The flow of 40 cubic feet per second as found during the inspection gave a dilution factor of about 5.3 cubic feet per thousand population which is about the minimum ratio of pollution before actual putrefactive conditions of the flowing water takes place. During the low average flow of 24 cubic feet per second of September, 1913, and of 19 cubic feet during October of this year the ratio of dilution was only about half of that found during the inspection and this condition of nuisance along the outlet must have been much worse than during the inspection.

Manufacturing establishments whose trade wastes have more or less effect upon the question of stream pollution of the Canandaigua outlet at Canandaigua

4

(1) Lisk Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of tin and metal ware. This factory is located in the eastern part of the city and nearly 500 persons are employed there. The daily water consumption is about 13,200 gallons. All iron ware is pickled in an acid bath before being galvanized or enameled. The acid bath is a 5 per cent H2SO solution and it is used until very weak, at which time the tank is emptied and the contents discharged into the drain leading to the outlet. These wastes are discharged into the outlet with practically no sedimentation and at the time of the inspection oxide of iron could be seen in the wastes and a sample collected and tested contained 7 parts of iron per millon.

(2) Canandaigua Gas Light Company, manufacturers of illuminating gas. The gas plant is located on Main street near the outlet and uses about 8 tons of coal per day. The by-products are coke and coal tar. The gases driven off from the coal are passed through the waterseal where most of the coal tar and the various ammonia compounds are removed. The gases are then passed through various washers and scrubbers to further purify the gas for illumination purposes. The ammoniacal or gas liquors are discharged directly into the outlet carrying with them most of the various nitrogen compounds and some coal tar. Coal tar was seen on the bottom of the ditch through which the water passes, gradually moving toward the outlet. Some of the lighter oils which had separated from the wastes upon cooling could be seen upon the surface. From results of tests of a coal gas plant at Providence it was found that about 13.17 gallons of coal tar and 5.01 pounds of ammonia were obtained per gross ton of coal converted. This would represent approximately 80 gallons of coal tar and 30 pounds of ammonia produced per day at Canandaigua. All of the ammonia and part of the coal tar and lighter oils are now discharged into the outlet.

(3) New York State Railways, Car Barns, Repair Shop, etc.- Wastes consist chiefly of water from floors, cars, etc., and oil from machinery. Wastes discharged into same ditch into which wastes from gas works are discharged. General Condition of Outlet at Time of Inspection.-At the time of the inspection the weather was clear with a slight wind, the temperature about 75° and the humidity was low. Above Main street the water was clear and apparently unpolluted.

Below the discharge of sewage from the west side system the water became turbid and of a dirty white color showing the presence of the sewage. The addition of wastes from the gas works and car houses turned the color slightly darker and oil was seen on the surface.

Below the discharge of sewage from the east side system the water in the outlet had much the same appearance although more turbid and slightly darker.

At Robinson's about 11⁄2 miles below Saltonstall street the water was darker and considerable sludge and mud was deposited in the quieter parts of the outlet. Odor was noticeable near the stream and people living nearby stated that at times the odors were very unpleasant. Gas bubbles could be seen rising to the surface from deposits on the bottom showing the putrefactive condition of the deposits.

At Chapin, 4 miles below Canandaigua, the dam had been removed and the water in the outlet generally flows quite rapidly through the village. Some sludge deposits were seen in the more sluggish portions of the stream and an odor of sewage was noticed near its banks. Residents at Chapin stated that at times the odors of sewage were very noticeable in the village.

At Littleville is a large mill pond much of which has become filled with mud deposits. This pond produces conditions similar to a large settling tank and permits the heavy settling matter in the sewage to be deposited on the bottom of the pond. Due to the storage received it also permits the water to become septic during periods of low flow when putrefied sludge arises from the bottom and passes over a dam to the waters below. The odor of sewage was quite apparent here.

At Shortsville, 3 miles below Chapin, the water, while in better condition than at Robinson and Chapin, due to storage received at the Littleville and Shortsville dams, was quite turbid, and had a slight odor of sewage. Some gas could be seen rising to the surface from deposits on the bottom of the pond. In order to determine the actual condition of the outlet water above and various places below the discharge of sewage, and of the sewage, various samples were collected and analyzed. These analyses included the temperature of the sample and tests for turbidity, oxygen consumed, dissolved oxygen, nitrates, chlorine, putrescibility and bacteria, and the results are shown in the following table:

RESULTS OF ANALYSES OF SEWAGE AND OF OUTLET WATER ABOVE AND BELOW DISCHARGE OF SEWAGE MADE ON AUGUST 11, 1916

While one set of analyses cannot be considered as showing necessarily the average conditions of the sewage and of the water above and below the discharge of sewage, yet they do show the conditions at the time of the inspection which were as follows:

The raw sewage was of about the average strength of sewage from a city of its size as shown by the turbidity, oxygen consumed, chlorine and bacterial count. The absence of dissolved oxygen and the results of the putrescibility test show that the sewage was in a septic condition as discharged into the outlet. The high count of bacteria is about what could be expected of septic sewage from the city.

