Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-05-07

rapidly remove the garbage and slops as
they accumulate. 1t was found neces-
sary to make rather extensive repairs to
the garbage boxes both at the beginning
of last season and preparatory to this
have investigated the use of iron tanks to
! replace the present wooden boxes, but
find that they are not considered a sue
cess where they have been used as the
acids of fermentation in the Stops rusts
and corrodes the iron wearing them out in
a very short time.
DUMP BOAT.
As | reported to the council last fall,
it was found when tie dump boat was
put upon the ways at the close of the
season that extensive repairs were needed
upon it in order to preserve it in proper
condition for use. / was authorized by
the council at that time to have the re-
pairs recommended made; this has been
done, though the expense for the work
has considerably exceeded the estimate of
cost made by the ship builders at that
time. The boat now. however, is in ex>
ceedingly good condition and should not
entail any expense for repairs for
several years to come. With the
consent of the mayor. J have located it
for the present between Sixteenth and
Seventeenth streets, location which will
enable the city TO use it TO the most eco
nomical advantage and to the best inter-
ests of the purpose for which it is intend
ed. feel sure that it can be maintained
there in such condition that it need not
prove unpleasant or injurious to anyone.
WATER.
In the water obtained from our city
system of waterwOrks, | am well satisfied
the people of the city may obtain the
most potable and least dangerous that is
available at the present time. The water
as delivered to consumers is reasonably
pure water and far superior to that Oh.
tanned in most cities throughout the
country. The construction of reservoir
would undoubtedly improve it in many
respects. / am firmly convinced that
large proportion of the disease occurring
IN the city arises solely from the use of
water obtained from wells contaminated
by impure matter from privy vaults, cess
pools, house drains, stables and other
surface drainage.
There is widespread belief that water
becomes purified by filtration through the
soil. This is true, but only to a limited
extent. The soil becomes very rapidly
saturated with material of dangerous
character to have in our drinking water.
and when this occurs with the absence of
the oxygenating power of the air and
sun, the water passing through it to sup
ply our wells is constantly carrying with
1t impure matter which surely endangers
the health of those who use it. Such is
undoubtedly the condition of thc soil
throughout large part of this city. and
just as certainly is the water of the wells
contaminated by its condition. | there's
fore deem it the policy best TO be pursued
that the city should extend its water ser,
vice to all points as rapidly as possible
and make its use popular with the people
by all r-eans within its power.
SEWERS.
l would most earnestly recommend tina;
the extension of the sewer system
throughout the city be pushed as rapidly
as circumstances will permit. The privy
vault system of disposing of animal ex-
cremcnt as it has been allowed in the
past and is pursued at the present time in
this city,is nuisance to the senses and
constant menace to the health of the
people. Some means should he provided
for the prompt removal from populous
locality, of human cxcrement and ANNA!
waste, and in the present light of santa
~ science, well constructed and properly
regulated sewer systems seem the best
means to accomplish the purpose de-
sired
| submit the following
ESTIMATE OF EXPENSES
for the department for the wear beginning