ng, place the
matter in experienced hands, or at least seek the advice of competent
engineers, and adopt their suggestions and recommendations as a guide.

_Points to be Borne in Mind_

Many are the points to be borne in mind in the search for water.
Science teaches us that all water comes from the clouds, the
atmospheric precipitation being in the form of either rain, or dew, or
snow. After reaching the earth's surface, the water takes three
different courses, and these are mentioned here because they serve to
explain the different sources of supply and their varied character.

A part of the water runs off on the surface, forming brooks, streams,
and lakes, and if it falls on roofs of houses or on prepared catchment
areas, it can be collected in cisterns or tanks as rain water. Another
part of the water soaks away into pervious strata of the subsoil, and
constitutes underground water, which becomes available for supply
either in springs or in wells. A third part is either absorbed by
plants or else evaporated.

In our search for a source of supply, we should always bear in mind
the essential requirements of the problem. Briefly stated, these are:
the wholesomeness of the water, the adequateness and steadiness of the
supply, its availability under a sufficient pressure, insuring a good
flow, and the legal restrictions with which many water-supply problems
are surrounded.

The first essential requirement is that of _wholesomeness_. The
quality of a water supply is dependent upon physical properties and
upon chemical and bacteriological characteristics. Water, to be
suitable for drinking, must be neither too hard nor too soft; it
should not contain too many suspended impurities, nor too much foreign
matter in solution. Pure water is colorless and without odor. But it
must be understood that the quality cannot be decided merely by the
color, appearance, taste, and odor. The chemical and bacteriological
examinations, if taken together, form a much safer guide, and with
these analyses should go hand in hand a detailed survey of the water
source and its surroundings.

_Relation of Water to Health_

Any pronounced taste in the water renders it suspicious; an offensive
smell points to organic contamination; turbidity indicates presence of
suspended impurities, which may be either mineral or organic. But even
bright and sparkling waters having a very good taste are sometimes
found to be highly polluted. Hence, it sh