282 AGRICULTURAL EX. STATION. [Jan. '90. 



million of free ammonia and more than .10 parts per million 

 of albuminoid ammonia, is a clear indication that the water 

 is contaminated with sewage, decaying animal matter, urine, 

 etc., and should be condemned. 



4. Eight hundredths parts per million of free ammonia 

 and one-tenth part per million of albuminoid ammonia 

 render a water very suspicious, even without much chlorine. 



5. Albuminoid ammonia, over .15 parts per million, 

 ought to absolutely condenm a water which contains it. 



6. The total solids found in the water should not exceed 

 forty grains per gallon (571.4 parts per million). 



The American Association of Official Chemists has 

 appointed a committee to investigate the subject of analyses 

 of water for family use, and to advise upon some uniform 

 method of investigation and of reporting the results. As 

 soon as their recommendation shall be endorsed by the 

 association, we propose to be guided hy that decision. 



An examination of the previously stated results of 

 analyses, indicate that Nos. 3,, 5, 10, 11, 16, 18, 23, 24, 

 25, 27, 28, 32, 33, 34, 42, 46, 52, 54, 57 and 58, ought 

 to be condemned as unfit for family use, while Nos. 12, 56, 

 66 and 68 must be considered suspicious. From this record 

 it will be seen that over one-fourth of the entire number of 

 well waters tried proved unfit for drinking. Heating well 

 waters to the boiling point removes, not unfrequently, 

 immediate danger. Seven samples gave unmistakable 

 evidence of the presence of lead. 



Parties sending on water for analysis ought to be very 

 careful to use clean vessels, clean stoppers, etc. The 

 samples should be sent on without delay after collecting. 

 One gallon is desirable for the analysis. 



