Sanitary Engineer Says Chlorination of Water Not Harmful Lynn M. Thatcher, sanitary engineer en-gineer for the State Board of Health, recently visited St. George and at that time was told the many complaints and the fear that St. George citizens had that continued chlorination of city's drinking water would cause sickness. Mr. Thatcher is thoroughly familiar with the situation sit-uation that surrounds this communities' com-munities' water supply and the following letter to Mayor Woodbury Wood-bury is self-explanitory. August 16, 19 3 5 Hon. John T. Woodbury, Mayor, St. George, Utah. Dear Sir:- In compliance with your recent re-cent request, we are submitting the following statement for the information of residents of St. George and other "persons concerned. con-cerned. This may be used for publication if so desired. Chlorination of the St. George-water George-water system was instituted as a precautionary measure to protect pro-tect people who use this water from the various filth-borne diseases. dis-eases. Both sanitary surverys and bacteriological analysis had indicated that the water was subject sub-ject to dangerous contamination, and therefore in need of treatment. treat-ment. I Unfortunately there ha.s been much adverse criticism concerning concern-ing the treatment of the water by persons not understanding the need for and the results of such treatment. Contrary to the belief of many pensons, chlorinated water is not harmful to the human body, even though it may be present in sufficient suf-ficient concentration to cause distinct dis-tinct odor and taste, or even sufficient suf-ficient to kill gold fish. Chlorination Chlor-ination is the only present known method which will adequately, simply and cheaply kill disease organisms in water. Without a chlorination plant on tho water supply, residents of St. George would be in danger of contracting contract-ing such diseases as typhoid fever fev-er and dysentery. As long as the water is adequately treated with chlorine, there is no danger of such an occurrance. The water supply of St. George must be chlorinated in order to receive favorable certification of this department. Very truly yours, Utah State Board of Health. Lynn M. Thatcher, LMT:V Sanitary Engineer.