The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-06-14
THE WATER WORKS PLAN
RELIEF FROM THE USE OF RIVER
WATER THE FIRST STEP.

Putting Down the Wells to be Called
For at Once-Alderman Carson's and
superintendent Manning's Views on
the Water Question.
Alderman Carson, author Of the resolu-
ton adopted by the city council Wednesday
authorizing the committee on water to put
down two wells at the present water works
grounds, and for the construction of a new
plant at the Springfield plantation. takes
strong issue with some suggestions made IA
an article in the MORNING NEWS Of yester-
day on The Water Supply Question and
to reporter yesterday he discussed the
questions in the article in concise manner
Alderman Carson says that to cut of the
casing of the present wells, TO construct a
cistern, to construct a conduit to convey
the water to the cistern, and make the nee
essary alterations and connections would
cost $50, 000 and the work could not be
completed before Jan. l, 1891, up to which
time the mixture of river water would have
TO be furnished. For these reasons the
committee and the council decided it best
to give as early relief as possible, and
hence the putting down OF two wells was
authorized, which Alderman Carson says
can be done in comparatively short time,
say about two months, and at cost OF
about 200.
PUSHING THE PUMPS.
Alderman Carson says that the i'm
portant fact must not be overlooked
that as much water is being forced through
the main as can be, and more than is con-
sistent with safe engineering. Any further
pressure on the main would be dangerous,
and the pump is being worked beyond its
registered capacity.
ut would be folly" said Alderman Car
son Ito spend any more money on the
present works than is absolutely necessary.
If there were no other reason, the exposed
condition of the main leading from the
works to the city, a condition of affairs due
to the short-sightedness of a former council,
would be sufficient one"
Alderman Carson says 1t is not safe to
say that the actual cost of the new plant
will be much greater than his estimate, or
that it will be any greater. On the con-
trary, he says, "the estimates were not
guess work, but were founded on figures
given by the ciTy engineer and superintend-
emit Of water works, the figures given for
pumping engines, boilers, mains and stand
pipe being close estimates and based on in
formal proposals to furnish the same"
COST OF THE NEW PLANT.
Referring to the inference that the ex-
penditure for the new plant would ''make
it virtually impossible for several years TO
do any other public work in behalf of the
city, Alderman Carson says: "The new
plant will involve only a cash expenditure of
$4,000, and the balance of the payments
can be run over a period Of four or five
years. There will be no need to stop other
improvements" Alderman Carson added
in conclusion, "as there is money
enough now on hand, over and above APP
preparations made. to meet all demands for
awhile. There is $4,000 on hand received
hal nf
rent lots, which is nucleus for the expense
of constructing the new water works plant,
the necessity of which is now confessed,
and the growing necessity of which will be
made apparent with the increasing demand
for water which the pump and the main of
the present works cannot supply.n
The project of removing the small pump
to the site of the well on the Springfield plan
tation, Alderman Carson says, is not prac-
tlcable. 1t would involve an expense for
boilers, mains, attachments and buildings
and would be only temporary, and in case
of accident to the other pump no more
water could be furnished than if it were at
the present works.
THE CIsTERN PLAN.
Alderman Carson was asked if the
water could not be taken from an
excavated cistern of moderate depth
and not finished in masonry, and
he replied in the negative. The pumps
would take more sand and foreign matter
than they take from the wells, and such
proposition should not be considered for a
moment.
Supt. James Manning expressed views on
the plans adopted by council in harmony
with those of Alderman Carson. Supt.
Manning said the plans adopted by council
are the most feasible that could have been
adopted, and bids for boring two or more
wells will be advertised for at once
and Mr.. Joyce, who put down the
well on the Springfield plantation, will be
here next Tuesday to bid on the work. If
the two wells, driven in a northerly and
southerly direction, do not supply enough
water to take the place of the river water
now furnished, a third will be put down.
The two wells, Supt. Manning says. he
thinks can be bored and attached to the
main works within two months, before de-
caying vegetation begins to affect the water
of the river.
With reference to the new plant. Supt
Manning says the wells will first be put
down and the fact clearly established that
the supply OF water is ample before enter
ing into contracts for machinery, mains.
buildings and other adjuncts to the plant.
Ihat there Will be an abundance of water
found, and of unfailing supply, Supt. Man
ming entertains no doubt, and he saws as
long as the Appalachian range stands the
water through subterranean veins will con-
tinue its tireless flow to the sea. and he
cited an artesian well at Lilliers. Pas-de-
Calais, France, bored A. d. 1926, which is
still flowing.
NEW WORKS A NECESSITY.
Supt. Manning says the city must
have a new plant. The present works
are now being operated to their fullest ten
sion. The danger grows with the pressure
pumps and mains are being subjected TO-
No greater volume of water is desired at the
present plant than is now being used. Only
an additional supply of artesian water is
desired, so the use of river water can be
abandoned. To get this additional supply
1t would be unwise to exDend large
sums of money TO construct a
conduit and basin at tie present
works. No basin, Supt. Manning says,
would be practicable that is not one with ar
tifcial sides and bottom, as the pumps
would take more sand than they do from
sno wells. The construction of basin, or
clstern, involves large expense Excava-
zion as deep as twenty-five feet in some
places would be necessary, and as quick
sand is met with piles might have to be
driven to secure solid foundation, and all
this expense and delay would bring no prac-
teal benefits, as the present main and pump
can supply no more water than at present
THE CONDUIT PLAN