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wished the assistance of the Department under its general powers, the only effective one, as the writer pointed out, being action under section 76-a. Action under section 76-a, as you know, involves a public hearing and an order by you, approved by the Governor and Attorney-General, enforceable by the Attorney-General.

In view of the fact that action under this section could be taken in only a part of one of the four cases referred to us by the board of water supply, and that a relatively unimportant one, it would seem questionable whether we should attempt to take this action in this case at this time, particularly since this case is one that is readily abatable as a violation of rules and regulations by the board of water supply. When the hotels are occupied later in the season, cases (1) and (2) would be actionable under section 76-a, if they have not been corrected before then. I would recommend therefore that this matter be left in abeyance for the time being and until the hotels, which constitute the more important cases referred to us, are occupied, at which time it would seem that action by this Department under section 76-a would be more logical and appropriate.

ALBANY, N. Y., April 16, 1917

Respectfully submitted,
THEODORE HORTON,
Chief Engineer

NORTH COLLINS

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

I beg to submit the following report on an investigation of the public water supply of North Collins made by Mr. C. M. Baker, assistant engineer, on December 5, 1916.

North Collins is an incorporated village of 1,068 inhabitants located in Erie county on the Buffalo and Southwestern division of the Erie railroad 23 miles south of Buffalo. The village is on Sister creek, a small stream which flows into Lake Erie. A private sewer system serves about 50 houses of the village, the remainder being served by privies, cesspools, etc. The sewage is discharged without treatment into the creek.

The water supply is owned by the municipality and was first put into operation about October 1, 1916. The supply is derived from a dug well located about 1 mile south of the village, from which the water is pumped through the distribution system into a standpipe. About half of the population is served with the water, there being in all 100 service taps. Meters are to be provided for all taps and were being installed at the time of the inspection. There are in all about 5 miles of water mains ranging in size from 4 to 8 inches in diameter. The pressure in the village with the standpipe full is 60 to 65 pounds per square inch. According to the pump records since the installation of the supply the consumption averages about 23,000 gallons daily, an equivalent to 43 gallons per capita served.

The pumping equipment consists of two 14 horsepower natural gas or gasoline engines and two 61⁄2-inch by 8-inch triplex Rumsey pumps, each having a capacity of 150 to 200 gallons per minute. The standpipe is constructed of steel, is 20 feet in diameter by 50 feet high and has a capacity of approximately 117,000 gallons.

The well from which the supply is derived is located near the edge of a large swamp area at the head of Sister creek, which extends about 3 miles south to Lawton Station. Concrete walls enclose the well, which is covered and adequately protected from surface wash. Adjacent to the well is the pumping station, the pumps being located in a pit 10 or 11 feet below the surface and the engines on the floor at ground level. The pumps are driven by a belt connection with the engines. The floor of the pump pit appeared to be tight and it is provided with a suitable drain so that there seems to be little or no danger of pollution of the supply due to drainage from the pump pit into the well.

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As previously stated, the well is located near a large swamp area. however, on comparatively high ground which slopes toward this area. to the east of the well is a small knoll beyond which are farm buildings about 300 feet from the well. The knoll between prevents any possibility of surface drainage from these buildings toward the well. The village owns about two acres of land in the vicinity of the well, which includes a part of the swampy area mentioned above, and extends part way up the side of the hill beyond the well. The remainder of the area sloping toward the well is used as a berry patch and is undoubtedly at times heavily fertilized. No fence is provided about the area owned by the village nor have drainage ditches been constructed to divert surface wash. Although, as previously stated, the well is so constructed that surface wash cannot find its way into it, there appears to be some possibility of indirect pollution at times due to the infiltration of surface water from the cultivated land just above the well.

Samples of the water were collected at the time of the inspection and also later by the health officer and sent to the Division of Laboratories and Research for analyses, the results of which are recorded in the appended table. The results of these analyses show a water slightly colored and somewhat turbid. The figures for nitrogen in the form of free and albuminoid ammonia and nitrites are low. Those for nitrates and chlorine, however, appear to be somewhat above normal, thus indicating that pollution finds its way into the ground water tributary to the supply. The source of this pollution is probably of animal rather than human origin. The bacterial counts are low in both samples collected and colon bacilli were not found present.

