76 GEORGE C. WHIPPLE 



tion on the attractiveness of waters that is, upon the aggregate effect 

 of their physical characteristics : 



The above figures do not pretend adequately to represent the con- 

 ditions in any of the cities included in the list, as the analysis in each 

 case represents only one date. They are, however, typical of what 

 the niters in the various places are doing, and they indicate that the 

 increased value of the water, because of its filtration, is as great as 

 the cost of the works in some cases it is even greater. Thus if the 

 effect of nitration on the sanitary qualities of these waters is entirely 

 ignored and only its effect on their physical qualities considered, the 

 nitration of these supplies would still be a profitable undertaking from 

 a financial standpoint. If the sanitary qualities were also considered, 

 the advantages of filtration would be found to be many times greater. 

 This phase of the subject has not received the consideration it 

 deserves, and it is this topic which the writer desires especially to 

 emphasize in the present paper. 



Water- softening. The following figures will illustrate the financial 

 value of water-softening plants : 



Winnipeg, Manitoba 



Hardness of water before treatment 580 



Hardness of water after chemical treatment and nitration 193 



Reduction in hardness 387 



Increased value of water due to water-softening process, per million gallons $38. 70 



Oberlin, Ohio 



Hardness of raw water 1 70 



Hardness of raw water after chemical treatment and filtration 48 



Reduction in hardness 122 



Increased value of water due to water-softening per million gallons . . . $12.20 



These figures refer only to water used for domestic purposes. If 

 industrial uses also were considered the advantages of water softening 

 would be still more evident. 



At the present time there are not many water-softening plants in 

 existence in connection with municipal supplies, but the advantages 

 to be gained are very great, and are becoming appreciated by the 

 managers of railroads and industrial establishments. With a better 

 understanding of the practical benefits to be derived from the use of 

 soft water, it may be confidently expected that during the next 10 

 years the number of municipal water-softening plants will very greatly 

 increase. 



