50 



"Inasmncli as the safety of public \'\ater supplies is the most import- 

 ant element in the prnhlem of stream pollution at the present time, the 

 following ireneral princiiiles should .govern the dischai'ge of sewage and 

 waste matters into rivers and waterways : 



"Streams from which water su])i)lies are taken without inirihcation 

 should not receive any fecal matter, sewage, sewage effluent or wastes that 

 will render the water a menace to health or othenvise impair its natural 

 quality. 



"Streams li'din which water sujiplics are t;d<en and used after i)urifica- 

 tion shoulti nut receive fecal matter, sewage, sewage effluent or Avaste 

 matter in sucli <piantities that tlip contamination of the water at any 

 water-works intake would ]iut ;-n pni'<'asonal)lc Imrdcn upon the jairitica- 

 tion works, or in (piantities suHi'lent to iiroducc the conditions referred to 

 iu til;' next i);iragraiih. 



"Streams not used for wat<r suiiplies ni:iy receive sewage wherever 

 and in siich (|naiitities ihat i^s enti'.nicc will not scnsildy offend decency in 

 til" r(';ison;dile pulilic use of ;iu> stream, or cause interference with naviga- 

 tion, or vvith v-iluahlc li^h indiisti-ies. nv tile ice industry. When this can- 

 not lie d IMC. tiie sewage or wastes should I'eceive such trejitmcnt before 

 discli:ii-ge as to bring the effluent within this rule, due reg;ird being given 

 to tile relative cost of (lie jirocesses reipiired and the beneht to be derived. 



"While !■( (iigni/.ing tb;it the ]iollulion ol many ri\-ei's and waterwa.vs 

 is in('\it:ibh' ■ind tlnit absolute prev<>ntion of iiolhitinn is impossible, it is 

 deeined inipci-.it ively necessary- tluit some control o\-er the discharge of 

 waste n. alter into i-ivers and watei'w;iys be maintained. The committee 

 heartily endorses, therefore, the movenient I hat is being made to keep the 

 liollulinn of streams williiii rc.-isoiiable bounds" 



'J'he pripblem of proiccfioii of our sfe.-ims from poUution is one in which 

 a general interest should be taken by eve"yone. .Vlthongh the p(>ople on a 

 stream below a lity arc directly effeetiij. yet the urban i»opuIation is 

 affected indirectly by the food products such as veget.-ibles and dairy 

 suplilies fnni farmeis ••id.jacent to the -Ireams. Rapid strides ;ire now 

 being made in the protection of (air river- from iiollution, ;iiid it is ho'ied 

 tli.it problem "an be effectmilly controlled betoi'e long. 



