of water required. An ample supply of water can be obtained from Assawompsett Pond, and this might be conveyed to the existing pumping station, by gravity, by direct pumping, or by pumping through Elder's Pond. It seems probable that the cost of a gravity line would be greater than the cost of pumping, because of the very long distance that a pipe would have to be laid at a great depth below the surface of the ground; and, if pumping is necessary, it is much cheaper to pump into Elder's Pond than to pump directly, because in the former case the pumping can be done at the most convenient times and rates, while in the latter it would be necessary to pump the water about the same rate that it is used in Taunton. There is a further advantage in pumping into Elder's Pond, that the quality of its water is better than that of the other ponds at Lakeville, and other waters pumped through it will be improved, both by mixing with the better water of this pond and by the storage of these waters in it.

The water of Assawompsett pond was analyzed by the Board four times in 1887 and 1888; and the water of the Nemasket River, above Middleborough, and only two and a half miles from the pond, was analyzed monthly for two years, ending in May, 1889. These analyses may be found on pages 172 and 226 of the special report of the Board upon the Examination of Water Supplies, 1890. A sample collected in December, 1891, has also been analyzed. The pollution caused by the small population upon the watershed is so slight that it cannot be detected by chemical analysis. The analyses show that the water is very variable in color, being at times nearly colorless and at other times having a rather high color, and a corresponding amount of organic matter, derived mostly from the swamps situated in various parts of the watershed. The water, if pumped directly from Assawompsett Pond, would be fairly satisfactory for the supply of your city; but it is capable of improvement, and it is probable that it might be improved by intermittent filtration through a sufficient area of gravelly land near the shore of Elder's Pond. This filtration is not an essential feature of the plan; but the Board would strongly advise that you make provision for it upon a limited scale, in the beginning, and, if found satisfactory, that you then arrange to filter all the water pumped into Elder's Pond. The additional annual cost of this filtration, if it should prove efficient, would be very small.

All necessary precautions should be taken to prevent the direct entrance of sewage into Assawompsett Pond, if it is taken as a source of water supply.

The third question submitted has already been answered in replying to the second one

The fourth question, asking whether, under all the circumstances, the Board would recommend some other source of supply for Taunton which does not involve Elder's Pond, cannot be definitely answered at present, because it would require an exhaustive study of the different sources which might be used for the water supply of Taunton, and it has not been feasible to make a study of this kind in the limited time in which you desire a reply. From a knowledge of the requirements of your city, and from a general examination, partly by means of maps, of the possible sources of water supply in the vicinity of Taunton, the Board is not able to suggest any better source of supply than that which you have proposed.

The quantity of water which Assawompsett Pond will furnish is very greatly in excess of any present or probable future requirements of the city of Taunton; and the Board is therefore of opinion that, should you obtain rights to take water from this source, they should not be such as to prevent other cities and towns from taking their proper share of the water in the future.

MILLBURY. An act was passed in 1888 (chapter 404 of that year), authorizing the town of Millbury to introduce a water supply within three years from the passage of the act. This time having expired, a water company was formed which applied to the Board (Dec. 15, 1891) asking its advice as to the propriety of taking the same source as was advised by the Board for the town of Millbury in 1888. The Board replied as follows:

BOSTON, Jan. 6, 1892.

The State Board of Health has received your application, dated Dec. 15, 1891, stating that a water company has been formed which proposes to adopt the same source as was advised for the town by this Board in 1888, and, upon reconsidering the matter, finds no reason to modify the reply as originally made, which is as follows:

"After careful examination of the different sources of water supply for the town of Millbury, excepting that of the Worcester water works, which has been mentioned but is understood to be unavailable, the State Board of Health finds that the site selected for a ground water supply has advantages which make it the most appropriate source for the town.

"Analyses of water from the flowing well showed it to be very soft and of excellent quality.

"The quantity that can be obtained from the immediate locality

of the present well cannot be determined until proved by months of pumping, and other wells may be needed to intercept all of the water that may be required; but the surroundings indicate that a sufficient quantity, for a long time in the future, may be brought to a pumping station in the vicinity of the present well.

"The Board advises that water taken from the ground should, when stored, be in a reservoir from which light is excluded."

WESTMINSTER. A committee of the town of Westminster applied to the Board (December 26) for its advice as to the propriety of taking Meeting-house Pond as a source of supply for the town. The Board replied as follows:

BOSTON, Jan. 6, 1892.

