house for the engineer, however, it is planned to construct a leaching cesspool at a point about 230 feet from the nearest well. While it is difficult to predict the exact effect such a cesspool would have upon the sanitary quality of the well supply, it is very possible that at times of excessive draft or other unusual hydraulic condition of the ground water active pollution would reach the ground water tributary to the wells and bring about serious contamination of the supply. The direct discharge of sewage into the ground within such a comparatively short distance from the wells must, therefore, be considered as potentially unsafe.

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 together with those of previous analyses are recorded in the appended table.

The results of these analyses show a water satisfactory in physical qualities with respect to color and turbidity but a water that is high in hardness. The figures for nitrogen in the form of free and albuminoid ammonia and nitrites are low but those for nitrates and chlorine appear to be somewhat above normal thus indicating that pollution finds its way into the ground water tributary to the supply. The bacterial counts are exceptionally low, however, and colon bacilli were in no case found present in the dilutions tested thus indicating the absence of active contamination. Nevertheless should the cesspool be constructed at the location planned, it is possible that pollution from it may, as pointed out above, find its way into the supply. As a result of this investigation it may be concluded:

1. That the water supply of Scotia is derived from a source which, as indicated by the sanitary surroundings and by analyses, furnishes a satisfactory supply of water.

2. That, however, should the cesspool be constructed as planned it is possible that pollution from it may at times affect the sanitary quality of the supply.

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

1. That the present careful supervision be continued in order that the supply may at all times be maintained in a satisfactory sanitary condition.

2. That, to prevent the possibility of pollution, the cesspool proposed in connection with the dwelling of the engineer be made watertight and that the contents from it be properly disposed of at a point remote from the wells or that other suitable means of disposal be provided elsewhere at a point not less than 500 feet from the nearest well.

In conclusion I would recommend that copies of this report be transmitted to the local health officer and other village officials, also to the sanitary supervisor of the district.

Respectfully submitted,

ALBANY, N. Y., June 28, 1917

Vor.. II 17

THEODORE HORTON,
Chief Engineer

RESULTS OF WATER ANALYSES

SILVER SPRINGS

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

I beg to submit the following report upon an investigation of the public water supply of Silver Springs inade by Mr. C. M. Baker, assistant engineer, on August 3, 1917.

Silver Springs is an incorporated village of 895 inhabitants, located in Wyoming county at the junction of the B. R. & P. R. R., with the HornellBuffalo branch of the Erie railroad, 53 miles southeast of Buffalo and about the same distance southwest of Rochester. It is on Wolf creek, a tributary of the Genesee river. No sewerage system is provided, the house being served by privies, cesspools, etc.

Formerly the village was supplied with water by the Castile Water Company. In 1904, however, the village developed a supply of its own from springs located about 1 mile southwest of the village. From the springs the water flows to a storage reservoir thence by gravity to the village. Since the original development, however, this supply has been increased by water from two additional groups of springs and also by water pumped from artesian wells located in the northern edge of the village. As now developed, therefore, the supply is derived from three groups of springs located from 1 to 12 miles southwest of the village while an auxiliary supply is pumped from artesian wells in the northern edge of the village.

The

Practically all of the population of the village is served with the water, there being in all some 200 service taps, none of which are metered. distribution system consists of 8 or 9 miles of mains, ranging in size from 4 to 8 inches in diameter. The average pressure is approximately 75 pounds per square inch. An auxiliary supply for fire protection can be obtained by means of a cross connection with the large salt plant located in the village, the supply being obtained from a pond fed by springs and wells. Althougn, due to lack of time, no personal inspection was made of this supply by the assistant engineer, inquiry regarding its sanitary quality failed to disclose any sources of pollution. No occasion has yet arisen, however, to require the admission of water from this source into the village distribution system.

The pumping equipment for the auxiliary well supply is located in a brick building and consists of an air compressor by means of which the water is forced from the wells into a 20,000 gallon wooden storage tank located nearby whence an electrically driven 500,000 gallon centrifugal pump forces the water into the distribution system. Power is furnished by a 45-horsepower. producer gas engine which also operates a dynamo that furnishes electricity for the village. The storage reservoir is located on a hill about 3/4 of a mile southwest of the village, is constructed of concrete and covered, and has a capacity of about 400,000 gallons.

The original springs from which the supply was derived, known as the Kershaw springs, consist of a series of collecting tile in low marshy land which collect the water and convey it into a receiving basin whence it flows by gravity to the storage reservoir near which they are located. The receiving basins, 2 in number, are constructed of concrete and are provided with wooden covers. Only one of the collecting basins, however, could be located at the time of the inspection. The collecting tile are very close to the surface in a number of places and in fact in some places are exposed, as a result of which surface wash frequently finds its way directly into the supply through the loosely constructed joints of the tile. The land in the vicinity is used as pasture.

