224 Alaskan Science Conference 



and little seasonal variation in water temperature offer much 

 promise as a continuous source of water for a community. 



At several points in interior Alaska, deep wells which draw 

 water from below the permafrost (subpermafrost water) have 

 been developed to provide continuously adequate amounts of 

 water. In the Arctic coast communities of Alaska, wells which 

 have been drilled to a point below permafrost have produced 

 only salt water. The majority of deep wells drilled in the Fair- 

 banks section of Alaska have produced water with a relatively 

 high iron content. However, subpermafrost water sources 

 appear to be the most dependable sources of water supply in the 

 low temperature areas. 



Production of Water Which is Palatable and Free from 



Contamination 



Environmental conditions such as extremely low tempera- 

 tures, retarded biological and chemical reactions, practically 

 continuous light during a portion of the year, and changes in 

 the physical state of organic material, fluids and solids may all 

 play an important part in the provision of safe and palatable 

 water. Low temperature area conditions appear conducive to 

 prolongation of the life of pathogenic bacteria. These same 

 conditions promote careless disposal of sewage and other wastes 

 as well as foster the indiscriminate use of possibly contaminated 

 surface and shallow ground waters. 



In Greenland (5)* during the period of 1928 through 1930, 

 88 cases of typhoid fever were reported in a population of 9,455. 

 In Alaska during the period 1937 through July of 1950, 94 cases 

 of typhoid fever were reported in a population between 75,000 

 and 130,000. Cases in Alaska (26) have been reported from all 

 parts of the Territory and cases have been reported each year 

 during the period 1937 to July 1950. Typhoid has also been 

 reported to be common in parts of the Soviet Arctic. 



Three hundred twelve cases of bacillary dysentery were 

 reported from Alaska during the period 1937 through 1949. 



* The bibliographical references for this and the following paper are combined 

 on pp. 251-253. 



