https://doi.org/10.15255/KUI.2006.031
Published: Kem. Ind. 57 (3) (2008) 109–114
Paper reference number: KUI-31/2006
Paper type: Professional paper / History of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
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The First Water Analyses from Zvir Spring in Rijeka. A Contribution to the History of Chemistry in Rijeka – Part II

A. Alebić-Juretić

Abstract

Although the territory of the Old Town of Rijeka is characterized by an abundance of water, the living conditions in this medieval town were threatening to public health. There was also a cemetery between the city walls, next to St. Mary‘s Church. Subsequent to the cholera outbreak in 1873, the municipal physician advised to abandon the use of water from the wells in possession of the cemetery. Therefore, the Municipality ordered the chemical analyses of water from Josef Koettstorfer, the professor of chemistry at the I&R. Naval Academy. During the spring of 1874, the first chemical analyses were done on the waters from the springs Mustaccione and Sasso Bianco, and in the autumn the analyses were extended to springs Lešnjak and Zvir. The results from the latter analyses led to the conclusion that all waters were suitable as potable waters, although those from Lešnjak and Zvir were somewhat better. Waters from the Mustaccione spring were also good, and were already used for ship supply since 1873. Due to the rapid development of the harbour and the city itself, there was an urgent need to build up a new water supply system. Therefore, on 5th Oct 1886, the Municipality decided to order analyses of water from the Zvir spring. The analyses were carrier out from Dec 1886 to Nov 1887 by Prof. Koettstorfer. He used the most advanced methods at that time for chemical analyses, and therefore the results are comparable to current ones. Moreover, for the first time, the analyses of water also comprised bacteriological determination, as suggested by Dr. Koch on the World Hygienic Congress that was held at the end of 1885 in Berlin. The results of water analyses were the basis for the construction of the water supply system in the city that was exploited from 1894 to 1999.

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Keywords

history of chemistry, I. & R. Naval Academy, Josef Koettstorfer, potable water analyses