LOCKPORT

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

I beg to submit the following report on an investigation of the sanitary condition of the public water supply of Lockport made by Mr. C. M. Baker, assistant engineer, on April 2, 1917.

General information

Location.— Niagara county, on the New York Central railroad, about 25 miles northeast of Buffalo.

Population.— 18,693.

Source of supply.— Niagara river.

Consumption.— 6,529,000 gallons, or 349 gallons per capita.

Distribution system.

The water is pumped from the river through the distribution system, consisting of 37 miles of 4-inch to 24-inch mains, into the standpipe.

Service taps.—4,400; of which 2,700 are metered.

Pressure.-70 to 75 pounds per square inch.

Storage. Standpipe 500,000 gallons.

Purification. Sterilization with liquid chlorine.

Reference to previous investigations.— A report on a complete investigation of this supply may be found on page 907 of the 32d Annual Report of this Department in addition to which a report on a reinspection was made under date of November 30, 1915, and one on an investigation of the chlorine plant under date of August 1, 1916.

Previous reports have pointed out the contaminated condition of the raw water and the necessity of proper purification at all times in order to render the water safe for domestic purposes. At the time of the previous inspection of the chlorine plant, however, it was found that an insufficient amount of chlorine (.12 part per million) was being applied to assure adequate purification at all times. In view of these conditions the following recommendations were then made.

1. That regarding the operation of the chlorine apparatus:

(a) Scales be provided to determine the loss of weight in the chlorine cylinder or the amount of chlorine actually applied.

(b) Careful supervision of the plant be provided at all times and any difficulties in connection with its operation immediately corrected.

(c) Complete records be kept of the operation of the plant showing the date of connecting each chlorine cylinder, daily readings of the chlorine flow meter and of the weighing scales, also of any difficulties encountered or other information of interest in connection with the operation of the plant.

2. That unless a complete purification plant is provided a duplicate apparatus be installed for treating the water supply with liquid chlorine in order that there may be no interruption in this treatment when it becomes necessary to repair the apparatus. Since the previous investigation has been removed and a new one same company has been installed. the operation of the apparatus, but inspection.

of the chlorine plant the old apparatus similar in type and constructed by the Scales have been provided for checking these were not in use at the time of this

Since previous reports have emphasized the polluted and contaminated condition of the raw water as taken from the Niagara river it is unnecessary to discuss this matter at this time. It is significant, however, that just after the preceding investigation the chlorine plant was out of operation for several hours and that within two weeks after this time some 14 or 15 cases of typhoid fever had developed in the city. This matter, however, was also pointed out and discussed in detail in the previous report.

As stated above, although scales are provided they were not being used at the time of this inspection. The chief engineer of the plant was ill at the time and the assistant then in charge stated that he did not know why the scales were not used. Apparently the assistant engineer had received very little instruction regarding the operation and care of the chlorine apparatus. In view of the necessity of careful and continuous operation of the apparatus, it is essential that there be proper co-operation between the chief engineer and his assistants and that the assistants be thoroughly informed regarding the methods of operation of the chlorine apparatus. Records were kept of the scale readings for a time after the scales were provided but this practice had been abandoned some time prior to the inspection. Records are kept, however, of the time at which new cylinders of chlorine are connected with the apparatus. According to these records two cylinders of chlorine were connected on January 7, two on February 9 and two on March 10, it being thus apparent that four cylinders or 400 pounds of liquid chlorine lasted 62 days. During this period the average water consumption was 6,529,000 gallons per day. With this rate of consumption the rate of applying the chlorine was equivalent to only about .12 part per million which checks fairly well with the rate indicated by the chlorine meter at the time of the inspection, viz., 5 ounces per hour or .14 part per million. It is thus apparent that the amount of chlorine now being applied is about the same at the time of the previous inspection when it was pointed out that an insufficient amount was being used to at all times secure satisfactory disinfection of the water. While under certain favorable conditions fairly satisfactory results may be obtained with this amount of chlorine the margin af safety is too small and under unfavorable conditions proper disinfection of the water would not be secured.

