IX. A, 4 Cox et al. : Water Supplies in the Philippines 345 

 WATER FOR INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES 



In the Philippines, where manufacturing industries are for the 

 most part still in their infancy, little or no attention was formerly 

 paid to the question of the quality of water for industrial pur- 

 poses. However, there is a growing demand for systematic study 

 of industrial water supplies. The problem of finding water, not 

 only in sufficient quantity but also of suitable quality, is one of 

 the large factors in the determination of the ultimate success or 

 failure of many of our commercial enterprises. This is partic- 

 ularly true in the Philippines, where there is an excessive amount 

 of salt in many inland waters. The rapid corrosion of metals, 

 probably accelerated by the high temperature and humidity, also 

 introduces many factors with which manufacturers elsewhere 

 generally do not have to contend. 



The qualities most desired in water for industrial purposes 

 are, in general, softness and freedom from suspended matter; 

 however, the suitability of any water depends, in a large measure, 

 on the industry for which it is to be used. 



Very soft water; water containing sulphuric acid, free carbon 

 dioxide, or over 200 parts per million of chlorine ; and acid waters 

 in general are corrosive, especially when used in boilers. Water 

 with over 100 parts per million of chlorine generally proves 

 injurious to plants. Water containing sulphuric acid is not 

 adapted to sugar manufacture. Hydrogen sulphide is poisonous, 

 and renders water generally unfit for drinking or for industrial 

 use; silica is objectionable in boiler water when present in more 

 than 15 parts per million; and a high nitrate content spoils 

 water for brewing, fermentation, or sugar refining. Alkaline 

 salts tend to make water unfit for boiler supply, irrigation, or 

 sugar refining ; more than a trace of ammonia interferes in brew- 

 ing, fermentation, or starch industries ; and iron and manganese 

 are nearly always objectionable, even in small quantities. 



Water which is entirely unfitted for one enterprise may be 

 excellent for another. Waters containing sodium chloride are 

 undesirable for soap making, yet are sometimes decidedly advan- 

 tageous in brewing. Hard waters entirely unsuited for laundry 

 or boiler use may be quite suitable for irrigation purposes. 

 Waters containing calcium and magnesium sulphate, adaptable 

 to brewing, are undesirable for soap making or boiler use. 



Technical or commercial analyses of waters are made to deter- 

 mine their suitability for making steam, for manufacturing, and 