The lake water was clear, had 2.6 parts of oxygen consumed and about 40 per cent saturation of dissolved oxygen. The low chlorine content and small bacterial count showed that the water had received little or no pollution.

The sample collected at Robinson's which is at the railroad bridge about 11⁄2 miles below Saltonstall street, had a turbidity of 65 parts and an oxygen consumed content of 5.1 parts. These tests, together with the 5 parts of chlorine and the high bacterial count plainly showed the presence of sewage. The results of the putrescibility test of 8 days showed that the dilution was insufficient to prevent the sample from putrefying. Dissolved oxygen was present to the extent of about 35 per cent of saturation.

The

The sample collected at Chapin had a turbidity of 60 as compared with that of 65 at Robinson's and the oxygen consumed test showed 4.1 parts as compared with 5.1 at Robinson's. These results showed that some of the suspended matter had settled out between the two sampling stations. dissolved oxygen was the same as that found at Robinson's. In the chlorine test 41⁄2 parts were found as compared with the 5 parts at Robinson's. The bacterial count was somewhat smaller and the sample was apparently stable. At Littleville a turbidity of 45 parts was obtained showing a removal of about 25 per cent of the suspended matter due to the storage in the mill pond. The oxygen consumed had increased slightly from that at Chapin and this may have been due to some organic matter from the bottom of the pond. The amounts of dissolved oxygen had increased slightly due to aeration at the dam. The chlorine content was the same as that found at Chapin. The bacterial count was much lower and the sample was stable as shown by the putrescibility test.

Finally at Shortsville the turbidity had been reduced to 30 parts, showing a reduction of 33 per cent due to settling in the mill pond and to additional dilution from small streams. The oxygen consumed was the same as that found at Chapin. Chlorine was reduced to 3.5 parts and dissolved oxygen had increased to nearly 50 per cent saturation. The total count in the sample was somewhat greater than at Littleville. The nitrates were very low only showing 0.2 parts.

Summary and conclusions.

As a result of this investigation and after a careful consideration of the condition of the stream above and below the points of pollution and of the amount of flow necessary to properly care for the quantity of sewage and other wastes discharged into Canandaigua outlet at Canandaigua the following summary and conclusions are presented:

1. That owing to the large amount of domestic sewage and trade wastes discharged into the Canandaigua outlet from Canandaigua and to the comparatively low flow of water through the outlet during the summer and fall months a public nuisance is created as shown by the inspection, which condition of nuisance would be intensified at times when the flow through the outlet is less than that found during the inspection.

2. That the nuisance is due largely to the domestic sewage from Canandaigua and to a lesser extent to trade wastes from the plants of the Canandaigua Gas Light Co., the Lisk Mfg. Co., and the New York State Railways.

Recommendations

1. That in view of the above I would recommend that the city of Canandaigua be required to submit plans for and construct within a reasonable time proper sewage disposal works to treat the sewage discharged by the city. The plans should include treatment both by sedimentation and filtration or methods equally satisfactory and the sedimentation tanks should be constructed at once while the construction of the filters may be deferred until such time as the Commissioner of Health shall deem necessary.

2. That the Canandaigua Gas Light Company be required to connect with the city sewer system or to construct a sedimentation tank suitable in size to prevent coal tar and oil from passing into the stream and that they consider the advisability of recovering ammonia from the gas liquors or otherwise make provisions for preventing the present polluting wastes from entering the stream. Plans for such settling tank should be submitted to this Department for approval.

3. That the Lisk Mfg. Co. be required to connect with the city sewer system or to construct a settling tank or tanks sufficiently large to give a three-hour detention period during the time of maximum flow

of wastes or both and that they consider the advisability of constructing a ferrous sulphate recovery plant or that they otherwise make provisions for preventing the pollution now caused by their wastes. Plans for settling tanks should be submitted to this Department for approval.

4. That the New York State Railways Company be required to connect with the city sewer system or to construct a settling tank sufficient in size to remove all grit and oil from the wastes now being discharged into the outlet or that they otherwise satisfactorily dispose of these wastes. Plans for a settling tank should be submitted to this Department for approval.

ALBANY, N. Y., December 14, 1916

Respectfully submitted,

THEODORE HORTON,
Chief Engineer

On February 17, 1917, copies of this report were transmitted to the city authorities and to the various concerns noted above and they were asked to take steps to carry out the recommendations of the report.

CASTLETON

HERMANN M. BIGGS, M.D., State Commissioner of Health:

I beg to submit the following report upon an investigation made in regard to sewerage conditions in the village of Castleton, town of Schodack, Rensselaer county. The inspection was made on May 4, 1917, by Mr. Albert I. Howd, Inspecting Engineer in this Department, as a result of complaints received by this Department in regard to insanitary conditions due to the improper disposal of sewage of the village.

