These two documents from 1915 show the Department of Health authorizing a bacteriologist to analyze and report on the City's municipal water daily for public health and safety. The seriousness of the problem can be seen from the words "emergency" and “urgency” that appear in the documents below. Based on the poor sanitary conditions at that time, City water was easily contaminated. Drinking contaminated water can spread many diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and polio. Today, we have the Public Utilities Department that constantly filters and purifies our water systems.

• 19151029 Doc94266 Communication of Department of Health Regarding a Resident Bacteriologist to Make Daily Analyses of Water


• 19151101 Doc94285 Communication of Department of Health Regarding Appropriation of Emergency Fund for Bacteriologist’s Salary