1896.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 33. 57 



(b) WATER ANALYSIS. 



To determine the healthfulness of a water for drinkinpf, 

 the object is to note the quantity, kind and condition of the 

 organic matter, as well as the total amount of mineral con- 

 stituents it contains. 



All water contains more or less mineral matter in solution, 

 derived from the soil through which it percolates. Moderate 

 quantities (see limit below) are beneficial", and impart to the 

 water a pleasant taste. 



The method employed at this laboratory for testing waters 

 is what is known as Wancklyn's process. This chemist in- 

 terprets the results of his mode as follows : — 



1. More than 71 parts per million of chlorine, accom- 

 panied by more than .08 part per million of free ammonia 

 and more than .10 part per million of albuminoid ammonia, 

 indicate that the water is polluted with sewage, decaying 

 animal matter, urine, etc. (The amount of chlorine in 

 water depends somewhat on the section of the State from 

 which it comes.) 



2. Total solids should not exceed 571 parts per million. 



3. Water showing less than 5 degrees as here expressed 

 is termed soft ; between 5 and 10 degrees, medium ; and 

 above 10 degrees, hard. 



" Albuminoid " ammonia is the ammonia derived from the 

 breaking up of vegetable or animal matter in water, as a 

 result of "the action of certain chemicals in the process of 

 analysis. Its presence indicates, therefore, that the water 

 contains these matters in solution. 



The presence of free or actual ammonia in water shows 

 that these animal or vegetalile substances are being decom- 

 posed by various bacterial growths. Much free ammonia is 

 an indication that a water is suspicious or even dangerous 

 for drinking. 



Chlorine is one of the two components of common salt, 

 and salt is always found both in the urine of*human beings 



