place for a storage basin and that a dam could be erected at this point at comparatively small expense.

As already stated, these are all points which cannot be finally determined without further study. I am, however, inclined to view with considerable favor the general proposition of the City's taking its water supply from some point on this stream. In my opinion it will be safe for you to proceed on the assumption that such can be done, on one plan or another, although it may finally appear that filtration will be necessary. For the latter purpose it might prove feasible to install a specially designed system of pressure fitration, such as is now utilized at Lynchburg, Virginia, for handling a water which is highly colored but from which the pollution feature, as here, is practically absent.

The question of sufficiency of quantity has not been considered, by us, such being in any case not directly within the province of our Board. It is assumed, however, that the present reservoir system would be maintained and held in reserve, and if this is done, it would seem that an abundant supply must at all times be available. Very truly yours,

CHARLES D. HOWARD, Chief of Division

Samples collected from the Upper Ammonoosuc during the winter of 1925-1926 afforded favorable analyses as a whole and, with a few exceptions, this continued to be the case respecting later collections. During the spring of 1926 the consulting engineer retained by the city in this connection requested the opinion of the State Board of Health concerning this project, reply being made as follows:

"Dear Sir:"

June 1, 1926

"Replying to your inquiry concerning the proposed source of water supply for the city of Berlin, involving the Upper Ammonoosuc River, I might state that the situation here involved is a rather complex one. During the past two years the writer has made the city a number of reports, concerning various water supply projects and the aspects involved, and if you could arrange to obtain these from the city and go over them, if you have not already done so, you would probably find this enlightening. The firm of Weston & Sampson, Boston, has also made one or two reports.

"The question, so far as we are concerned regarding the Ammonoosuc source is whether or not this will be physically acceptable. This department has surveyed this stream and is satisfied that, from

a sanitary standpoint, it is acceptable in that no pollution is involved, other than might come from animals and from the frequenting of the stream by sportsmen. As a safeguard it would undoubtedly be desirable to install chlorination.

"We are not as yet quite ready to pronounce as to the matter of physical fitness. From the examinations thus far made it appears that at times this water is physically excellent, while at others there is appreciable color and some turbidity. Whether or not it is appreciably better, if any better, than the present brook reservoir source, we are not ready to say before having studied the data, of which we really ought to have more. As you are possibly aware the final determination of this question rests with the State Board of Health.

"You are probably also aware that one of the drawbacks about the present brook system is insufficiency, rendering it necessary at times to pump from the River. Permanent utilization of the latter, for which plans were prepared, has been criticised in that (a) it would detail material expense for pumping, and (b) it would mean intermingling of filtered river water with the unfiltered brook system. A proposed system of pressure filtration for automatically treating the latter source was disfavored by this department."

At the close of the period covered by this report the matter was still pending.

CHESTERFIELD.

The following is in reference to a sewage disposal problem encountered by the Lake Spofford Club:

September 15, 1925

Several inspections have been made by this department of the alleged objectionable conditions caused by the discharge of sewage from the Lake Spofford Club into Partridge Brook.

June 16th, a few days prior to the opening of the hotel, the septic tank was opened to observe the accumulation of sludge and scum. There was found to be about six inches of sludge in the first compartment and a mat of scum on top nearly three inches thick. At this same time it was found that the chlorinator had just recently been repaired and a new tank of gas ordered. In view of the complaints of the two previous seasons it was thought advisable to assure that the tank and chlorinator were working properly before the opening of the hotel so that any improper conditions might be remedied. Later, on August 21st, a second inspection was made to observe conditions during the height of the season. On this inspec

tion a sample of the septic tank effluent was taken for analysis and a number of the residents of the village interviewed to determine the reason for the complaints. And again on September 2nd a short visit was made to further look over the situation.

Partridge brook, the outlet of Lake Spofford, is controlled by a small submerged outlet in a dam which has been placed across the old outlet. The maximum opening in this outlet provides for a flow of about 45 cu. ft. per second into the brook. Some distance below the dam is a small saw-mill which uses the water for power purposes and at such times as this is in operation the gate is opened nearly half way, which allows a flow of about 22 cu. ft. per second. In the evening after six o'clock the gate is shut almost entirely and the flow at this time is estimated to be less than 10 cu. ft. per second. It is said that the gate is usually never open more than half so that the maximum flow is probably not more than 22 cu. ft. per second except at such times as the level of the lake rises high enough to flow over the weir in the dam.

On the downstream side of the dam the brook separates into two branches which join again about a quarter of a mile below. At the point of diversion the effluent from the septic tank is discharged into the brook through a submerged outlet. Following the brook it is less than a half male to the center of the village.

