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THE STATE WATER SURVEY. 



Edward Bartow. 



The late Arthur W. Palmer, Professor of Chemistry of the 

 University of Illinois, began the systematic surve_y o fthe 

 potable waters of the State in 1895. In 1897* the work was 

 officially recognized when the Legislature made it the duty 

 of the University to collect facts and data concerning the 

 w^ater supplies of the State ; to collect samples of water from 

 wells, streams and other sources of supply; to subject these 

 samples to such chemical and biological examination and 

 analysis as would serve to demonstrate their sanitary con- 

 dition; to determine standards of purity for drinking waters 

 for the various sections of the State ; and to publish the 

 results of these investigations to the end that the condition 

 of the potable waters of the State may be better known, and 

 that the welfare of the various communities of the State may 

 thereby be conserved. 



Three thousand dollars per annum was appropriated at 

 first. This has since been increased to $6,000 per annum 

 with additional money made available for the work by the 

 State Board of Health and the University. 



The work of the Survey may be classified in three di- 

 visions : first. Analytical and Experimental ; second. Diagnostic ; 

 third, Education and Publicity. 



Under the first division, Analytical and Experimental, the 

 Survey collects waters and determines the normal constitu- 

 ents for a district. Some of the investigations along this 

 line that are being carried on are, a study of farm water 

 supplies; a study of well waters in villages; and a study of 

 the character of the water of Lake Michigan along the Illi- 

 nois shore. In order to study methods the Water Survey 



*Laws of Illinois, 1897. page 12. 



