REPORT ON THE WATERS 
OF THE 
INDIANAPOLIS 
\ jaterijorfes (jo. and o( j jhite }{irt'r 
• tJ J J *J J J 
TOGETHER WITH 
ANALYSES OF THE SAME, 
MADE TO THE 
BOARD OF HEALTH OF THE CITY OF INDIANAPOLIS. 
BY L- 
T. C. VAN NUYS, M. D., 
Professok of Chemistry, Indiana State University- : ,, 
FEBRUARY 1, 1BB1. 
[Reprint from the Annual Report of the Board of Health.] 
INDIANAPOLIS: 
JOURNAL COMPANY, PUBLISHERS AND PRINTERS. 
1881 . REPORT AND ANALYSES 
OF THE WATERS OF THE 
Indianapolis Water Works Co. and of White River. 
T. C. VAN NUYS, M. D. 
Professor of Chemistry, Indiana State University. 
State University Laboratory, > 
Bloomington, Indiana, January 31, 1881. } 
To the Board of Health of the City of Indianapolis: 
Gentlemen :—At your request I have made analyses of the 
water supplied your city by the Water Works Company, and also 
of the water of White River, taken from different places. This 
work was carried on with the intention of ascertaining the quality 
of the water delivered by the Water Works Company, with especial 
reference to its use for drinking purposes. 
The result of these analyses, together with other waters from 
various sources, and with such remarks as I have considered ap- 
propriate to elucidate the subject, I have the honor herewith to 
submit. 
The numbers in the tables represent parts per 100,000 parts of 
the water. Dividing each number by 100 would give the number 
of grammes in one litre, or multiplying each number by seven, and 
moving the decimal point to the right one place, will give the num- 
ber of grains in one imperial gallon. 2 
Report and Analyses of the Waters of th e 
Description. 
Date. 
1 Total Solids, 
Dried at 180° 
Cent. 
Chlorine. Cl. 
Nitric Acid, 
Anhyd. Na Or, 
S3 
"2 
o 
i 
Organic mat'er 
! before seitling. 
Organic matter [ 
after settling. 
“ 1 
Lime. 
Ca O. 
Magnesia. 
Mg O. 
Degrees op Hardness. 
Temp’ry. 
Perm’nt. 
05 
c 
1. From a hydrant—the Water Works 
April,1880 
Not est’d. 
10 68 
2.14 
.003 
Not est’d. 
4. 92 
14.8 
4.12 
Not est’d. 
Not est’d. 
20. 57 
2. From a hydrant—the Water Works 
June, 1880 
47. 30 
18.90 
1.74 
. 0038 
Not est’d. 
8.46 
12.88 
4. 62 
Not est’d. 
Not est’d. 
19.6 
3. From the hydrant in Court House 
Sept., 1880 
39.26 
3.95 
1.27 
.0012 
Not est’d. 
5. 53 
11.8 
4. 569 
10.6 
3.8 
14.4 
4. From the hydrant in Court House 
Dec., 1880 
51.88 
7.50 
1.31 
.012 
Not est’d 
4. 74 
Not est’d. 
Not est’d. 
11. 
1.2 
12.2 
5. From well of Water Works 
Oct., 1880 
46. 01 
2.79 
2.4 
.02 
Not est’d. 
3.63 
14.03 
4. 97 
15.2 
5.7 
v;0.9 
6. From well of Water Works 
Dec., 1880 
64.40 
16.59 
1.9 
.015 
Not est’d. 
2.29 
Not est’d. 
Not est’d. 
12.62 
1.78 
14.4 
7. From White River, near Water Works 
Oct., 1880 
28.63 
0. 418 
0.357 
.002 
6. 98 
6.41 
S. 95 
3.88 
11.68 
2.7 
14.38 
8. From White! River, near Water Works 
Dec., 1880 
Unfilter’d 
0.369 
1.1 
.004 
31.83 
9.02 
Not est’d. 
Not est’d. 
6.55 
1.75 
8.3 
58.99 
Filtered. 
27.41 
9. From White River, three miles above city.. 
Oct., 1880 
26.92 
0. 206 
0.306 
.002 
5. 76 
5.43 
8.18 
4.3 
11.51 
2.7 
14.21 
10. From White Riv., above bridge, Cold Spring 
Dec., 1880 
29.0 
0.2 
1.45 
.005 
9.96 
9.25 
Not est’d. 
Not est’d. 
6. 45 
1.65 
8.1 
11. From Murphy’s well, on Schumann’s farm. 
Dec., 1880 
34.0 
0.0508 
0.9 
. 003 
Not est’d. 
1.2 
Not est’d. 
Not est’d. 
8.62 
1 98 
10.6 
TABLE NO T.—INDIANAPOLIS WATER. 
PARTS PER 100,000. Indianapolis Water Works Co. and. of White River. 
3 
TABLE NO. II.—AVERAGE COMPOSITION OF VARIOUS WATERS. 
PARTS PER 100,000. 
Description. 
y 
Total Solid Matter. 
*3 
O 
a 
3 
Nitric Acid Anhyd. 
N2 05. 
Chlorine. 
IC1). 
Temporarv. 
K 
► 
w 
Permanent. § 
M 
s. 
3 
o 
H 
Number of Samples 
Analyzed. 
