Mr. Gardner. The commission would be glad to hear from the chairman of the water commission.
STATEMENT OF MR. W. H. KYLE, CHAIRMAN OF THE PUBLIC
UTILITIES COMMISSION OF BROCKVILLE, ONTARIO.
Mr. Kyle. Mr. Chairman and gentlemen: We had tests made of the water above the town, away above any contamination from our sewage, and I believe to-day if we could get pure water above Brockville we could put a pumping plant up there.
Mr. Magrath. And treat your sewage so as to leave the people below you in the same position?
Mr. Kyle. We are in the position that we take that as an international question, and there would be no use of their treating it unless it is made general. The water is polluted also from the big insane asylum there. That will have to be taken into consideration when the question of the town of Brockville is considered.
Mr. Gardner. Where is that located, in reference to your city?
Mr. Kyle. It is about a mile below our city. I believe we can not get any pure water in the river at the present time and that we shall have to treat our sewage and also put in a filtration plant. I believe that the trouble in our water is caused by shipping. I remember passing one of those big liners in a motor boat one day. I do not know what sort of an apparatus they had, but they dumped the material, and everybody immediately grabbed their handkerchiefs and held their noses until they got by. I believe that has a great deal to do with the contamination of the water. Many of the summer residents also wrap their garbage in paper and throw it in the river.
Mr. Gardner. That is increasing in amount?
Mr. Kyle. Every year.
Mr. Mignault. Have you any idea as to the summer population above Brockville?