The Probable Formation of Phenolic Compounds by a Chlorinated Water in Contact with a Coal Tar Paint

Abstract

Hyattsville, Maryland, a suburb town near Washington, D. C, obtains its water supply from the northwest branch of the Anacostia River. Its water system is one of several in Maryland which are owned and operated by the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, an incorporated body, created by an act of the Maryland Legislature in 1918, to provide comprehensive water supply and sewerage facilities in the rapidly growing suburban towns contiguous to the District of Columbia, and within the limits of the State of Maryland. The water supply for Hyattsville, until October, 1920, was obtained from seven driven wells. As the supply was inadequate, the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, after taking control of the system in January, 1920, immediately began work on 1,000,000gallon rapid sand filtration plant, designed to serve the requirements of the immediate vicinity pending the construction of adequate works for the whole District. The plant was put into operation in October, 1921. The water treated at this plant is low in alkalinity and alum and soda ash are used in the treatment. The filtered water passes into a 100,000-gallon concrete reservoir which is built directly under the filtration plant, and is treated with liquid chlorine before leaving the plant. The chlorine is applied on the suction side of the high lift pumps, which force the water from the filtration plant into the distribution system and a 100,000-gallon elevated steel tank. During the early spring of 1921, it became necessary to clean and paint the tank. Under the control of the Hyattsville town authorities the tank had been given no attention, with the result that the plates had scaled badly. Although the tank was known to be in poor condition when the Commission assumed control of the water