WATER IN THE HOME 



such underground water sources have been tapped artifi- 

 cially. Sometimes this water may run underground for a 

 long distance, and come from a much higher altitude, so 

 that when it is tapped it shoots into the air to some height. 

 What is impure water? We usually consider water 

 pure unless it contains something that is injurious to health. 

 Ordinary dirt or mud found in water will not cause illness 

 unless there is decaying organic matter in it. Wherever 

 we find decay, we find germs which cause this decay, so 

 impure water, from a health standpoint, is water containing 

 germs. When we realize that germs of different kinds 

 exist in the food tube of our body, and that the wastes 

 which are passed off are full of germs, then it is evident 

 that water which contains sewage is impure. Any water 



drawn from the sur- 

 face of the land 

 would be more likely 

 to contain such 

 wastes, and hence 

 would be more dan- 

 gerous than water 

 coming from under- 

 ground. 



Safe wells and 

 deadly ones. - 

 Many of us who 

 have visited the 

 country on our vaca- 

 tions remember with pleasure the cold water from the deep 

 well or hillside springs near the farm house. Look at the 

 picture and see how a spring may be polluted by a cess- 

 pool. We have all doubtless seen places where the well 



A spring located like this one is deadly. Are there 

 any such in your locality? 



