The remarkably successful results obtained in Massachusetts by state control of its water supplies has definitely determined the practicability and value of such supervision by state authority. It is unfortunate that this State has never given the attention to this subject that its importance deserves.

While the New York State Board of Health during the last five years has made 1,402 analyses of samples of water and sewage, chemical and bacteriological tests being counted as separate analyses, during the same period the State Board of Health of Massachusetts has made over 30,000 such examinations, not counting chemical and bacteria tests separately.

In Illinois a State Water Survey was instituted in 1895 and a law establishing a chemical and biological survey was in force in July, 1897. In the ten years during which the work has been carried on 13,873 samples of water have been examined.

SEWAGE.

As generally accepted, the terms sewerage or sewage disposal mean the collecting of sewage in drains which conduct it out of the village, town or city into open running water.-regardless of the fact that as it is carried down stream it pollutes for an undetermined distance this water, thus unfitting such water for drinking or other household purposes. The Commission finds that even this inadequate conception of so important a matter as sewage disposal is practically confined to larger towns and cities. Sewers are seldom planned or built by any community, until such action is determined by unfavorable conditions of the public health, as distinguished from the health of the individual, or family, in whose home the waste or sewage is produced. There fore any definite provision for sewage disposal is seldom found outside of large centers of population.

It seems unnecessary to say that, in any consideration of sewage disposal of value, the term must be made to cover the final disposition of all household waste, wet or dry, of country as well as city homes. Waste water from the kitchen, laundry, dairy, barn, outhouses and also factory waste, are sources of pollution of wells and streams into which they may find their way, and the injurious effect therefrom is more far-reaching and serious than has been generally recognized or admitted. Investigations into the causes of some recent epidemics of typhoid fever show a

larger percentage of such cases in country communities, where there is no attempt at sewage disposal, than in cities, where most household waste finds its way into sewers--a striking evidence of the importance of disposing of all household waste and sewage in accordance with modern scientific methods.

It must be constantly borne in mind that the questions of pure water supplies and the proper disposal of sewage are very intimately connected, and may be considered of equal importance.

Without question the proper solution of the problem of sewage disposal would be that each community be required to care for its waste products, so that these do not become a menace to the health of that or any other community. The final disposition of sewage belongs properly to the community where it originates. and the successful solution of the problem of sewage disposal will depend primarily on the recognition of this principle.

In the preliminary work of the Commission it has found the greatest indifference to the disposition of household sewage. It will be difficult to correct this condition until the full danger of such omission is impressed upon individuals as well as on municipalities. The Commission, therefore, desires to bring to the attention of all the people of this State' the importance of protecting from pollution every well, water source and stream as well as providing for the disposition in a sanitary manner of all sewage. Considering sewage disposal under this broader definition the question is changed at once from a local one, affecting a single household or a single town, to a public question affecting the welfare of the State.

It cannot be forseen at this time upon what theory a State system for the disposition of sewage could be made practicable. The broad questions might be considered by the Commission in the light that each community should be obliged to dispose of its sewage under a comprehensive plan, with due regard to the exigencies of each case.

Very respectfully,

HENRY H. PERSONS,

President.

ERNST J. LEDERLE,

JOHN A. SLEICHER,

MILO M. ACKER,
CHARLES DAVIS.

APPENDIX

FIRST ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE

STATE WATER SUPPLY COMMISSION.

V. Form of information blank and abstract of reports of municipalities

APPENDIX I.

REPORT OF MYRON S. FALK,

CONSULTING ENGINEER OF THE COMMISSION.

January 29, 1906. To Hon. HENRY H. PERSONS, President State Water Supply Commission:

Sir.-In compliance with your instructions, the following report and recommendations are herewith submitted.

PRESENT WATER SUPPLIES OF THE STATE.

The information* concerning the present water supplies was received in reply to a list of inquiries addressed to the 45 cities, 438 incorporated villages, 215 private water companies and about 1.000 towns of the State; but it was later determined to omit all reference to towns in the report, since towns or townships are designations of areas rather than groups of houses.

Replies were received from 39 of the 45 cities and from 262 of the 438 villages; in the cases of the cities and larger villages, the answers were complete and showed that considerable care had been expended; in some cases, however, the officials appealed to regarded the information sought as of no importance and brief replies only were received.

One hundred and seventy-six villages failed to answer; strict interpretation of the law would permit of compulsory enforcement of answers; since the Commission is, however, only recently organized, it was thought better to await some additional time before taking such steps.

See Appendix for detailed information.

† 4 "Said commission shall have power to subpoena and require the attendance in this state of witnesses and the production by them of books and papers pertinent to the investigation and inquiries authorized, and to examine them and such public records as it shall require in relation thereto. And for the purposes of the examinations authorized by this act, the commission shall possess all the powers conferred by the legislative law upon a committee of the legislature or by the code of civil procedure upon a board or committee, and may invoke the power of any court of record in the state to compel the attendance and testifying of witnesses and the production by them of books and papers as aforesaid."