The Value of Pure Water 57 



application than the preceding, if the data upon which it is based 

 could be accurately determined. Unfortunately, this is not the case 

 in many instances, but by the use of certain generalized data and 

 assumptions, results may be secured which are of considerable use in 

 comparing the value of waters different in quality. 



The qualities of a public water supply which most affect the ordi- 

 nary consumer are : 



1. Its sanitary quality; that is, its liability of infection with disease 

 germs or substances deleterious to health. 



2. Its general attractiveness, or lack of attractiveness, as a drinking- 

 water. 



3. Its hardness, so far as this relates to the use of soap in the 

 household. 



4. Its temperature, so far as this relates to drinking. 

 Characteristics which affect industrial uses are too much a matter 



of local concern to be taken into account in a general discussion, 

 although they are by no means of small account, and in some com- 

 munities their importance might control. The qualities selected are 

 to be considered as illustrative of the method rather than as a com- 

 plete exposition of it. 



The problem is to express these four characteristics in terms of 

 dollars and cents to the consumer. The financial standard is cer- 

 tainly not the highest one for judging the quality of a water supply 

 when the public health is concerned ; human life cannot be estimated 

 in gold dollars, and the smell of unsavory water to a thirsty man cannot 

 be reckoned in dimes; nevertheless, the financial basis is a convenient 

 one, and one necessarily involved in all questions which relate to public 

 utilities. 



SANITARY QUALITIES. 



If the water under consideration has been used for a considerable 

 time, the typhoid fever death-rate of the community will fairly well 

 represent the sanitary quality of the water supply. It will not tell 

 the whole story, but in most cases it will not lead far astray. In order 

 to reduce this to a financial basis, it is necessary to make several 

 assumptions. 



The financial value of a human life is generally taken as $5,000, 