The Board has caused examinations of this pond and an analysis of its water to be made. The pond is favorably situated, both as to the character of its shores and the natural character of its watershed, for furnishing an excellent quality of water. The population on the watershed is larger than is desirable, but a chemical and microscopical examination of the water shows that it is still of excellent quality.

The Board is therefore of opinion that this source is an appropriate one for supplying the town of Westminster. The quantity of water which this pond will furnish is very much in excess of the requirements of your town, and the pond is so located that it is also an appropriate source of supply for the city of Fitchburg; so that, while the Board is of opinion that the town of Westminster should have the right to take as much water as it needs from this source, it is also of opinion that the rights obtained by you should not be such as to prevent the city of Fitchburg from obtaining the right to use so much of the water as is not required by your town.

SEWERAGE AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL.

The following summary comprises the action of the Board relative to systems of sewerage and sewage disposal, in reply to such applications as have been received during the year:

BEVERLY. An application was received (Oct. 2, 1890) from the selectmen of Beverly, requesting the advice of the Board relative to a system of sewage disposal having out

lets into the sea at several points along the shore. A public hearing was granted to all parties interested, on December 2, and was continued on Jan. 6, 1891. At the former hearing, and during the interval, considerable opposition being made to the outlets in the eastern part of the town, that portion of the plan having two outlets in the east part of the town was withdrawn by the selectmen, and the Board was requested to approve the remaining outlets. The Board replied as follows:

The State Board of Health has considered the application of the selectmen of Beverly, as modified at the second hearing given at the State House on Jan. 6, 1891.

The request for advice, as it then stood, was solely in regard to the disposal of the sewage of portions of the town at three points, the largest quantity to be discharged at or near Tuck's point, and small quantities to be discharged below low water at outfalls. marked 2 and 3 upon the plan presented.

The Board regards the outlets marked 2 and 3 on the plan, if extended so as to be covered at the lowest water, as suitable for the sections of the town to be drained by them.

The outlet No. 1 should, in the judgment of the Board, be changed by carrying it beyond low-water mark so that it will be always covered, opposite the point where the main sewer first reaches the shore near the Queen Hotel.

PITTSFIELD. The city of Pittsfield, acting under the provisions of chapter 375 of the Acts of 1888, presented a plan of sewers to the State Board of Health in 1890, providing for collecting the sewage at a point near the confluence of the east and west branches of the Housatonic River, but without indicating definitely the method of disposal. The Board finally approved the main features of the plan, May 12, 1890. Subsequently the city was authorized, by chapter 357 of the Acts of 1890, to build a system of sewerage and sewage disposal, subject to the approval of the State Board of Health. Under the provisions of this act the city again applied to the Board (March 20, 1891), presenting a plan of sewerage and sewage disposal, and stating their intention to build portions of said general plan, with a temporary outlet into the Housatonic River, at such a point, between the junction of the trunk sewers on the west bank

of the east branch of the Housatonic River, as shown in said plan, and the junction of the east and west branches of the river, as may seem desirable. The city of Pittsfield hereby asks advice as to the place where a temporary outlet may be made into the river." After some modifications the plan was finally presented to the Board for its approval May 11, 1891, and the Board replied as follows:

BOSTON, May 12, 1891.

The general plan for a system of sewerage and sewage disposal for the city of Pittsfield, as modified, and finally presented by your commission on May 11, 1891, under the authority of chapter 357 of the Acts of 1890, is hereby approved by the State Board of Health.

This plan provides for the permanent disposition of the sewage by intermittent filtration through the areas of upland indicated, and allows the temporary discharge of the sewage into the river at a given point, during the construction of the works; but such discharge is not to continue after June 1, 1900.

FAIRHAVEN. The selectmen of Fairhaven applied to the Board for its advice (April 11) relative to a plan of sewerage for certain public buildings and a limited part of that town, with an outlet into the Acushnet River. The Board replied as follows:

BOSTON, May 5, 1891.

The plan submitted for the disposal of the sewage of the Rogers school, the proposed town hall and public library, and a limited. portion of said town, by means of a sewer discharging into the Acushnet River at the end of Union wharf, meets with the approval of the Board.

BROOKFIELD. The selectmen of Brookfield applied to the Board (May 30) for its advice relative to a proposed plan of sewerage and sewage disposal for the village of Brookfield. To this application the Board replied as follows:

BOSTON, July 8, 1891.

The State Board of Health has considered your application, dated May 30, 1891, for advice with regard to a proposed plan of sewerage for the village of Brookfield, intended to provide at present for the storm water from the central portion of the village and the wastes from the shoe factory, and ultimately to provide for the sewerage of a large part of the village.