The first rapid sand filter plants constructed for purifying water to be used for domestic purposes were either moderately successful as measured by present ideas of efficient filtration or dismal failures. The method of operating these plants was entirely empirical, which led naturally to many failures, some of which were extremely costly to the promoters of this type of plant. In spite of these reverses, the successes achieved were sufficient to attract the attention of investigators, who attacked the problems involved from a scientific standpoint.
Experiments were carried out by Mr. E. B. Weston at Providence R.I. in 1893-94, which demonstrated the possibility of obtaining fairly satisfactory results in purifying the water of the Pantuxect River by means of a small mechanical filter.
These experiments were not entirely conclusive, and, after a peried of investigation covering about 10 months, were discontinued. The turbid water of the Ohio River offered an excellent opportunity to test the efficiency of mechanical filters, and the importance of establishing their real worth was recognized by Mr. Charles Hermany, chief engineer of the Louisville Water Ca., of Louisville, Ky. By o-operating with the manufacturers of various patented filters, Mr. Hermany established an experimental station at the river pumping station of the Louisville Water Ca. on the bank of the Ohio River. A laboratory was also built and equip-" ped for use in testing the water before and after filtration through the various filters which had been installed. The experimental work lasted over two years between the latter part of 1895 and the middle of 1897.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.