Samples of the water were collected at the time of the inspection and sent to the Division of Laboratories and Research for analyses, the results of which are recorded in the appended table.

Samples of the raw water could not be obtained at the time of the inspection and the results, therefore, do not show the relative efficiency of sterilization but, since the bacterial count was low and colon bacilli absent, it is apparent that satisfactory purification was being obtained. As pointed out above, however, it is quite probable that under certain conditions the amount of chlorine being used would not secure adequate purification.

A matter which might well be given consideration at this time is the lack of adequate storage at the city. The city is supplied with water from the Niagara river through a single force main 14 miles in length. In case of a break in this main the only water available is that in the standpipe which, when full, contains only about 2 hours' supply. In May, 1914, a break occurred in this main which required 72 hours to repair and during this period the city was practically without water. In the fall of 1916 it was necessary to make a change in the main and this time, although previous arrangements had been made, 30 hours were required to make the change. During this latter period, however, provision was made for water by warning the citizens to store it in bathtubs and other utensils while fire protection was provided to some extent by laying fire hose and having fire engines ready to pump water from the canal. It is obvious from the above that, in case of a large fire at a time when the force main is out of service serious property damage would result, furthermore serious insanitary conditions may result from the lack of water and an epidemic of typhoid fever might result from the use of impure water. Three methods of obviating these unsatisfactory conditions may be suggested, namely, a second force main, an auxiliary supply of a satisfactory quality or the providing of more adequate storage near the city.

As a result of this investigation it may be concluded:

1. That regarding purification of the water the city of Lockport has not taken the necessary steps to fully carry out the recommendations embodied in the previous report. Although scales have been provided for checking the apparatus, they were not being used nor were complete records of operation being kept. Furthermore chlorine was not being

applied in a sufficient amount to secure adequate purification under all conditions.

2. That at times the city is without water because of necessary repairs in the single force main from the pumping plant and the absence of reserve storage.

In view of the above, I beg to offer the following recommendations to be acted upon by the city authorities as soon as possible:

1. That the recommendations of the previous report be completely carried out.

2. That provision be made for furnishing water in case of a break in the force main, either by constructing a second main, providing an auxiliary supply of satisfactory sanitary quality or by providing adequate storage near the city.

In view of the experience that the city of Lockport has had with typhoid fever in the past and in view of the fact that about a year ago there were a number of cases of this disease in the city due apparently to inefficient or ineffective operation of the chlorine plant, it is evident that the proper officials should give this matter their most careful consideration and take the necessary steps to protect the health of the inhabitants of the city by the careful and efficient purification of the water supply at all times.

Finally, I would recommend that copies of this report be sent to the board of water commissioners, to the local health officer and to the sanitary supervisor of the district.

ALBANY, N. Y., May 8, 1917

Source.

Collected on .

Color.

Odor, hot.

Respectfully submitted,

THEODORE HORTON,
Chief Engineer

REPORT OF WATER ANALYSES FOR LOCKPORT,

Results are expressed in parts per million.

+ Present. - Absent.

Abbreviations used to describe odors of water: 0, none; 1, very faint; 2, faint; 3, distinct; 4, decided; 5, strong; 6, very strong; a, aromatic; d, disagreeable; e, earthy; f, fishy; g, grassy; m, musty; v, vegetable.

LOOMIS SANATORIUM

HARRY L. SHIVELY, M.D., Physician in Chief, Loomis Sanatorium:

As a result of our inspection of your water supply in connection with our investigation of the recent epidemic of gastroenteritis at the Loomis Sanatorium we feel that certain suggestions should be made to you regarding improvements in the water supply. Although the results of the investigation did not point to the water supply as the source of trouble the supply is not above suspicion and certain improvements should, therefore, be made.

1. The cover or roof of the infiltration gallery or spring from which the supply is derived was broken in a number of places and in need of repair.

