82 
IOWA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 
The city of Cedar Rapids began by using river water 
unfiltered. An agitation against its quality resulted in the 
sinking of artesiau wells, which for five years constituted 
the main source of our water supply. The water being 
hard, deposited lime incrustations which rendered it 
unsatisfactory for industrial purposes. For the past ten 
years we have used a mixed water, as above described, 
which has proven potable and is used in boilers with satis- 
factory results. 
The amount of artesian water being used in our mains 
varies, depending upon the season of the year and the con- 
dition of the water in the river. 
River water, being a variable quantity, holds at intervals 
considerable suspended matter, and as a result becomes 
turbid. At other times the water is clear, but such is not 
a test of its purity. 
The first step in municipal hygiene is the purification of 
water. Every man, be he drone or toiler, is entitled by 
Divine right to all the pure water he may require. The 
Scriptures teach us that by the sweat of his brow man 
shall earn his bread, but they abound in metaphors indi- 
cating the purity and freedom of this gift. Ho, every 
one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters.” “ Whosoever 
will, let him take of the water of life freely.” 
But advancing civilization has in its haste rendered it 
impure. Every wrong should be righted, every evil cleared 
away, so must man render pure again this blessing be- 
stowed upon him. 
The lax methods of present day civilization are plainly 
seen in delayed action, pointing towards sanitary legisla- 
tion. 
Streams reeking with filth and pollution — the sewage of 
communities upon its banks — are sad commentaries upon 
our boasted civilization, and are also existing proofs of an 
almost criminal delay in securing preventive legislation. 
To remedy this evil before epidemics become more 
numerous and intense, some relief must be/_extended by 
our lawmakers. 