While the people of the village are strongly against the whole idea of discharging the hotel sewage into the brook, the main objection is "the terrible odor that pervades the general locality." They also complain that they have lost the use of their pasture lands adjoining the brook, maintaining that their customers will not buy milk from them if the cows are allowed to drink the brook water. Also they say that all fish life has been destroyed by the sewage and what was once a very good trout stream is now utterly ruined. A cottage owner near the sewer outlet claims that he has been unable to rent his cottage for the last two seasons and is threatening to sue the hotel for damages. However, it was gathered that other factors entered into the failure of renting the cottage.

The odor seems to give no trouble during the day but sometimes in the evening and especially on rainy, damp nights it is said to be very bad. The owners of the Brookside Ice Cream Parlor, the closest building to the outlet and about 100 feet distant, state that they never notice the odor except on rainy nights. Mr. C. D. York, owner of a store in the village, states that the odor is very noticeable in the night when the wind is in the right direction. At no time during the inspections was any appreciable odor noticed except very close to the outlet. In a report of a previous inspection by Prof. Fletcher and Mr. Poole, is found: "We inspected the outlet of

your new sewer pipe and found a very distinct odor quite appreciable in the highway above." (Note: There is a highway over the top of the dam). It is thought that the people of the village are too ready to make more complaint of the matter than is really called for, nevertheless for preponderence of evidence in the form of complaints shows that at times the situation becomes a nuisance and as should be abated.

Analysis of the effluent revealed 440 parts per million of total solids, showing that the reduction of solid matter in the tank is in the neighborhood of 50%. The effluent is a typical septic tank effluent being very unstable, the relative stability of which was less than 11%. B. coli were found in the 1/10,000 c. c. examination so it was recommended that the dosage of chlorine be doubled.

With the closing of the gate, the brook is drawn down to such an extent that the greater portion of the stream-bed is exposed. The suspended matter has deposited on the stones for some distance downstream forming thin sludge deposits. The odors of decomposition of these sludge deposits on the stones when exposed is thought to be the cause of most of the objectionable odor. If the brook were controlled so as to have a constant flow of water at all times much of the odor should be eliminated. However, the flow rights of the brook are controlled by the owners of the saw-mill.

It was recommended that a grease trap be placed in the line from the kitchen, not so much to aid the action of the tank but to prevent the depositing of grease in the line which has necessitated taking it up several times.

The large quantity of water used and the nature of the soil in the locality makes a sub-surface drainage plan out of the question. Be cause of the location of the hotel in the village, sand filtration to improve the condition of the effluent is impossible because the odors of decomposition on a sand bed would be very objectionable. The only recourse, if the situation continues to be a nuisance, is to pump the sewage on the sand beds located on a hill some distance from the hotel. This system was used prior to the installation of the one now in use but was abandoned because of the extreme cost of pumping. The securing of the flow rights of the brook and keeping a constant flow of water would seem a possible remedy.

The proprietors of the Lake Spofford Club have done everything recommended by the engineers of the State Board of Health and expressed the desire to co-operate in any further way possible to remedy the trouble.

Respectfully submitted,

PAUL B. MARNER, Ass't Sanitary Engineer

October 8, 1925

Mr. B. F. Cushing, Treasurer,

Lake Spofford Club,

Spofford, N. H.

Dear Sir:

For your information there is being enclosed a copy of a report as made by our representative relative to the sewage disposal situation at Lake Spofford.

You will note what Mr. Marner states concerning complaints from people residing below the lake outlet, also that he seems to be impressed that the present arrangement involving discharge of tank effluent into Partridge Brook actually does constitute a nuisance calling for abatement.

While he feels that the latter cannot be effected without an arrangement whereby a sufficient volume of water from the lake will at all times be discharged into the brook yet the better method is to be found in pumping the sewage back onto the tract of land as referred to. Although this would admittedly entail some additional expense yet the latter should not be very substantial, and it is believed that the adoption of the arrangement would pay the club in the long run in removing the present grounds for complaints, arguments and illwill engendered by the discharge into the brook.

Very truly yours,

CHARLES D. HOWARD, Chief of Division

CHARLESTOWN.

The situation involving farm and pasture drainage on the Charlestown supply continues to be objectionable. In recognition of this fact the local health officer, writing under date of October 23, 1925, makes the following very pertinent statement : "If the town was only far-sighted enough to purchase the Wallace farm, right beside the upper pond, and a section of the Eggleston pasture, and forest these, the supply could always be protected. Trees could be removed as they grew in future time and the investment would pay for itself. This would get rid of all the cattle above the ponds. Some day perhaps a few of us can bring this about."

CLAREMONT.

At the town meeting held March 10, 1925 the town, in