The turbidity of the water indicated by the analyses was not observed at the time of the inspection. In order therefore to obtain additional information the health officer was later asked to collect a sample for chemical analysis. In his letter informing us that this sample had been forwarded to the laboratory he mentioned the fact that the water was turbid the day before collecting the sample. In reply to a letter of inquiry from us regarding the cause of this turbidity he stated that it might be caused by disturbances in the well at time of pumping or to the collection of sediment in the mains but probably not by surface water finding its way into the supply. The exact cause of the turbidity therefore cannot be definitely stated at this time.

As a result of this investigation it may be concluded that the water supply of North Collins is derived from a source which should furnish a satisfactory supply of water provided the well is at all times properly protected from pollution. It appears, however, that there is some possibility of pollution by the infiltration of surface water from nearby cultivated land. Furthermore, the water is at times turbid, probably due, however, to some local disturbance in the well or mains.

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

1. That the area owned by the village be enclosed by suitable fence in order to prevent trespassing in the vicinity of the well.

2. That suitable drainage ditches be constructed to divert surface wash from the cultivated land just above the well.

3. That the source or cause of the turbidity be definitely determined and steps immediately taken to prevent its recurrence.

Respectfully submitted,

ALBANY, N. Y., February 28, 1917

THEODORE HORTON,
Chief Engineer

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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.

NORTH CREEK

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

I beg to submit the following report upon an investigation of the public water supply of North Creek made on April 20 and 21, 1917, by Mr. M. F. Sanborn, assistant engineer in this Department, who was assisted at the time of the inspection by Mr. Thomas Alexander, superintendent.

North Creek is an unincorporated village with a population of about 500 located in the northern part of Warren county on the Hudson river. It is a terminal of the Adirondack Division of the Delaware and Hudson railroad about 58 miles northwest of Saratoga Springs. About 25 per cent of the houses are served by a private sewer which discharges into the Hudson. The remaining houses are served by cesspools and privies.

The regular source of water supply is a small brook about three-fourths of a mile west of the village. Auxiliary supplies are obtained from a pond in the southern part of the village, from a brook 14 miles southwest of the village and from the Hudson river. The waterworks are owned and operated by the North Creek Water Works Company, of which Mrs. Gertrude Baker is owner and Mr. Thomas Alexander superintendent. The works were constructed in 1893.

Some 200 people or 40 per cent of the population are served by this supply with an average daily consumption of about 20,000 gallons. The water is also used by the railroad for locomotive feed purposes. There are about two miles of water mains ranging from 14 inches to 4 inches in diameter. Of the 40 service taps none are metered. The water from the various sources is distributed by gravity save in the case of the Hudson river. The average pressure in the village varies from 40 to 60 pounds per square inch. Fire protection is provided by two hydrants centrally located.

The regular supply, derived from the small brook northwest of the village, has been developed by the construction of a small dam across the brook through which the pipe line to the village passes, the intake end of this pipe being protected by a strainer. The basin formed by this dam is about 15 by 30 feet in plan with an average depth of 4 feet and a capacity of 13,500 gallons. The intake strainer frequently clogs up, shutting off the supply, and

during a considerable portion of the summer the stream is dry and the auxiliary supplics have to be used.

The first auxiliary supply is obtained from a pond about 60 by 30 feet in plan, 3 feet deep and fed largely by the overflow from a nearby spring. The capacity of this pond is 43,500 gallons. This supply is also at times insufficient for the needs of the village. The second auxiliary supply was developed about 4 years ago by the laying of some 6,000 feet of 2-inch galvanized iron pipe to the brook located about 14 miles southwest of the village. This pipe is laid on the surface of the ground and is connected during the summer only. In the summer of 1916 this stream also went dry and it was necessary to pump directly from the Hudson river.

