100 American Fisheries Society 



who naturally object to the expense of construction, the work of 

 installing fish ways is steadily progressing, and it is hoped that 

 soon all the potentially productive streams will be completely 

 equipped. 



POLLUTION. 



With the continuous growth of towns and cities, unless better 

 methods of disposal are devised and more stringent regulations 

 enforced, the amount of water pollution is inevitably bound to 

 increase. The ale wife streams form part of this general problem, 

 and similar methods of treatment are necessary. The pollution 

 question is so important, difficult and complex in its inevitable 

 conflict with large manufacturing interests, that to dismiss it in 

 the few words necessitated by the limited scope of this paper 

 seems most inadequate. 



Sewage, except in the larger rivers, is of relatively less import- 

 ance than the trade wastes, which comprise acids, alkalies and 

 miscellaneous chemicals from nail and iron works, rubber fac- 

 tories, wool scouring establishments, bleacheries, laundries, dye 

 works, leather factories, etc. 



The following plan of approaching the pollution problem has 

 been observed. All cases of pollution on alewife streams have 

 been recorded and brought to the attention of the owners. Educa- 

 tional propaganda is under way, but as yet no effort has been 

 made to use extreme legal measures. 



(1) Education. — The evil effects of pollution are presented to 

 the public by lectures and newspaper articles. 



(2) Survey. — Every source of pollution is recorded, and the 

 co-operation of the owner in its removal requested. 



(3) Disposal of Waste. — Through the expert advice of the 

 State Board of Health, satisfactory means of waste disposal at the 

 least possible expense to the manufacturers are recommended. 



(4) Utilization of Waste. — The manufacturers are shown 

 how they can utilize their waste products to best advantage, and 

 thereby cut down or completely eliminate the expense of main- 

 taining a disposal system. 



(5) Legal Action. — As an extreme measure, if the owner 

 refuses to co-operate, legal action for the elimination of pollution, 

 as provided under the present laws, may be instituted. 



