The results of these analyses show a water that is at times somewhat colored and turbid. The figures for nitrogen in its various forms are at times high, as are also the figures for chlorine, thus indicating that pollution finds its way into the supply. The bacterial counts are in general high and at times very high. Colon bacilli are present in nearly all of the 10 c.c. inoculations, frequently in 1 c.c. and occasionally in 1/10 c.c. inoculations, thus indicating the presence of considerable active and potentially dangerous contamination. It is probable, however, that this pollution is mainly of animal rather than of human origin.

As a result of this investigation, it may be concluded that:

1. The water supply of Middleville is derived from a source which is subject to considerable pollution:

(a) To some extent from residents and visitors on the watershed. (b) From cattle and livestock which have free access to the streams tributary to the supply.

2. That the large storage tends to remove this pollution to a certain extent before the water reaches the consumers, although complete purification is not effected, as is shown by the analyses; furthermore, at times of cleaning the reservoir no storage is provided.

3. That the connection whereby water may be pumped from West Canada creek provides a means for pumping polluted water into the distribution system.

In view of the above, I beg to offer the following recommendations to be acted upon by the village officials:

1. That additional storage be provided or that the large storage reservoir be divided into two parts in order to facilitate cleaning and eliminate the necessity of drawing the water directly from the intake reservoir during times of cleaning.

2. That very careful inspection and supervision of the sanitary condiditions on the watershed be at all times maintained and that the rules and regulations protecting the sanitary quality of the supply be at all times rigidly enforced.

3. That careful consideration be given to the purification of the supply in order to improve its sanitary quality. This purification might consist either of filtration or possibly sterilization with liquid chlorine.

4. That the connection for pumping water from West Canada creek be removed.

Respectfully submitted,

ALBANY, N. Y., January 26, 1917

THEODORE HORTON,
Chief Engineer

RESULTS OF WATER ANALYSES

MILFORD

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

I beg to submit the following report on an investigation of the public water supply of the village of Milford, Otsego county. An investigation of this supply was made on November 23, 1916, by Mr. M. F. Sanborn, assistant engineer, who was assisted at the time of the inspection by Mr. Charles Martindale, superintendent of the waterworks, and Dr. W. R. Seeber, health officer of the village.

Milford is an incorporated village in the south central part of Otsego county. It is about 10 miles south of Cooperstown and is on the Susquehanna river and the Cooperstown branch of the Delaware and Hudson railroad. The population at the time of the inspection was estimated to be about 560. About half of the village is served by a public sewer which discharges into the Susquehanna river. The remaining portion of the village is served largely by cesspools and privies.

The water supply is owned by the village; Mr. O. A. Weatherby being president and Mr. Charles Martindale superintendent of the waterworks. The water system was designed by Mr. Lamb, civil engineer of Cooperstown, and was constructed by contract in 1894 under the supervision of Mr. Lamb.

The water supply is obtained from Hinman Hollow brook, a tributary to the Susquehanna river. The intake, about 21⁄2 miles northwest of Milford, is located in the side of a small pond formed by the construction of a dam across the brook. Water from this intake flows by gravity to a reservoir located on the south side of the brook and several hundred feet from the intake. From the reservoir the water flows by gravity to the village. Reserve storage is also provided by Little pond, a small body of water about 25 acres in area owned by the village and located at the head of a tributary to the brook about 2 miles north and above the intake. Water can be drawn from this pond into the brook to augment its flow at such times as may be necessary.

There are about 31⁄2 miles of water mains varying from 4 inches to 6 inches in diameter. Practically all of the 160 houses in the village are served by the supply. Water is distributed by gravity and the average pressure is from 60 to 86 pounds per square inch. The average daily consumption was estimated to be about 56,000 gallons.

The reservoir is of concrete and has a frame cover. It is about 20 by 80 feet in plan and 10 feet deep with a capacity of about 120,000 gallons, or about 2 days' supply. The reservoir is usually cleaned twice a year and the street mains are flushed about once a month.

Hinman Hollow brook has a watershed above the intake of about 6.2 square miles. The topography of the watershed is hilly, although there is a small amount of swamp land. About half of the watershed is used for pasture and about one-fourth is forested. There are about 40 houses on the watershed, which represent a total population of about 150. This corresponds to a population of about 24 per square mile. The water is somewhat turbid after heavy rains.

There are several opportunities for serious pollution of the brook from the various houses and their accompanying privies and barnyards on the watershed, the worst cases being as follows:

1. A barn and manure pile about 50 feet from the brook and about 11⁄2 miles above the intake. The drainage from this barn and manure pile pass readily into the brook.

2. At a farmhouse about 21⁄2 miles above the intake a privy in fair condition is located about 50 feet from the brook, while the barn and manure pile, about 25 feet from the brook, are in a very insanitary condition.

3. The Hinman Hollow school, in the town of Hartwick, is about 3 miles above the intake. Here there are two school privies in a very unsatisfactory condition about 25 feet from the brook, and in the rear

of one of the residences near the school there is a privy in a very bad condition, within 10 feet of the brook. There are also sources of possible pollution from other houses upon the watershed. These are in general, however, further removed from the creek. Pollution is also caused by the cattle pasturing upon the watershed.

At the time of the inspection a sample of the water was obtained from a tap in the village and analysis of this sample together with those made previously by the Division of Laboratories and Research will be found in the appended table.

From the results of these analyses it will be seen that the water usually contains considerable color and turbidity derived from the organic matter on the watershed and surface wash. The water is moderately soft and the figures for nitrogen in its various forms show considerable variation due apparently to the varying amount of pollution received at the different seasons of the year. The oxygen consumed results and also the chlorine results indicate pollution at various times. In the bacterial results high counts of bacteria are usually found and organisms of the B. coli group have always been found in 10 c.c. inoculations, more than half of the time in 1 c.c. inoculations and occasionally in 1/10 c.c. inoculations, such results plainly showing the seriousness of the pollution.

As a result of this investigation and of the analyses, the following conclusions may be drawn:

1. That the water supply of the village of Milford in its present condition is not satisfactory from a sanitary standpoint, due to the numerous opportunities for pollution from the various privies and barnyard located near the brook and to the pasturing of cattle upon the watershed.

In view of the above conclusion, I would make the following recommendations:

1. That the village authorities consider at once the possibility of securing a new supply of water from a source free from any possibility of contamination.

2. That, if this is not found practicable, the village authorities, under competent engineering advice, install a filter plant and sterilization apparatus for the adequate purification of all water from the present

source.

3. That, in case it is decided to continue the present supply with filtration and sterilization, the village authorities make an inspection of the watershed in order to correct as far as possible those conditions which now constitute sources of pollution. If this cannot be accomplished readily, the board of trustees should apply to this Department for the enactment of rules and regulations for the protection of the watershed. In conclusion, I would further recommend that copies of this report be transmitted to the local authorities and to the sanitary supervisor of the district.

ALBANY, N. Y., March 24, 1917

Respectfully submitted,

THEODORE HORTON,
Chief Engineer

Results are expressed in parts per million.

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.

Absent.

Results are expressed in parts per million. + Present. 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.

MILLERTON

LINSLY R. WILLIAMS, M.D., Acting State Commissioner of Health:

I beg to submit the following report upon an investigation of the public water supply of Millerton made by Mr. C. M. Baker, assistant engineer, on January 18, 1917.

Millerton is an incorporated village of 890 inhabitants located in Dutchess county on the Harlem division of the New York Central railroad about 60 miles south of Albany. No sewer system is provided in the village, the houses. being served by privies, cesspools, etc.