2.95 
.029 
.011 
.22 
.37 
39 
0.47 
.005 
Not 
Not 
1 
estim d 
estim d 
Upland Surface Water. 
From Non - Calcareous Strata. 
From igneous rocks 
5.15 
.001 
.007 
1.13 
. l 
2.5 
2.6 
18 
From Metamorphic, Cambrian, Silurian 
and Devonian Rocks 
5.12 
.002 
.023 
.92 
.0 
3.12 
3.12 
81 
From Yoredale and Millstone Grits and 
the Coal Measures 
8.75 
.001 
.038 
1.05 
.43 
5.37 
5.8 
47 
From Lower London Tertiaries and Bag- 
shot Beds. 
8.40 
.004 
.026 
2. 06 
.33 
4.37 
4.7 
3 
From Calcareous Strata. 
From Calcareous portions of Silurian and 
Devonian Rocks.... 
13.71 
.0 
.080 
1.20 
1.45 
9.25 
10.7 
3 
From Mountain Limestone 
17.07 
.001 
.042 
1.24 
7.05 
8. 75 
15.8 
7 
From Calcareous portions of Coal Meas 
ures 
22.79 
.0 3 
.061 
1.52 
4.93 
10.37 
15.3 
26 
From the Lias, New Red Sandstone, Con- 
glomerate Sandstone and Magnesian 
Limestone 
18.80 
.002 
.038 
1.49 
9.48 
8.12 
17.6 
9 
From the Oolites 
17.46 
.004 
1.55 
8.25 
7.25 
15.5 
1 
Deep Well Water. 
In Devonian Rocks and Millstone Grit 
32.68 
.044 
1.131 
2.70 
10.95 
10.75 
21.7 
7 
In the Coal Measures 
83.10 
.005 
.796 
18.05 
18..85 
25.75 
44.6 
9 
In Magnesian Limestone 
61.14 
.0 
1.640 
4.31 
21.1 
33.6 
54.7 
3 
In New Red Sandstone 
30.63' 
.003 
2. 760 
2.91 
9.2 
13.1 
22.3 
28 
In the Oolites 
33. GO 
.022 
2.406 
2.69 
17.2 
8.5 
25.7 
5 
In the Lias 
70.98 
.001 
1.497 
4.42 
27.4 
10.2 
37.6 
2 
In the Hastings Sands, Greensands and 
Weald Clay 
45.20 
.016 
.754 
5.38 
21.0 
13..1 
34.1 
20 
In the Chalk 
36.88 
.001 
2.348 
2.76 
26.5 
8.1 
34.6 
66 
In the Chalk below London Clay 
78.09 
.048 
.361 
15.02 
12.2 
10.8 
23.0 
13 
In Thanet Sand and Drift 
53.84 
.072 
.446 
6.32 
18.0 
9.5 
27.5 
4 
Spring Water. 
From Granite and Gneiss Rocks 
5.94 
.001 
.418 
1.69 
.5 
3.2 
3 7 
8 
From Silurian Rocks 
12.33 
.001 
.685 
1.84 
1.9 
6.6 
8.5 
15 
From Devonian Rocks and Old Red Sand- 
stone 
25.06 
.001 
2.941 
3.85 
6.0 
9. 
15. 
22 
From Mountain Limestone 
32.06 
.001 
.862 
4 63 
13.6 
11.1 
24.7 
15 4 
Report and Analyses of the Waters of the 
TABLE NO. II.-AVERAGE COMPOSITION OF VARIOUS WATERS. 
Continued. 
PARTS PER 100,000. 
Description. 
Total Solid Matter. 
Ammonia. 
Nitric Acid Anhyd. 
( N2 Ob ) 
Chlorine. 
(Cl). 
Hardness. 
Number of Samples 
Analyzed. 
Temporary. 
Permanent. 
Total. 
From Yoredale and Millstone Grits and 
• 
the Coal Measures 
21.91 
.001 
1.513 
1.85 
6.5 
9.8 
16.3 
22 
From Magnesian Limestone 
66.52 
.002 
2.64 
3.40 
31.1 
43.5 
74.6 
1 
From New Red Sandstone 
28.69 
.001 
1.270 
2.19 
10.2 
13.3 
23.5 
15 
From the Lias ... 
36.41 
.001 
1.797 
2.48 
26.6 
11. 
37.6 
7 
From the Oolites 
30.33 
.001 
1.547 
1.55 
22.8 
7.7 
30.5 
35 
From the Hastings Sand and the Green- 
sands 
30.05 
.0 
1.255 
2.98 
17.0 
8.2 
25.2 
19 . 
From the Chalk 
29.84 
.001 
1.470 
2.45 
22.7 
6.8 
29.5 
30 
From the Fluvio-marine Drift and Giavel 
61.32 
.001 
1.361 
2.76 
22.5 
24.5 
47. 
10' 
London Water Supply. 
Average of monthly analyses during ten 
years, 1868-1877. 
28.03 
.0006 
. 808 
1. 73 
25.5 
600 
41.14 
. 0002 
1.640 
2.43 
35.1 
120 
Birmingham Water Supply. 
Average of monthly analyses, 1876-1878... 
25.67 
.002 
.823 
1.69 
19.8 
36 
Glasgow Supply from Loch Katrine. 
