravel strata and through it to the hard pan that lies underneath this gravel. After the water reaches the hard pan it flows along through a mile of gravel to the well. This well is of loose lime stone construction, no morter being used In the construction of the joints in the gravel strata. Upon this loose wmll at the soil line there is constructed a regular stone wall up to the surface of the ground upon which we have erected a building. 8. Yes past five years. 1. Our rules provide regulation in the sprinkling of lawns, etc., and the waste of water during such times. . We have not the report at hand, , but since we have constructed and installed the new system of filteration we have not had a case of typhoid fever either this yer.r or last. FON DU LAC, WIS.: 1. Artesian wells. 3. Not filtered. 3. No shortage. 4. No restrictions. 5. 1906, 2; 1907, 2; 1908, 2; 1909, 2; 1910, 2. PERU, INDIANA: 1. The water is pumped from several deep wells Into a reservoir when the exc&s is greater than the daily usage, otherwise pumped directly into the mains. 2. No. S. Yes, until within a short time ago we haven't had sufficient wells to supply the needs; at present we have. Our power for pumping has been limited, but within the next 60 days we will have sufficient power to take care of all emergencies. When a shortage oC . curred it was necessary to pump water from the Wabash river which contaminated the supply from the wells. 4. A general notice is given to avoid waste and not to use the water for sprinkling purposes, under penalty of being cut off. 5. The secretary of the city Board of health has the records, therefore we can't give you the number, but my observation is that when water is supplied only from the wells we have but few cases of typhoid fever. In December, 1910, and January, 1911, because of an emergency the river water was used and an epidemic of typhoid fever was the result CHARLOTTE. N. C.: 1. Small stream. 2. Filtered. 3. Shortage. Are now in the pangs of a water famine, creek nearly . dry. Are hauling water in tank cars from Catawba river eleven miles distant Extension of mains for supply from river has been authorized and surveys are now beginning. 4. AH street sprinkling, yard sprinkling and outside house washing prohibited. 5. Not obtainable. - . . BETHLEHEM, PA.: 1. A large natural spring.

Not filtered. Shortage. No restrictions. In times of water shortage the city has had ad

ditional supply of water from an artesian well of private parties without charge for water. 5. Secretary Board of Health will answer. (Data not received.) KALAMAZOO, MICH.: 1. "Wells some artesian. ' 4

Not filtered. , Shortage water stolen by paper mill. Sprinkling of lawns cut out 1906, 12; 1907, 4; 1908, 11; 1909, 4; 1910, 10. Analysis at oar

state laboratory shows our water to be above suspicion LANCASTER, PA.: 1. Conestoga river. 2. Filtered for last six years. 3. No shortage in that time. 4.. Care.' - '" ' 6. 1906, 119; 1907, 45; 1908, 49; 1909, 151; 1910. 7. Many of typhoid cases, in tracing cause, were found to be caused by still using well water, evidently infected from close proximity to old water closets outside, and quite a number of cases from broad away on visits and brought home. ' . ' ' BUTLER, PA.: 1. Creek. 2. Filtered. ' . . 3. Shortage. 4. Restricted manufacturers and household use as much as possible. 5. 1909, 2; 1910, 5. Other years not on hand. 'NEW BRITAIN, CONN.: 1. Brooks and water shed. 2. Not filtered. i , 3. Slightly In 1910. 4. Elevators, hose, sprinkling streets. 5. Not answered. LAFAYETTE, IND.: 1. Not answered. ' 2. Not answered. 3. Not answered. 4. Not answered. 5.1907, 54 cases, 3 deaths; 1908, 11 'cases, 3 deaths; 1909, 8 cases, 5 deaths; 1910, 20 cases, 7 deaths; 1911, 5 cases, 7 deaths.

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TYPHOID From proceedings American Water Works Association, 1908. Typhoid and rate per 100,000 population at Charleston, S. C. Year Population Cases Deaths Rate 1902. 55.900 315 42 75.1 1903 56,000 144 3 5 62.5 1904 56,100 192 34 60.6 1905 66.200 , 200 30 53.3 1906 56.300 394 45 79.9 . 1907 57300 115 29 50. Average death rate per 100.000 population 63.6. The city water is not used for drinking purposes, and the well water is contaminated by cess-pools. Elmira. N. Y. '"During thirteen years, 1895 to 1908, there were 1564 - cases of typhoid fever and 218 deaths, a mortality of 13.9 per cent 50.8 per cent used City water 11 per cent of these were fatal. , 34.2 per cent nsed Well water 15.1 per cent of these were fataL 6.9 per cent used mixed water 14.8 per cent of these were fataL - 6.4 per cent used Imported water 24 per cent of these were fataL During the ten years, 1898 to 1908, that the filter plant has been in operation there have been 940 cases of typhoid fever and 145 deaths, a mortality of 15.4 per cent. 40.1 per cent of these cases used City water, and 14.5 per cent of these were fataL Since the introduction of the filter plant there has been a reduction in the total typhoid fever rate, per 100,000, of 47.9 per cent .

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