PRU^ATK WATER SUPPLIES 11 



In table 2 the supplies tested are classified by counties. Here again 

 tlie results given are in no way a reflection on the general condition of 

 tlie private supplies located in the respective counties. 



As migiit be expected, the majority of the supplies tested were located 

 in counties near to the laboratory. The 118 samples received from Barn- 

 stable County were an exception to this. It is interesting that the lowest 

 percentage of contaminated supplies also occurred in the case of the 

 supplies tested from this County. This directly reflects the fact tliat 

 people are becoming more alert to make sure their water supjdies are 

 satisfactory, for most of these supplies were of new construction. This 

 is brouglit out more clearly wiien the results of Barnstable County are 

 compared with those of Worcester, Hampden, or Hampshire Counties. 

 In tlie case of these three latter counties the majority of supplies tested 

 were not newlv constructed. 



It has been the intention in preparing this bulletin to present certain 

 information, little known or little understood by the public, regarding 

 the contamination in, and the bacteriological testing of, rural private water 

 supplies. The containination of such supplies with typhoid and dysentery 

 bacteria has ceased to be a public health problem in Massachusetts. The 

 State Board of Health Reports for the past few years fail to reveal any 

 case of typhoid fever directly traceable to the drinking of contaminated 

 water from a rural private supply. 



Water can and does, however, become contaminated witli the waste 

 materials from man and animals. The routine bacteriological test i> 

 designed to isolate and identify an organism known as "B. coli," which is 

 present in large numbers in the feces of man and warm-blooded animals. 

 This organism is used as an indicator of tlie presence of fecal material 

 in water. The test is both sensitive and dependable, for the presence of 

 such inaterial in a drinking water supply is at least objectionable, and 

 should always be considered as potentially dangerous. No attempt is 

 made in (his test to directly isolate disease-producing bacteria from the 

 water. 



Publication op this Document Ahhroved ay Commission on Administration anu hiN,- 

 4i]i-4-4 1 — ."i7Vl2 



