PUBLIC AND PRIVATE WATER SYSTEMS SHOULD NOT CONNECT, SAY OFFICIALS

PUBLIC AND PRIVATE WATER SYSTEMS SHOULD NOT CONNECT, SAY OFFICIALS

This Question and Several Others Discussed at the Annual Convention of the North Carolina Section at New Bern—Large Attendance

THE annual convention of the North Carolina Section of the American Water Works Association which, as described in a previous issue of FIRE AND WATER ENGINEERING, took place on November 13 to 15 at New Bern, N. C., was signalized by lively discussions on many important water works topics. One of these was on the question of Cross Connections Between Public and Private Water Supplies led by a paper read by McKean Maffitt, of Wilmington, N. C. Accompanying his paper Mr. Maffitt introduced a resolution to the effect that “There shall be no physical connection between the public water supply system and any private water supply system wherein it is possible to get contaminated water into the public water supply.” Mr. McConnell in discusing this paper said that one cross connection can undo all that the best purification plant had done; that it is illogical to exercize extreme vigilance in plant and let industrial or fire supply pollute the system. Mr. Norcom said that cross connection was an insidious thing, unknown by consumers; if they knew they would rebel against it. Mr. Maffitt said that the New Hanover board of health recently prohibited cross connections. Mr. Diven said that a resolution similar to Mr. Maffitt’s had been passed by the National Convention; that the matter could be handled by a board of health, by statute or force. It requires force. He said that careless tapping of polluted supply in a New England mill where there were two independent supplies caused epidemic. Mr. Miller said that the state board of health must have the power of public opinion, therefore the resolution is of great assistance. Mr. Miller then gave a paper on the Objective, Policy and Procedure of the State Board of Health in Relation to Water Supply.