A HEALTHY WATER SUPPLY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2058, 3 August 1893, Page 5

A HEALTHY WATER SUPPLY.

The fonrth of a series of lectures on "Healthy Homes" was given by Dr Ogston at St. Paul's Schoolroom on Thursday night, under the auspices of the St. John Ambulance Association. The Rev. Dr Belcher presided, and there was a moderate attendance.

The lecturer dealt with " A Healthy Water Supply," and described the different kinds of supply. In referring to reservoirs he pointed out that they should be as far away from ! habitations and also as far away from cultivated or ploughed lands as possible, because proximity to these rendered the water less pure than it would otherwise be. Then if the water was to be pure the reservoir should be isolated from -accidental contamination. In obtaining a water supply for .Dunedin these precautions had not been taken; and we had. to make up our minds to the disgusting fact that both our reservoirs were habitually contaminated. The Silverstream reservoir was in close proximity to slaughter yards, from which the entrails of animals' and other filthy matter was carried by sea-gulls to the reservoir, and then those of us who used the water drank filth of the most abominable and inconceivable description. Our other reservoir was in a sort of 'public park, where any day people might be seen picnioing, and there was thus the certainty of the water being 'contaminated in various ways. If, however, reservoirs were to be properly kept, the public should not be permitted within some distance of the water, because of possible contamination ; and the sooner we learned these facts the better. Dr Ogstoh went on to speak of the necessity of having proper filtering beds in connection with our present water supply, and said that as there were none, many people were reduced to filtering the water in their own houses, with more or less imperfect results. In alluding later, on in his lecture to > filters, the doctor pointed out that the ordinary methods taken for cleansing filters only had 'the effect of adding more filth to the water that was already foul. He also explained that the best method ,of cleansing a filter, was by first pouring a solution of Condy's fluid and sulphuric acid into the top of the filter and letting it run out, then using a solution of spirits of salts in the same way, and finally allowing a quantity of water which had been boiled some hours to run through the filter. Dr BklOher, in' conveying a vote of thanks to Dr Ogston at the conclusion of the lecture, said there appeared to be so muoh danger in drinking water that it was a wonder anybody was alivo now. Our cities were no doubt very dirty, but the ancient cities were infinitely worse, and. yet. our ancestors managed to live. Dr Belcner also expressed his wonder, seeing there was so much danger in drinking water, as to what' the temperance drink of the future would be.