Average of monthly analyses, March, 1877, 
2.96 
0 
.015 
.067 
1.8 
12 
SuSPEl 
tDED Matter. 
*2 
Sh 
fl 
6 
a 
2 
Sewage. 
§ 
o 
H 
Fresh sewage; average from 16 water- 
closet towns 
72.2 
6. 703 
.011 
10.66 
24.18 
20.51 
44. 69 
50 
Fresh sewerage; average from 16 midden 
towns 
82.4 
5.435 
pstim c 
11.54 
17.81 
21.30 
39.11 
37 Indianapolis Water Works Co. and of White River. 
5 
Rivers. 
© 
Is 
A 
S 
3 
CO 
3 
© 
H 
© 
o5 
o 
Nitric Acid Anhyd. 
Ns 06 
03 0 
|» 
a 
< 
'1 
Organic matter. 
So 
A c3 
1-1 O 
Magnesia. 
Mg O. 
c 
N 
w 
Chemist. 
33.3 
5.84 
.33 
11. 7 
2.5 
1.52 
A 
Aug., 1875 
27.6 
5. 46 
.0 
3.39 
4.77 
1 3 
Wibel. 
Dec., 1875 
27.5 
2.03 
.05 
13. 6 
4 54 
6.6 
.35 
.05 
. 94 
1 13 
0 49 
Oct., 1870 
25. 0 
. 25 
5. 2 
7 49 
. Vohl. 
Nov., 1870 
16.0 
.99 
6.4 
3.58 
0 43 
Jan., 1871 
24.5 
.37 
.36 
8. 9J 
2. 43 
July, 1872 
24.5 
.62 
. ii 
4. 01 
8. 96 
1.91 
1.17 
Reichardt. 
April,1873 
12.5 
.92 
.2 
. 93 
1.8 
0 36 
.23 
The Saale, at Jena 
May, 1873.... 
8.0 
.97 
,19 
Not est’d. 
3.88 
3.36 
0. 73 
.43 
« 
May, 1873 
15.0 
1.07 
.22 
2.19 
3. 64 
1. 08 
.52 
it 
, 1872 
11.8 
.99 
4. 1 
Chandler. 
9.8 
.95 
3.1 
11.7 
.63 
.21 
10.8 
3.16 
0. 78 
4.2 
Van Nuys. 
The Ohio, at Evansville 
Sept., 1880 
18 6 
.9 
.33 
.012 
10.98 
4.3 
1.2 
4.9 
TABLE NO. III.—RIVER WATER. 
PARTS PER 100,000. 6 
Report and Analyses of the Waters of the 
There is no method of estimating the exact quantity of organic matter in water. 
I employed the method of Schultze,* by which the quantity of oxygen is ascer- 
tained which combines with the organic matter in the water. For this purpose a 
solution of potassium permanganate of a certain strength is employed. It was 
suggested by an English chemist, Woods, that by multiplying the quantity of 
potassium permanganate, which is deoxodized by the organic matter by fire, or the 
quantity of oxygen liberated by twenty, the result would approximate the quantity 
of organic matter in the water. This method is employed in Germany and France 
almost to the exclusion of all others. Many of the English chemists, however, 
employ Frankland’fe and Armstrong’s method by which the carbon, hydrogen and 
nitrogen of the organic matter are estimated. The quantity of organic matter 
found by this method is in every case too low, as volatile bodies pass off during 
the evaporation of the water. There are other objections to the employment of 
this method which can not be here considered.f To ascertain the relative quantity 
of the volatile organic matter in water of the Water Works sample, No. 3, I put 
500 cubic centimetres of the water into a glass stoppered retort, having its neck 
directed slightly upward, the end bent downward, and connected with a Liebig’s 
condenser, 300 cubic centimetres were distilled over in equal quantities. 
The first distillate 100 c. c. required 0.0005719 grm. K Mn 04 to oxidize the 
organic matter. 
The second distillate 100 c. c. required 0.0004454 grm. K Mn 04 to oxodize the 
organic matter. 
The third distillate 100 c. c. required 0.0003855 grm. K Mn O4 to oxidize the 
organic matter. 
The ratios of the quantity of volatile organie matter in each distillate to 100 
cubic centimetres of the water were— 
First, 0.5 to 1. 
Second, 0 4 to 1. 
Third, 0.3 to 1. 
This method of estimating the quantity of the volatile organic matter in water 
was lately proposed by Tiemann and Preusse,J but, as yet, it has been so estimated 
in very few cases; however, I found the ratios of the volatile organic matter to 
the total quantity by this method in water from the Ohio river, above Louisville, 
as follows: 
First, 0.3 to 1. 
Second, 0.24 to 1. 
Third, 0.21 to 1. 
And water taken from the river, above Evansville, yielded the following ratios : 
First, 0.34 to 1. 
Second, 0.28 to 1. 
Third, 0.24 to 1. 
And the first distillate of the water from one of the wells of the Indiana 
Reformatory Institution for Women, yielded the ratio 0.3 to 1 in this water. The 
♦Dingler’s Journal 180-204. 
fjournal of the Chemical Society, II, vol. 6, p. 152. 
JBericlite der Deutsch. Chem. Gesellschaft, B. 12,1900. Indianapolis Water Works Co. and of White River. 
