WIDE DISTRIBUTION OF TROUBLE CAUSED BY ALG^E. 11 



subject worthy of most careful investigation. Quotations from some 

 of the letters received are given, but, because there might be some 

 objection to the naming of towns, only the State in which the trouble 

 occurred is indicated. This is sufficient, however, to show that the 

 difficulty is not confined to any one part of the country, and that it is 

 the algae alone which are responsible for most of the bad odors and 

 tastes reported. 



CALIFORNIA: 



Any efforts in the direction of preventing the growth of algae will be gratefully 

 acknowledged. So long as the growth is healthy it is a benefit, but as soon as 

 the algae break up then trouble begins. 

 COLORADO: 



We have a reservoir of water that has recently become affected through the 

 presence of micro-organisms of the algae type that impart to the water a dis- 

 agreeable fishy odor and render its use objectionable. 

 DELAWARE: 



A fishy taste and odor. 

 ILLINOIS: 



The water tasted and smelled like rotten wood. 



Trouble serious enough to cause general complaint by consumers on account 

 of odor and taste. 



People declared that the water was musty. The appearance of the growth is 

 yellowish-brown, and as nearly as I can describe it the smell is musty. I cer- 

 tainly think the subject worthy of the best thought and work the Government 

 can give it. 

 INDIANA: 



The growth increased to such an extent that we were compelled to cement the 

 bottom and 5 feet up the sides. It was as dense as a field of clover in June. 



Taste was said by the people to be woody or fishy, like rotten wood or decayed 

 fish. At one time the report got out that the body of a missing man had been 

 found in the reservoir. 

 IOWA: 



After certain stages in the alga's growth it seemed to die and become decom- 

 posed, thus impregnating the water, giving it a most unpleasant odor and taste. 

 KENTUCKY: 



Fishy odor and taste, rather musty. 



The odor was so strong that we had to discontinue sprinkling the streets and 

 lawns. 



Urgency in this case is great, indeed almost imperative, since the condition of 

 the water during the past two or three summers has culminated in formal action 

 by the authorities. 

 MAINE: 



Trouble to such an extent as to lead us to consider, without taking definite 

 action, whether or not the water should be filtered before being distributed. 

 Odor is reported as exceedingly disagreeable, so that many customers avoid the 

 use of it as far as possible and believe it injurious to health. 

 MASSACHUSETTS: 



Trouble very serious; some years water is unfit to drink. Present year odor 

 and taste are not so strong as last year, when it was almost impossible to drink it. 



The odor was so bad that it would be almost impossible to take it as far as the 

 mouth to taste it. Horses refused it at the street watering troughs and dogs fled 

 from it. 



