170 



Mic wntcr to make it potable. The great burden imposed niKHi a filtra- 

 tion plaut by the use of the river for the disposal of sewage and manu- 

 facturing wastes in constantly increasing quantities, should be lessened as 

 much as possible. Some degree of purification of all manufacturing 

 wastes and domestic sewage should be required. I'artial purification, such 

 as screening or the jiassing the sewage and wastes througli ImhofC tanks, 

 will give a satisfactory ctHneut for sonu' time to come. Some such treat 

 ment should therefore be recpiircd of all cities and towns and manufac- 

 turing concerns, and it was so recommended. 



Last summer similar work was dont' on White River from Winchester, 

 near the .source, to the mouth, a distance of aixiut ."ISS miles bi'ing covered. 

 From Winche.ster to Muncie the trip was made on foot; from Muncie to 

 IndianajKilis a rowlioat was used; hetwceii iiidian;i]Milis and Martinsville, 

 information and sam])les were collecte<l in an auto, and from Martins- 

 \ille down, tlie liousehoat wiiicii liad been used on the Wabasji Ki\-er was 

 again jiut in service. It liad lieen hronglit up to this jioint dui'ing tlie 

 early spring. 



Navigation was moi-e ditlicult tlian had been i)re\iously experienced, 

 and man.\- obstructions in tlie wa.\' of snags and sand bars were met. Al- 

 together 7711 samples were codected. :;;!4 of tiiem from the river. The 

 river for about 100 miles below Indianapolis was found to he In a serious 

 condition, due to the great anioind of sew.age and manulaclui-ing wastes 

 introduced into the ri\-er at Indianapolis. The flow of the y\\r\- during 

 dry seasons is entii-el.\- too small to cai-e for this iri-eat :r,noi;nt of sew 

 age. and the only I'emedy for the situation is the treatment of this i-efuse. 

 which has alread.v been b(>gun in an experimental wa.\-. When Indian- 

 apolis has relieved its ]iorrion of the pollntion. other cities will have 

 to do likewise, and in fins way. the condition of the rlxci' will gi'aduall.v 

 be restored to as neai- its original state as possible. 



Altogethei-, a total distance of l.l'.t.") nules were covered in the survey 

 of the last three rivers, and over :.'.(:<i(i samples were anal.w.ed. 1. ;;(;:; ol 

 them river .samples. The work done has revealed serious conditions on 

 two of the rivers. tlu> Calumet and Wliite. ste]»s for the improvement of 

 which have already been taken. In the case of the othei' two. steps foi- 

 the restoration of the watei- to its former condition should i)e taken, and 

 future iiollntion prohibited. Tlie aecomi)anying map shows the extent of 

 the work done on Indiana rivers. 