7 
other distillates were obtained under different conditions.* From these results, as 
far as a single analysis extends, Water No. 3, of Table I, contained more volatile 
organic matter than any of the water examined by this method. 
The method employed in estimating ammonia was by use of Nessler’s Reagent. 
Nitric acid was estimated by the method of Schloesing, modified by Keichardt and 
Tiemann.t The several samples of water were tested with meta-phenylenediamine 
(melting point 63° C ) for nitrous acid, but as the quantities found were very little 
greater than in rain-water exact estimations were not made. The lime and mag- 
nesia were estimated gravimetrically in all the numbers except Nos. 4, 6, 8, 10 and 
11; in these the lime and its equivalent of magnesia were estimated by the use of 
a standard solution of soap. The degrees of hardness as given in the tables are 
German, that is one part of lime CaO by weight, or its equivalent of magnesia MgO, 
in 100,000 parts of water is known as one degree of hardness. The permanent 
degrees of hardness represent the lime and magnesia in the form of sulphates and 
chlorides, and hence are not precipitated by boiling the water. The relationship 
between the degrees of hardness adopted by Germany, England and France, are 
represented thus : 10 degrees of Germany equal 8 degrees of England, or 5 6 degrees 
of France. 
MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION. 
I made a microscopic examination of several samples of water of the City Water 
Works, particularly Nos. 1, 2 and 3, and found numerous monads, rotifers, navicula, 
lanceolata, and various other infusoria. I did not find any bacteria. The samples 
of water of the Water Works, which were comparatively clear, deposited, after 
standing twenty-four hours, loose, floculent bodies, in which, by microscopic exam- 
ination, various infusoria were found, and the floculent mass appeared partially 
organized, therefore, of animal or vegetable origin. It was for this reason that the 
suspended matter or sediment of the water of the Water Works, in some cases, was 
not estimated, as the division of the same after shaking the water was not perfect; 
however, to ascertain to a certain extent the quantity of the organic matter of 
these flakes in No. 5, the water, in a bottle of 965 cubic centimetres capacity, after 
the elapse of three days, was decanted off, except a small quantity containing the 
dark colored flakes; this was washed into a 250 cubic centimetre flask with the 
decanted water and filled to the mark. The quantity of organic matter was in- 
creased by these flakes from 3.63 to 10.19 per 100,000. parts of the water. 
In order that the constitution of the water furnished by the Water Works Com- 
pany, and that of White river, may be understood, I have introduced table No. II, 
showing the difference in constitution of water from various sources. These tables 
are from Frankland’s Water Analysis. I have, however, changed the English into 
German degrees of hardness, and the “ nitrogen, as nitrates and nitrites,” is here 
given as nitric acid anhyd. N205. By examination of these analyses the fact that 
water varies greatly in constitution, according to its source, is at once perceived. 
Table No. Ill gives the analyses of the water of a few rivers ; in this table the 
fact that river water varies in constitution at different times and places is illus- 
trated. 
* American Practitioner, June, 1880. 
fZeitschrift, f. Analyt. Chemie. 9-24, und Berichte der Deutschen Chem. Gesellschaft VI, 1041. 8 
Report and Analyses of the Waters of the 
By examination of these tables it will be observed that not all the solids of each 
water are estimated. To determine the quality of water for drinking purposes the 
bodies enumerated in the tables are the only ones required. In a sanitary analysis 
of water the estimation of lime and magnesia may be omitted, but I Have estimated 
them, or determined the degrees of hardness, as this property of water is taken 
into account in the employment of water for technical purposes. Some of the 
bodies named in the tables are by no means injurious to health; the water of many 
mineral springs owe their curative propensities to the quantity of chlorides they 
contain, but the quantity of chlorine, for example, in river or well water serves as 
an index to its impregnation with sewage, contents of privy vaults, or the refuse of 
slaughter-houses, as these contain chlorides in considerable quantity. If the nitric 
acid or ammonia found in water in far greater quantity than is present in good 
water, it is not that these bodies are poisonous in such quantities that the water 
may properly be considered suspicious, but that they are the last products of the 
decomposition of organic bodies containing nitrogen, and, therefore, if the water 
contains no excess of organic matter they serve as an indication that, at a previous 
time, the water was rich in organic matter, which has been decomposed. Not all 
the nitrogen, however, of organic matter passes ultimately into nitric acid and 
ammonia, for the experiments of Keiset and Gilbert show conclusively that in the 
presence of alkaline carbonates about forty per cent, of nitrogen passes off free. 
Organic matter is sometimes found in great quantity, and nitric acid or ammonia 
in mere traces. This condition may be caused, first, by organic matter not being 
advanced in decomposition ; second, when the organic matter is vegetable in kind, 
and therefore not containing much nitrogen as a constituent; third, if water has 
been in contact with growing vegetables, the nitrogen of the nitric acid and 
ammonia may have been absorbed by them. 
