The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-07-10
THE CITY'S BAD WELLS.
THE COUNCIL CONSIDERING THEIR
ABANDONMENT

The Georgia Medical Society Prepar-
ing Report Upon Well Water-The
Council in Favor of Doing Away
With the Wells but VIII Await tho
Medical society's Report Nothing
Likely to be Done This Season.
1t is not probable that there will be an
abandonment of the surface wells IN the
CITY. where artesian water can be supplied
this season. Health Officer Drummer has
reported unfavoraDy upon them and tue
last city court grand jury recommended
that the wells be abau Toned, on account Of
the uusanitary condition If the waters 1t
is claimed that much of the illness among
children is occasi0ned by the use of
the well water by children at play or
under the care of nurses in the squares,
where the wells are principally located, and
that the use of the water by the cOlored
people accounts for greater part of their
ills.
Not long since, Alderman Thomas recog-
nizing the sanitary demand for the aban-
donment Of the surface wells, introduced
the following resO utlou in the council;
Resolred That the committee on water be
requested to consider and report as TO the de
STABILITY OF disseminating the use Of the various
pumps ID such portions OF the city as are sup
piled with artesian water.
The res luton was referred to the water
commlttee, composed of Aldermen Wells,
Meyers aad Nichols. They held that tine
matter should as properly come before the
health asd cemetery committee, which at
that time co. sisted OF Aldermen Duncan,
Reid and Schwarz,
REFErRED 10 THE MEDICAL COMMITTEE.
The suggestion of the water committee
was adopted and the health committee was
added The matter was brought % the at
tention OF the sanitary board, and the
health officer was instructed 10 communicate
with the Georgia medical society and ask
that body To report what in its judgment
should be done. The report, IT Is expected,
will deal with the condition Of the water in
the wells and their recommendation has
been awaited with interest
DR. Drummer officially communicated the
request OF the sanitary board to the medical
society on June H. but he said last night
that no report had vet been received from
the society. He hal learned from Dr.
Dunn, secretary of the society, that the
matter had been presented for considera-
ton and had been referred to special COM
mittee, but beyond that he was unable to
give any information.
Alderman Nell, chairman of the drainage
committee, in an interview with a MORN
ING NEWS reporter yesterday said that
from conversation with physicians he is
satisfied that the use Of the artesian water
has had a great deal to do with tie bealth-
fulneSS of the city.
IN FAVOR OF DOING AWAY WITH TIRE WELLS.
Alderman Myers, Of the water committee,
was also seen. He favors the abandonment
OF the surface wells IL the report should
show that the water is not suited for drink
ing and cooling purposes 1t is his opinion,
however, that nothing can be done this
season looking To their abandonment, as
public hydranis would have to be provided
TO take the Place Of the wells, aud no street
excavations can To made for that purpose
until the summer has passed
OF course much will depend on the report
of the committee Of the Georgia medical
society. Ii the report should shox that i'm
mediate action is nece -sary, temporary ar
rangements, it Is believed, viii be made to
supply i'll some way the territory now sup
piled by the surface wells and the pumps
will be removed at once. Otherwise, the
change, if one is recommended will have
10 " ait until the time fixed by the ordinance
expires, so that street excavation may begin