PRESIDKNTIAL ADDRESS SECTION A. 



31 



Quality of Water. 



In the first sample (see chemical analyses) the solids were 

 S68 per million, and in the second only 180 per million, as com- 

 pared with 1,050 under the worst conditions. 



It will be observed that the total hardness increases as the 

 quantity of water flowin«^ in the river decreases. This is due to 

 the increasing proportion of dolomitic water as the fiow in the 

 river decreases. The samples taken for bacterial examinations 

 shows that the water is remarkably free from the ordinary 

 organisms usually found in river water, and the number of 

 bacteria is also very small for such a river. This is no doubt 

 due to the amount of silt carried by the river. 



The first chemical sample was taken in Feljruarv, wlien the 

 river was discharging 1,220 cubic feet per second, and the second 

 sample when only 80 cusecs were passing. The sample taken 

 for bacteriological examination was taken on the same date as 

 that for chemical analysis, on the 27th June, 1913. 



Chemical Analyses of the Vaal River Water. 



The following analyses were made by the Government 

 Analyst (Dr. McCrae) of two samples of water taken at a 

 jiomt 400 yards above the Railway Bridge at Vereeniging on 

 the 3rd FelDruary, 1913, and on the 27th June, 1913: — 



Analyses. 

 {Results expressed in parts per 100,000) 



80 

 cu. sees 



No. 2. 

 27/6/ 19 I 3. 



17.95 

 5.8 

 0.5 



Nil. 

 Nil. 

 0.0016 

 0.0112 



0.14 



9.6 



2.0 



Nil. 

 (Appreciable 

 amount.) 