When urine, faeces and sewage pass into the soil, the organic constituents of them 
readily decompose by oxidation in the presence of low animal organizisms. Or- 
ganic matter in all stages of decomposition—ammonium and potassium, phosphates 
and carbonates—are retained by the soil from solution, to a great extent; while the 
chlorides and nitrates of sodium, calcium and magnesium are not readily retained 
by the soil, but a solution of them passes into wells. Soil has not the property of 
retaining a great amount of organic matter and ammonia, and when it has become 
saturated, they, like the nitrates and chlorides held in solution, pass into wells; 
and hence the water in springs away from towns or villages is generally the best 
water for drinking purposes. When soil has become saturated with organic mat- 
ter, there is deficiency of oxygen in the soil, and in* consequence decomposition 
takes place slowly, and organic matter will be found in the water of the wells a 
very great length of time, and the precaution of cementing privy vaults would not 
qring about an immediate improvement of the water of the wells in the vicinity. 
That not all soils have the same power of absorbing these bodies was proven by 
the experiments on the filtration of sewage by the Rivers Pollution Commissioners 
of England. The inorganic salts in water, which is at least suspicious, are not in- 
jurious to health, as the quantities of them in water are not sufficient to produce 
any effects; those of them which would, perhaps, produce an effect in great quan- 
tity are the nitrates and magnesium compounds, but they are comparatively in very 
small quantity, even in highly polluted water. There is no evidence that the death Indianapolis Water Works Co. and of White River. 
9 
rate is any greater in localities where hard water is used. To determine if water is 
good for drinking purposes, attention must be directed principally to the quantity 
of organic matter it contains, and to the microscopic examination. The quantities 
of chlorine, nitric acid, ammonia and solids must be taken into account, as they 
afford evidence of the contamination of the water. 
So far the determination of the quality and exact quantity of the different solid 
products of the decomposition of animal and vegetable materials in water is im- 
possible. There is, doubtless, a great number of them in polluted water, differing 
in kind in different waters. The decomposition of organic matter in water is 
greatly facilitated by the presence of living organisms—in fact, they are the prin- 
cipal agents in reducing complicated molecules of organic matter. 
That the products of the decomposition of organic matter ever produce specific 
diseases is not probable, as no chemical compound is known which is capable of 
giving rise to a specific disease; those which have any effect at all give rise to gen- 
eral disorders of the nervous or nutritive system, known as toxic effects. If the 
question of the infection of impure water turns on the presence of living organisms, 
then why have not the greater number of waters of the earth become infected with 
the virus of typhoid fever, small-pox, cholera and other contagious diseases? 
Water found in nature perfectly free of some forms of animal or vegetable life is 
comparatively rare. Water containing organic matter forms a nidus for the de- 
velopment and proliferation of infusorial organisms of multitudinous forms. The 
germs or spores of these organisms are in the atmosphere, as shown by the re- 
searches of Pasteur, Cohrfn and others. 
Subject a weak solution of albumen and a small quantity of soluble phosphate 
to the action of air at ordinary temperatures, organisms will be found in the fluid 
similar or identical in kind to those found in sewage or contents of privy vaults * 
Water is an excellent solvent, and when it comes in contact with vegetable or 
animal matter, it takes some of it in solution, and hence water containing matter 
of animal or vegetable origin may be found where it would generally be supposed 
pure; for example, water of some deep wells, as those of Hamburg and Hanover, 
and from glaciers. The theory that impure water often becomes infected by the 
special virus of disease is generally accepted. The Rivers Pollution Commissioners 
of England devote forty-four pages in their sixth report to prove that the conta- 
gion of certain diseases is propogated by means of impure water. By a critical 
examination of the literature of this subject, it becomes evident that nine-tenths of 
the researches which have been made, or the conclusions drawn from them, do not 
have a true scientific basis. It is a very easy matter to assume that typhoid fever 
originated from water from a certain source, and it is still easier to connect cases 
by hypothetical links so as to form a whole chain of “evidence ” 
On the other hand, evidence that impure water generally does not become infected 
with the poisons of contagious diseases is not often brought to light. Many cities 
furnished with impure water are not, as a rule, visited by epidemics to a greater ex- 
tent than those using a better quality of water. Before the establishment of the 
water works at Halle, Germany, well water was used for drinking purposes which 
*Berichte der Deut. Chem. Gessellschaft IV, 170. 10 
Report and Analyses of the Waters of the 
was polluted,-* and the wells of Hamburg likewise furnish impure water. In this 
country the cities of Cincinnati, Louisville and Evansville are supplied with Ohio 
river water without filtration, yet in consequence we are not aware that these cities 
have been the abode of contagious diseases. Of 1,417 cases of typhoid fever treated 
in the Leipsic hospital in the space of twenty-four years, the majority originated 
in the parts of the city supplied with the best water.! A quantity of organic mat- 
ter, nitric acid and chlorine found in water greater than is contained in the water 
of springs situated a distance from towns or other sources of organic impurity, 
prove beyond a doubt that the water contains sewage or soakage which deserves 
great attention. As the result of great experience in the examination of water 
from various sources, certain chemists have proposed the maximum quantity of 
each of these bodies which good water may contain. These limiting numbers, stand- 
ards, or grenzzahlen, are here given. 
The numbers represent parts in 100,000 parts of water. 
Chemist. 
Residue or 
Solids. 
Organic 
M atter. 
Nitric Acid 
Anhyd. 
Chlorine. 
Hardness. 
Total. 
E. Reichardt 
50 
2. 