In connection with an inspection of an alleged nuisance at Castleton in July, 1912, an investigation was made of existing sewerage conditions of the village. In the report upon that investigation it was recommended that "the attention of the village board of health be called to the desirability of having prepared a plan for a general system of sanitary sewers and sewage disposal to be presented to this Department for approval."

Castleton is located in the southwestern part of Rensselaer county on the east bank of the Hudson river. It is on the main line of the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad, 9 miles south of the city of Albany. The village is situated on rolling land, rising in parts to a considerable height above the river. The soil is clayey loam on top underlaid by blue clay. The population, according to the census of 1915, is 1,583, an increase of 187 since 1910. The village is provided with a public water supply derived from a stream fed by springs about 7 miles east of the village. Electric lights, gas and other modern facilities are available.

The

No comprehensive system of sewerage has been built in Castleton. rapid concentration of rain water due to the steepness of many of the streets has made storm water sewers necessary. Several of these have been installed by the village and as unfortunately sometimes happens in municipalities where a public water supply is available but where no sanitary sewers have been installed, house connections have been made with the storm water sewers. In the eastern part of the village the ground surface is steep, rising to a considerable height above the river, the runoff from which passes through the village.

It was estimated that 50 per cent of the houses in Castleton have flush closets, a percentage which is increasing, especially in that part of the village which is now being built up with modern houses. In some of these streets, such as Chestnut and Willow streets, storm sewers have been laid and flush closets have been connected with them. In several cases the in

spector questioned at houses which had no privies and in each case he was informed that flush closets were used which were connected with a storm sewer. The inspector was informed that there are few cesspools in the village, which indicates that most of the flush closets are connected with the storm sewers.

In Main street, which extends parallel to the river, a storm sewer was laid about 3 years ago, previous to a State highway being constructed through the village, and at that time about half the houses on Main street connected with it. Previous to the installing of this storm sewer one of two general methods was used by the people in disposing of their sewage. Either private drains discharging into the river were used or private drains discharging into one of the storm sewers coming down Green, Stimson, Scott and Seaman avenues where it passed through Main street. On May 13, 1913, Mr. Gardiner, engineer, representing the village, called at the Department, at which time he stated that this drain was then proposed to be constructed on Main street but was not to be used except for storm water and that the village authorities understood the limitations of sewer construction in this respect and the rulings of this Department under the Public Health Law. He was notified that if it was found later that any sewage was being discharged into this storm sewer the persons responsible for same would be liable for the penalties provided by the Public Health Law for this violation. Mr. Charles Lebrecht, president of the Board of Health, was informed of the result of Mr. Gardiner's visit and he was also notified that no sewage should be discharged into this storm water drain in Main street. The present use of this storm sewer in Main street, therefore, constitutes a direct violation of the Public Health Law, a situation concerning which the village representatives had prior notification.

The inlets of the storm sewers consist of vertical tile or brick pipes covered with iron bar grating placed in the gutter of the earth roads. On the hillsides, in many cases, the bell mouth of an 8-inch or 10-inch tile pipe laid on a slant and backed by a mound of earth, is generally used. A resident of Main street informed the inspector that often in the summer the odor rising from one of these vertical inlet pipes near his house is so offensive that the porch cannot be used by him and his family.

The outlets of the storm sewers in the case of Scott and Stimson avenues are iron pipes laid under the railroad embankment, while the Green and Seaman avenue sewer outlets are masonry culverts. In each case the outlet is at the high water mark and the sewage flows across the beach at low tide. Besides these outlets there are numerous smaller pipes scattered along the river banks which are drains from private houses and stores on Main street. The discharges from these outlets were dirty gray and considerable paper was noticeable. The appearance and odor of the above indicated that water closets and kitchen wastes were being discharged into the storm sewers and pipe drains.

Mr. George S. Schermerhorn, village clerk, with whom the inspector talked, stated that out of the population of nearly 1,600 people, about 150 houses were connected with the storm sewers, and that 250 to 275 houses were supplied with public water, none of which are metered. Hence approximately 50 per cent of the houses are connected with storm sewers and about 90 yer cent are connected with the public water supply.

Therefore, the need of a system of sewerage for the village of Castleton is made very evident. The inspector was informed that no steps have as yet been taken by the village authorities toward the preparation of plans for sanitary sewers and sewage disposal works to be submitted to this Department for approval as provided by the Public Health Law. It is apparent that in order to relieve the present conditions in a permanent manner, this work should be undertaken at as early a date as possible.

I, therefore, recommend that the village authorities be informed of the result of this inspection and that they be advised to immediately employ a competent engineer to prepare the plans for a comprehensive system of sewerage and sewage disposal works for the village of Castleton.

I further recommend that copies of this report be submitted to the trustees