ON A METHOD BY WHICH A PURE WATER- 

 SUPPLY COULD PE OBTAINED 

 FOR BPJ8ABNE. 



By THOS. L. BANCROFT, M.B., Edin. 



[Read before the Roi/al Societi/ of Qiieenshind, lOth Axuim^t, 1809.] 



If the Enoggera water be analysed, it will be found to be free 

 from inorganic matter with the exception of a very small 

 amount of common salt, [In March last, after a considerable 

 spell of dry weather, there was only 1.2 grains Chlorine to the 

 gallon.] but to contain an enormous amount of organic 

 impurity. 



In March, I made an analysis to ascertain the amount of 

 organic matter, with the following result : — 



Free Ammonia -00 ) 



Albuminoid Ammonia -24 J ^^'^' P^"^ ^^^^^^^o"- 



A water containing -10 parts per million is generally con- 

 sidered too impure for consumption until subjected to filtration 

 and the amount of Albuminoid Ammonia reduced to -05 parts 

 per million. 



Consumption of water containing -20 parts per million of 

 Albuminoid Ammonia by a community has been found to bring 

 about various conditions of ill health. In England, such a 

 water would be condemned as unfit for use, but here in Brisbane, 

 we are compelled to consume water of that discription. 



How can water be freed from organic impurity '? 



It has been found that this is possible in many instances 

 by filtration, but it must be remembered that efficient filtration, 

 on a large scale, entails a very serious expense and one that 

 Brisbane could scarcely afford at the present time. 