0 4 
0.2-0.8 
18 
Kubel and Tiemann 
50 
5 
0.5-1.5 
2.-3. 
18-20 
F. Wibel 
50 
5 
0.5-2 
3.5 
18-20 
F. Fischer 
50 
4. 
2.7 
3.5 
17 
M. Pettenkoffer 
5. 
The Rivers Pollution Commissioners of England, appointed to investigate the 
subject of potable waters in general, and the water supply of London in particular, 
give as the result of their researches in their Sixth Report, 1868, a series of conclu- 
sions, some of which are as follows: 
1. Any liquid which has not been subjected to perfect rest in subsidence ponds 
of sufficient size for a period of at least six hours, or which, having been so sub- 
jected to subsidence, contains in suspension more than one part by weight of dry 
organic matter in 100,000 parts by weight of the liquid ; or which, not having 
been so subjected to subsidence, contains in suspension more than three parts by 
weight of dry mineral matter, or one part by weight of dry organic matter, in 
100,000 parts by weight of the liquid. 
2. Any liquid which shall exhibit by daylight a distinct color when a stratum 
of it one inch is placed in a white porcelain or earthenware dish. 
3. Any liquid which contains more than one part chlorine in 100,000 parts. 
The Vienna Water Commissioners, appointed to investigate into the water supply 
of the city of Vienna, came to certain conclusions regarding healthy (gesundes) 
water, as the result of their investigations. A translation of some of these from 
their report, made in 1864, is here given : 
*Stohmann Muspratt’s Tech. Chem. , B. 4, S. 1746. 
fFluegge Zeitschrift, Biologie 13-502 Indianapolis Water Works Co. and of White River. 
11 
1. Water must be clear, sparkling and colorless. 
2. It must contain but a small quantity of solid materials and be entirely free- 
of organized matter (infusoria.) 
3. Of the alkaline earths (CaO, MgO), it must not contain more than 18 parts- 
by weight in 100 000 parts by weight of the water. 
4. It must contain but a small fractional part by weight of soluble salts, par- 
ticularly the sulphates and nitrates. 
5. The solids held in solution and the temperature of the water must vary 
within very narrow limits during the year. 
6. It must be protected from contamination. 
7. The above requirements are fulfilled in many cases by soft spring water, 
which alone is shitable for drinking purposes. 
8. The industries require water having nearly the same properties. 
9. Filtered river water, if at all times free of turbidity, will answer for technical 
purposes, but, on account of not fulfilling requirements 5 and 6, is not fit for drink- 
ing purposes. 
10. To sprinkle or clean streets any water is suitable, providing it is odorless 
and does not contain a great amount of offensive materials. 
THE WATER OF THE CITY WATER WORKS COMPANY FOR DRINK- 
ING PURPOSES. 
Notwithstanding it is very doubtful if impure water ever becomes infected with 
the germs of disease, yet by the chemical and microscopic examination of water 
there can remain no doubt in regard to its purity or contamination and the proper 
course to pursue. To determine the quality of the water supplied by the Water 
Company it was desirable to ascertain, first, the quantity of the organic matter,, 
chlorine, nitrates, etc., in the water of the well of the Water Works, or that drawn 
from the mains; second, the quantity of the above named substances in the water 
of the river near the Water Works; and, third, if the water of the river, near the 
Water Works, is similar in constitution to that above the city. 
If we take cognizance of the proposed limiting numbers we must conclude that 
the water of the Water Works is suspicious. This is-at once seen by examination 
of Table No. IV: 12 
Report and Analyses of the Waters of the 
TABLE No. IY. 
No. of Analyses. 
Chemists. 
Solids dried at 
180° C. 
Chlorine. 
rO 
G 
< i 
rs o 
O <N 
< 
o 
£ 
Organic Matter. 
Degrees of Hard- 
ness. 
E. Reichardt 
50. 
0.2-0.8 
0.4 
2. 
18. 
Kubel and Tiemann 
50. 
2.-8. 
0.5-1.5 
5. 
o 
Od 
1. 
00 
F. Wibel 
50- 
35 
0.5-2.0 
5. 
18-20. 
3.5 
2.7 
4 
17. 
M. Pettenkoffer 
5. 
Description. 
<6 
Water of WaterWorks 
49.77 
10.06 
1.79 
4.92 
17.01 
2 
Water of White river near Water 
Works 
28.02 
0.393 
0.728 
7.71 
11.34 
2 
Water of White river near Water 
Works: A 
27.96 
0.203 
0.878 
7.34 
11.15 
That five parts of organic matter in 100,000 parts of water, as given in the table 
by some of the chemists, is too high, there can be no doubt. In my judgment the 
limit should not exceed two. This conclusion is based on the fact that in water 
•containing three parts organic matter in 100,000. parts when subjected to a mod- 
erate temperature in contact with air, numerous monads and algae are developed, 
and, in order to prevent the formation of infusoria, water should not contain more 
than from 1.5 to 2 parts organic matter in 100,000 parts of the water. By refer- 
ing to Table No. I, it will be observed that water from the hydrant in the court- 
house yard, sample No. 4, contained over twice the amount of organic matter than 
that of the well of the Water Works, No. 6, and, on the contrary, the latter con- 
tained over twice as much chlorine as the former. 