One spring, known as the railroad spring, which has been added to the original sources of supply is located about 1 mile south of the storage reservoir near the B. R. & P. R. R. This spring consists of a wooden tub or barrel sunk into the bank about 8 feet from the railroad track. The spring is covered with earth and could not be definitely located at the time of the inspection. A leak in a drain tile located directly under the track and which drains a swamp some distance above forms a small stream of water that flows between the railroad and the spring. It is quite possible that the top of the

barrel protecting the spring is below the level of this water. In any event the exact location of the spring should be determined and it should be more satisfactorily developed. The water from this spring flows by gravity directly to the storage reservoir.

Two other springs added to the original sources of supply are in this saine locality and are known as the Cook springs. They are located in pasture land and are protected by wooden curbs sunk into the ground and by wooden covers. These springs are located near the railroad and are apparently frequently used by visitors in the vicinity since a cup for obtaining water hung inside the curb of one of the springs and there was other evidence of visitors thereto. The other spring is located in the bed of a small stream and undoubtedly at times receives considerable surface wash. The water from these springs flows into a wooden tank in an old abandoned pump station located nearby, thence to the storage tank at the pump station of the auxiliary supply in the village. The tank in the abandoned pump station leaks badly and is unprotected from visitors.

The wells, two in number, from which the auxiliary supply is derived, are located near the railroad in the northern edge of the village, one is 200 feet deep and is a flowing well, while the other, which is located further up on the side of the hill, is 225 feet deep and does not flow. Information regarding the strata through which the wells are drilled was somewhat indefinite but the strata appear to consist of varying layers of gravel and clay to a rock formation, the water being obtained just above the rock.

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 together with those of previous analyses are recorded in the appended table.

The results of these analyses show a water at times colored and slightly turbid; also a water very high in hardness. The figures for nitrogen in its various forms are moderate but those for chlorine are at times very high. The bacterial counts are occasionally high and colon bacilli are frequently found present in 10 c.c. inoculations and occasionally in 1 c.c. inoculations, thus indicating the presence of active and potentially dangerous contamination.

Regarding the different sources of supply, as indicated by the analyses of the samples collected at the time of the inspection, the well supply showed a water satisfactory in physical qualities with respect to color and turbidity but a water exceedingly hard. The figures for nitrogen in the form of free ammonia are high but those for albuminoid ammonia, nitrites and nitrates . are low. The figures for chlorine are very high and are probably due to mineral deposits. The high chlorine in this water probably accounts to some extent for the high chlorine in the samples of tap water. The bacterial count in the well water was low and the B. coli type was absent. Samples of water collected from the reservoir and from the Cook spring show a water satisfactory in physical qualities with respect to color and turbidity at the time of the inspection but a water high in hardness. The figures for nitrogen in its various forms are moderate but those for chlorine, appear to be somewhat above normal. The bacterial counts are high and colon bacilli were found present in all three of the 10 c.c. inoculations and in two of the 1 c.c. inoculations of the samples collected from the storage reservoir also in all three of the 10 and 1 c.c. inoculations and in one of the 1/10 c.c. inoculations of the samples collected from the Cook springs. It is apparent from the above that the pollution indicated by analyses of the tap water is due to that carried into the springs by surface wash.

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

1. That the various springs tributary to the public water supply of Silver Springs are subject to pollution by surface wash.

2. That these supplies are apparently not properly cared for by the village authorities since some of the sources could not be definitely located and the springs were all in need of cleaning and repairs.

3. That, however, the auxiliary supply obtained from wells appears to be of a satisfactory sanitary quality.

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

1. That each of the spring supplies be more adequately developed as follows:

(a) By the construction about each spring of more suitable curbs provided with adequate covers and locks.

(b) By enclosing a sufficient area about the springs with a suitable fence, to prevent access to the immediate vicinity of the springs. (c) By the construction of suitable drainage ditches within this area to divert surface wash.

(d) By posting notices and otherwise endeavoring to prevent trespassing in the vicinity.

2. That regular inspections be made of all springs and that they be kept properly cleaned and their curbs and covers in proper repair.

In order to obtain the most satisfactory development of this supply it seems advisable that the village secure the services of a competent consulting expert to make a detailed study of the situation and to advise them as to the proper method to most satisfactorily develop the supply.

Finally I would recommend that copies of this report be sent to the various local officials and to the sanitary supervisor of the district.

Respectfully submitted,

ALBANY, N. Y., December 17, 1917

THEODORE HORTON,
Chief Engineer