2. The infiltration gallery is located very close to a small brook, about 10 feet, which flows through the grounds and although the sanitary conditions in the vicinity of the brook appeared to be fairly satisfactory under certain conditions contamination might find its way into the stream and by filtration through the soil might cause pollution of the water in the infiltration gallery. Furthermore there is considerable seepage from the side of the hill above the infiltration gallery from the direction of the cottage known as Olivia cottage. This seepage issues from the bank near the foot of a natural drain or depression leading up the slope and terminating at the road near Olivia cottage. The sewage from this cottage is disposed of in a small disposal plant separate from the main disposal and located several hundred feet below the water supply. The sewer from the building, however, passes near the head of the natural drain or depression mentioned above; the nearest point from the sewer line to the infiltration gallery, however, is about 400 feet. Although the distance is considerable the soil at this place appears to be underlaid by a shale rock which might result under certain hydrostatic conditions in a rather rapid flow of ground water from near the sewer to the infiltration gallery and thus cause pollution of the water supply. Whether pollution finds it way into the infiltration gallery by seepage from the brook or from the sewers of Olivia cottage can be definitely determined only by an extensive series of analyses of the water supply. A small test spring could be developed on the hillside just above the infiltration gallery intercepting the flow of ground water from toward Olivia cottage. Frequent analyses of water from this spring particularly at times of heavy rainfall would indicate whether this water is polluted and regular and frequent analyses of the regular supply would indicate whether pollution finds its way into the infiltration gallery from the nearby brook. You doubtless could arrange to make these analyses at your institution laboratory.

3. Although the reservoir appears to be well protected by fences against trespassers no such protection is afforded by the spring or infiltration gallery, and there is possibly some danger of pollution from this source. It would seem, therefore, that a sufficient area should be enclosed by suitable fences about the spring and that notices should be posted prohibiting trespassing in the vicinity.

4. There was a very heavy growth of green algae in the reservoir at the time of the inspection. A microscopic examination of the water showed the presence of numerous small organisms resembling the larvae of small insects, also the presence of a class of green algae growth, Chlorophyceae, probably of the form Scenedesmus. This latter organism is the cause of the green color of the water which existed at the time of the inspection. The growth of algae could be prevented by covering the reservoir or by treatment of the water with copper sulphate. The results of analyses of samples collected at the time of the inspection are recorded in the enclosed table. The analyses of the water from the infiltration gallery show a rather high bacterial count with organisms of the B. coli type present in two of the three 10 c.c. inoculations thus indicating

the presence of some active contamination. The samples collected from the reservoir and a tap at the institution, however, show the presence of a moderate number of bacteria and the absence of colon bacilli. The chemical analyses of the sample collected from the tap at the institution show some turbidity, probably due to the algae growth.

The figures for nitrites and chlorine are high thus indicating that pollution is finding its way into the ground water tributary to the supply. The analysis of the sample collected from the brook indicates a high bacterial count with colon bacilli present in all of the 10 and 1 c.c. inoculations and in two of the three 1/10 c.c. inoculations thus indicating the presence of considerable active and potentially dangerous contamination. As pointed out above it seems quite possible that under certain conditions pollution. from this source may find its way into the infiltration gallery.

In view of the above it seems advisable to recommend as follows:

2.

1. That repairs be made to the roof or cover of the infiltration gallery. (a) That analyses be made of the regular supply at frequent intervals particularly during periods of heavy rainfall.

(b) That a test spring or intake be developed in the hillside just above the infiltration gallery and that frequent analyses be made of this source particularly during periods of heavy rainfall to determine whether this water receives pollution from the sewers from Olivia cottage.

3. That adequate area be enclosed about the infiltration gallery to protect the supply from pollution and furthermore that notices be posted prohibiting trespassing in the vicinity.

4. That the growth of algae be prevented in the reservoir either by the construction of a roof over it or by treatment of the water with copper sulphate under the direction of someone familiar with the use of this chemical for this purpose.

If, as a result of the analyses recommended in No. 2, it is found that pollution finds it way into the supply either from the brook or from the sewers. of Olivia cottage, steps should be immediately taken to procure a new supply of a satisfactory quality.

Trusting that this advice will be of service to you and assuring you of our cooperation, I am Yours very truly,

ALBANY, N. Y., September 20, 1917