When these results were obtained I concluded there was a mistake made as to 
the time of collecting the two samples. Inquiry was made and information was 
received that both samples were collected on the same day, December 10, and that 
In case of a fire water is taken directly from the river. If this be true the results 
are fully explained, as the excess of river water in the mains after a fire increased 
the quantity of organic matter above that in the water of the Water Works well, 
and the admixture diluting the 16.58 parts chlorine to 7.5 parts, as the water of 
White river contains much less chlorine than the water of the Water Works. If 
all the water in the well of the Water Works Company comes from the river it is Indianapolis Water Works Co. and of White River. 
13 
not improved to any great extent by the filtration. If part comes from the river, 
and by filtration is improved, then the water of the well from other sources is pol- 
luted ; for the amount of organic matter, chloride and nitric acid in the water oj the Water 
Woi'ks well, proves beyond a doubt that there is sewage, contents of privy vaults, or effete ma- 
terials of slaughter-houses dissolved in the water. It vnll be seen by referring to Table No. 11 
that the chlorine in this water is in nearly as great a quantity as the average of it in sewage„ 
As far as the analyses of the water of White River are concerned they show that 
the water of this river contains that excess of organic matter, chlorides and 
nitrates, that the water of all rivers contain which flow through a cultivated 
country. Water from the middle of White River, opposite the Water Works, No. & 
of Table No. I, was very muddy and colored. The water, after shaking in a bottle 
and before settling, contained the enormous quantity of 31 33 parts of organic- 
matter per 100,000 parts of the water, and yet there were but 1.1 parts nitric acid 
in that quantity of the water. The organic matter could not have been advanced 
in decomposition, as there were no growing vegetables with which the water could 
come in contact. River water varies greatly in the quantity of bodies held in solu- 
tion, particularly organic matter. On account of the limited number of analyses of 
the water of White River, this is not shown in Table No. I. Reichardt estimated 
the total organic matter, nitric acid and chlorine, in the water of the river Saale, 
taken from the river above the city of Jena. Twelve estimations were made, the 
water in each case was taken from the river about the first day of each month for 
twelve consecutive months. The variations in quantity of these bodies were as 
follows: 
Total solids, 8 to 31.2 ; difference, 23.2; average of 12 estimations 18.8 
Organic matter, 0.93 to 4.10; difference, 3 17 ; average of 12 estimations 2 87 
Nitric acid, 0.11 to 0.65 ; difference, 0.54 ; average of 12 estimations 0.21 
Chlorine, 0 57 to 217 ; difference, 1.60 ; average of 12 estimations 1.25 
Reichardt conducted a great number of analyses of the water of the Spring 
Muehlthal, near Jena, which in part supplies the city with water. The following 
are his results: 
Total solids, 29 5 to 47; difference, 17.5; average of all estimations 37. 
Organic matter, 0.16 to 1.26; difference, 1.10; average of all estimations 0.57 
Nitric acid, 011 to 0.54; difference, 0.43; average of all estimations 0.25 
Chlorine, 0.52 to 1.15; difference, 0.63; average of all estimations 0.77 
Reference has been made to some of Reichardt’s work as illustrating very well 
the properties of good river water, on one hand, and those of good spring water on 
the other. By these results, river water is shown to be unfit for drinking purposes, 
as the variations in composition are according to the amount of rain-fall, for when 
the stage of water is high decaying vegetables and animal matter are dissolved by 
the water, and its tributaries carry into it all manner of impurities, to say nothing 
of manufacturers of starch, soap, oil, dyes, etc., which- may discharge their mate- 
rials of waste into the river. 
The limiting numbers, of themselves, are of little value in the determination of 
the quality of water; but taking into account the variations of composition, based 
on estimations made at different times, they become of great value. The results of 14 
Report and Analyses of the Waters of the 
;the six analyses of the water of the Water Works show that the variations in its 
■composition are great, proving conclusively that the water is contaminated : 
Total solids, 36.26 to 51.88; difference, 12.65; average of the six analyses— 49.77 
•Organic matter, 2.29 to 8 46; difference, 6.17; average of the six analyses 4.92 
Nitric acid, 1.27 to 2.40; difference, 1.13; average of the six analyses 1.79 
Chlorine, 2.79 to 18.90; difference, 15.11 ; average of the six analyses 10.06 
A single analysis of water is of little value in determining its quality for drink- 
ing purposes, unless the results show a considerable excess of organic matter, nitric 
acid, chlorine, etc. 
THE FUTURE WATER SUPPLY OF THE CITY OF INDIANAPOLIS. 
The water of White River can, by proper filtration, he improved sufficiently for 
drinking purposes. There is, however, difference of opinion on the effectiveness of 
filtration of river water. The conclusions, Nos. 6, 7 and 9, of the Vienna Water 
Commissioners shut out the use of filtered river water for drinking purposes; and 
the Rivers Pollution Commissioners, in their sixth report, consider water that con- 
tains any animal substances beyond redemption, so far as filtration is concerned. 
In regard to the London water supply, from the Thames, they report: 
1. The Thames, above the intake of the respective water companies, receives 
the sewage from a large number of towns and other inhabited places, the washings 
of a large area of highly cultivated land, and the filthy discharges from many in- 
dustrial processes and manufactures. 