The intake of the auxiliary supply from the river is located at the upper end of the village at a pumping station installed by the railroad company to pump water for their locomotives. This pumping station is operated by steam derived from a locomotive and therefore can be operated only when a locomotive is available. The intake extends about 30 feet from shore into 6 feet of water. The pumping equipment consists of a Blake direct-acting pump with about 6-inch stroke and 6-inch diameter.

The watershed tributary to the main supply is about 1% square miles in area consisting of uninhabited wooded land. There are no permanent sources of pollution upon this watershed and the supply is practically free from possibilities of contamination. The spring-fed pond, constituting the first auxiliary supply, has practically no surface watershed. There are two houses, however, about 100 feet distant and an insanitary privy is located on the slope about 70 feet distant and a barn about 100 feet distant. The pond is also visited to a considerable extent by children playing in its vicinity. The watershed of the auxiliary brook supply southwest of the village is approximately 2 square miles in area, consisting of the wooded slopes of rather precipitous mountain sides. This supply is also of a reasonably satisfactory sanitary quality, due to the fact that there are no permanent sources of pollution upon the watershed. The Hudson river above the point of auxiliary intake has a watershed of many square miles, upon which are located several hamlets andi many scattered dwellings. The river receives considerable pollution both direct and indirect and cannot be considered as safe from a sanitary standpoint without adequate purification.

At the time of the inspection samples of water were collected from the various sources and the results of the analyses of these samples made by the Division of Laboratories and Research will be found in the appended table.

The results of the analysis of the regular supply show a water slightly colored, free from turbidity and very soft. The figures for nitrogen in its various forms are low, indicating the presence of moderate amounts only of nitrogenous organic matter. The figure for oxygen consumed, however, is somewhat high, indicating the occurrence of considerable carbonaceous organic matter, due to the decaying vegetation upon the watershed. The total bacterial count is very high, but this is probably due in part to the multiplication of harmless forms of water bacteria during transit, the samples being two days in reaching the laboratory. Organisms of the B. coli type, however, were not isolated in the inoculations tested, indicating the absence of active contamination at the time of the collection of the samples.

The results of the analysis of the auxiliary pond supply show a slightly colored water free from turbidity and slightly harder than the regular supply. The figures for nitrogen in its various forms and for oxygen consumed are moderate. The figures for chlorine are very high, indicating the presence of past pollution, apparently received from the nearby privies. The total bacterial count is also somewhat high, although no organisms of the B. coli type were isolated from the samples tested.

The bacterial analysis of the Hudson river water shows a high total bacteriał count and organisms of the B. coli type in inoculations as small as 1/10 c.c.. indicating the presence of considerable amounts of active contamination of animal or human origin.

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In view of the above facts, the following conclusions may be drawn:

1. That the regular supply of North Creek is derived from a source which should afford a supply of satisfactory physical and sanitary characteristics.

2. That of the auxiliary supplies the Hudson river is unsafe and unsatisfactory and the pond supply is at present open to active contamination from nearby sources of permanent pollution and by visitors in the vicinity. The auxiliary brook supply, however, should furnish water of a satisfactory sanitary quality.

I would therefore recommend:

1. That the North Creek Water Company take steps to more adequately develop the present regular supply by the construction of proper intake works which would prevent the clogging of the intake pipe by leaves and other foreign material.

2. That if the pond in the southern part of the village be retained as an auxiliary supply, steps be taken to remove all sources of permanent pollution and to forbid all trespassing in its vicinity.

3. That if it is found necessary to retain the auxiliary supply from the brook southwest of the village, more permanent intake works be constructed and the pipe line therefrom laid underground in order that its use may be made more continuous.

4. That the Hudson river be abandoned as a source of auxiliary supply.

5. That if the above sources be insufficient to furnish the required amount of water, steps be taken to develop some other source which would be free from all possible sources of pollution.

I would also recommend that copies of this report be sent to the North Creek Water Works Company and to the local health officer and to the sanitary supervisor of the district.

Respectfully submitted,

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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.

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