Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-04-05
wells.

1t is fact well understood by those who
are familiar with the subject of drainage. that
surface water and water below the surface of
the ground, readily runs into deep drains or
into deep excavations always seeking the
deepest place in the vicinity. 1t is Il fact fa-
miliar to every farmer that ditch dug through
"a wet piece of ground carries off the water
for considerable distance on either side of
it, and that too, although the land may be
perfectly level ON the surface. In the vicinity
of dwelling house in the country, or wher-
ever wells are used, the deepest place for the
water to drain into is the well. Even though
the well may be sunk deep enough to reach a
subterranean stream of pure water, or n deep
spring, yet it necessarily receives all the wa
ter in its immediate vicinity by drainage, and
the deeper the well the more drainage it ne
cessarily receives. 1t is believed by men
whose opinions are worthy of weight on the
subject, that a well will drain the soil for
radius equal to its depth, but it will probably
in many cases receive drainage from great
err distance, varying of course according to
the nature of the soil. Now it is very easy
for any person to examine the surface and
condition of the soil in the immediate vicini-
ty of his well, and see for himself what is
the character of the matter which is likely to
be carried by drainage into it. Such points
as the following should be carefully consider
ed, to wit l. The general condition of the
surface in the near vicinity of the well as to
cleanliness ID The house slops thrown out
upon the surface within draining distance of
the well. 3. Where does the sink drain empty
with reference to draining distance of the
well 4. What is the location of the prvy
with reference to draining distance of the
well? g. Are there any pig-stys or stables or
barn yards or manure heaps within draining
distance of the well The consequence of
drainage into the well of water contaminated
with these sources of filth is too great to be
disregarded. Many a case of typhoid fever
and other diseases of like character, including
perhaps diphtheria, have been traced direct
ly to drinking water so fouled This is fact
too well established to admit of any doubt.
Often wells with bad surroundings escape Sc
rious contamination for long time in various
ways, and for a greater or less length of time,
according to the nature of the soil and the
depth of the WELL and the deviation OF the
streams of water which feed the well. The
earth is known to be a great disinfectant
and will destroy or take up and hold in some
way foul matter which would otherwise read
lily reach the well, leaving the water which
held it in solution so far purified before it
reaches the well that it causes no perceptble
effect upon the health of persons drinking it,
But it must follow that in the course of time
the soil will become so filed with filth that it
must finally be carried into the WELL especially
in times of heavy rains and when the soil alb
serbs water from melting SHOWS in the sprin,
of the year.
All the above sources of pollution to wells
may be easily avoided The means are OBJ
vious. 1t is a very easy matter to have slops
and sink drainage carried by good drains to a
safe distance. Stables or hog-pens may be
built or removed to a safe distance from the
wells. The privy may be managed with dry
earth used daily and freely, and by frequent
cleaning, and also by providing water-tight
vaults, not too deep, with free use of dry
earth to absorb all liquids. A writer of CON
siderable authority on this subject says: "A
shallow well in sandy soil is far better laid
with brick in cement, than with stone in the
ordinary way We may thus exclude all wa
ter except what passes in at the bottom. COM
pelling all the water to filter through the soil
to the depth of the bottom of the we'll"
Well water is usually the worst when low
est. When the water is low, in the well and
then is rapidly pumped out, all the fluids in
the neighborhood rush in TO supply its place
If, however, the intervening soil is dry
enough to absorb the foul water, the filth
may not reach the well till rain enough falls
to carry it along. We should expect bad wa
ter from such causes in or Just after a drouth
The most common pollution of wells is from
sink-water. A thing so easily managed should
not be neglected, especially when the expense
of proper regulations is cheaper than doctors
bills The labor attending the proper care
necessary for effectually guarding against
these sources of filth and disease is far less
than the labor, care and anxiety of watching
at the sick bed of loved ones stricken down
with that terrible disease, typhoid fever. Ev-
cry man is responsible for the health of his
family so far as it is within his power to pro-
tect it. He who knows danger and guards
not against it, sins wilfully and without rea-
SON