2. The water is used for bathing, for the washing of sheep and cattle, and of 
dirty linen, and the putrid carcasses of animals float upon its surface. It is the 
common water-way for a large amount of polluting matter, much of which is at 
times dangerous to the health of persons who use even the filtered water for dietetic 
purposes. 
3. In time of flood, a large proportion, both of suspended and dissolved filth, 
is conveyed down to the intakes of the metropolitan water companies; and in ' 
ordinary weather a considerable proportion of the soluble organic matter of sewage, 
discharged into the river and its tributaries, likewise makes its way down to the 
works of the water companies, and is still present in the water distribnted by them 
in London. 
4. The water is, nevertheless, when efficiently filtered, free from any offensive 
taste or odor. 
5. Notwithstanding the application of partial remedies for sewage pollution at 
Banbury, Eaton, and Windsor, and the greater care exercised by most of the com- 
panies in the storage and filtration of the water, the organic pollution contains in 
the Thames water delivered in London, though subject to fluctuation from the 
greater or less prevalence of floods, does not diminish. 
6. There is no hope of this disgusting state of the river being so far remedied as 
to prevent the admixture of animal and other offensive matters with the filtered 
Thames water as delivered in the metropolis. Indianapolis Water Works Co. and of White River. 
15 
7. The temperature of the water drawn from the companies’ mains is liable to 
•excessive fluctuations, being near the freezing point in winter, and so warm in 
summer as to render the water vapid and unpalatable. 
8. We therefore recommend that the Thames should, as early as possible, be / 
abandoned as a source of water for domestic use, and that the sanction of your ) 
Majesty’s Government be, in future, withheld from all schemes involving the/ 
expenditure of more capital for the supply of Thames water to the 
water of the Thames is not purified sufficiently by the several wateFcompanies, is 
occasioned by the filters being too small for quantity of water filtered, sand too 
coarse or too fine, or the rate of flow of the water through the filters too rapid. 
It must be taken to account that the seven metropolitan water companies, taking 
water from the Thames or Lea, have in view the making of their business as lucra- 
tive as possible. We have demonstration of the fact that polluted water can be 
purified by filtration. In the water furnished Altona, a city below Hamburg, on 
the Elbe river, the Water Works Company take water from Blankenese, eight miles 
below Hamburg. The water of the river at this point contains all the sewage, etc., 
of Hamburg, and by filtration this water loses nearly all its organic matter, and 
all its infusorial organisms 
Samuelson® experimented several years on the filtration of polluted waters, and 
discovered many important facts regarding the process. For example, the maxi- 
mum rate of flow of the water through a filter differs in different waters, and sand 
must be of certain quality as to size, etc. 
A second source of water supply may be obtained from White River by natural 
filtration. For the employment of this process the banks of the river must be low 
and composed largely of sand. By a system of canalst of stone, earthen ware, or 
iron, in the sand several feet below the surface water, is conveyed into cemented 
reservoirs, which are necessarily deep, and in order to prevent the water from 
freezing in winter, or becoming warm in summer, they are arched over. By this 
mode of filtration the city of Lyons is supplied with water from the banks of 
the Rhone, Toulouse from the Garonne, and Genoa from the Scrivia. Water 
obtained by this mode of filtration differs greatly in constitution from river water, 
and, unlike the latter, is of low temperature and constant in quality. From the 
analysis of the water of Murphy’s well, on Schumann’s farm, Table No. I, the 
water of White river, by natural filtration, may be the most practical source of 
water supply of Indianapolis. Although river water can be purified by filtration, 
yet the want of skill required in the arrangement of filters, choice of sand, or rate 
of flow of water through the filter, results in the delivery of polluted water. Con- 
sequently some cities, located on rivers, have their water supply from springs. 
Frankfort on the Main receives water from the springs of Vogelsberg and Spessart; 
Vienna from the High Mountain Springs (Hochgebirgsquellen); and, although the 
collection mains of the water works of Dresden, are in a stratum of sand adjoin- 
ing the Elbe, yet the water which they receive does not come from the river. Of 
eighty cities in Germany, supplied with water by water works, only twelve receive 
* Filtration des Flusswassers von Kirkwood, uebersetzt von Sainuelson. 
fThese canals or mains may bs perforated above and surrounded by coarse gravel and bowlders 
. they may be arranged on different plans. 16 
Report and Analyses of the Waters, etc. 
water direct from rivers; whereas, according to Reichardt, of twenty water works, 
from 1849-65, twelve employed river water; and by the same authority we learn 
that in 1871, of eight water works projected only two took river water; and of the 
fifteen water works projected in 1873, not one employed river water. Eleven of the 
twelve cities of Germany at present receiving river water, direct from rivers, have 
the same filtered. 
It is apparent that river water, even when subjected to subsidence and filtration, 
is a last resort as a source of supply. Permit me, in conclusion, to remark that 
the question of the future water supply of the city of Indianapolis, is one that 
should not be decided in haste. 
To Prof. S. B. Wylie, assistant in the Department of Chemistry, and Mr. I. N- 
Corr, an advanced student in Chemistry, I am greatly indebted for valuable assist- 
ance rendered in carrying on the analysjls herein reported. 
Respectfully yours, 
T. C. VAN NUYS: