Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-08-05
The We'll water Question Again.

The Well Water Question Again.
We have received quite large number
Of communications on the well water
question. We have published some Of
them and probably shall publish others.
We cannot, however, publish all of them,
because we haven't room. Some Of them,
doubtless, were not intended for publica-
ton. They are simply protests against
further agitation of the water question.
Their authors are satisfied with the present
condition Of affairs. Their argument is
that they have used the water from the
pump in their neighbOrhoOd for twenty
years or more, and they are fat and
hearty. They don't want the wells closed.
Because a person thinks the water that
he has been using is wholesome, it doesn't
follow that it is wholesome, and the fact
that 1t hasn't made him sick isn't cOnclu-
sive proof that it hasn't made other peo-
pie sick.
1t is agreed that if water contains ex-
crementitiOus matter in recognizable
quantities it is unwhOlesOme. Let those
who think that the well water they use is
pure have it analysed. If the analysis
doesn't show that it is contaminated by
the percOIatiOns from the vaults TO very
marked degree they will be justified in
protesting against closing that particu-
lar well. But if it is shown that it
is contaminated, do they still propose
to insist on allowing the people of the
neighborhOod to use it? Because they
are strong and able to resist the effects OF
the poison are they willing that those who
are not shall have their health, and per-
/ haps, their lives impeTiled! In discus
| sing so important a matter as this water
/ question we ought to be careful that we
are not Influenced by pure selfshness.
/ The washerwomen want TO know what
| they are going to do for clear water for
/ washing purposes if the wells are closed.
! They need not be alarmed. The Council,
who are very exacting respecting the
whiteness Of their linen, will take care of
their interests. There are inexpensive
WAYS Of clearing the river water in small
quantities of silt, and, doubtless, MIGRANTS
will be established in localities as cOnve-
nient as the pumps now are.
4 correspondent advises that driven
wells be sunk. The suggestion is good
one, if it can be established that such
wells will furnish pure water, and the
only way to establish that is by actual
| experiment. 1t would not cost great
deal to sink an artesian well go or 100
feet, or below the stratum Of rock Of
which the correspondent speaks.
OF course nothing ought to be done has
tiIy and unadvisedly in dealing with this
water and vault question. 1t involves
great changes and the expenditure of con-
siderable money. The thing 10 be guarded
against is that the old fOgy sentiment shall
not get the upper hand and prevent any
thing from being done. 1t is astonishing
how many people there are who would
rather take their chances Of retaining their
health with well water and the present
vault system than sanction any reform
that would require them to put their
hands in their pockets!
1.-THE Council mean to do anything they
ought to begin at once. The longer they
delay the less inclined will they be to act.
Let them Immediately decide what ought
to be done, and then begin work in a sys-
tematic and determined sort of way.