CONFLICTING REPORTS ON SAULT SAINTE MARIE WATER.

CONFLICTING REPORTS ON SAULT SAINTE MARIE WATER.

联合国际委员会的报告the Pollution of Boundary Waters between the United States and Canada relative to the water supply of Saulte Sainte Marie, Mich., stating that it is unfit for consumption without receiving adequate treatment confirms a report made by a government surgeon but conflicts with reports of the city health officer and the State Board of Health. The Joint Commission’s report states in part: “The third cross-section, just above the waterworks intake of Sault Sainte Marie, Mich., showed practically the same degree of pollution as the previous one, which is in the vicinity of Whitefish Bay. Water from this vicinity ought not to be furnished by the municipality wthout adequate treatment os some kind. The pollution of the water shown here probably explains the continued excessive typhoid rate of this city, especially during the navigation season. The

samples from above the Canadian ship canal showed great increase of pollution, much of which is probably due to concentration of shipping at this point. The use of water from such a source is extremely dangerous. Unfortunately, the water supply of Sault Sainte Marie, Ont., is taken from the river just below these points. Acute outbreak of typhoid must always be expected from the use of such seriously polluted water.” The Canadian city took steps this year to abate outbreaks of typhoid by installing a water purification system. In the Michigan City Health Officer Griffen sent several samples of city water to the State Board of Heal h and examination, it is stated, showed the water to be pure and safe for use. A Sault Sainte Marie, Mich., newspaper states that figures show the Michigan city typhoid death rate is not excessive. The Commssion’s report gave navigation as the cause of the pollution of St. Mary’s River water and further says that the city took a wise step when the intake pipe was removed from the old ship canal to its present location. “The typhoid fever rate was reduced markedly,” reads the report, “but the rate is still too high in summer and autumn.”