Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-11-04

A Correspondent Presents Some Views
Upon the Matter.

n
Upon the Matter.
10 the EDITOR ofths Register:
SIR:--While this subject has often
been discussed in a light manner In the
Neaps, yet there has never been any
definite plan proposed by which the
people of Wheeling could cease taking
into their systems the germs Of typhoid
fever with every quenching OF the
thirst.
Wheeling Is growing town and
destined to be great city, but while
the present plague lasts it's growth VIII
always be retarded, in spite OF nun
dreds of thousands OF dollars that are
being spent for bridges, buildings, &C.,
mere superficial Improvements.
The system which | propose anu
which, after exhausting all other pos
sible plans, is that Of natural filtration
of the river water.
By the inherent situation OF rivers
occupying the lowest portion OF their
valleys, they must receive the water
flowing from their adjoining banks, ana
receive this water laterally by reason OF
the difference in level between the water
surfaces, or from their bottom by means
of piezometric force. Consequently all
/ filters, whether built on an artinclal
island or on the river bank, are suoJec1-
ed to receive water other than tnat
which comes from the river proper. by
the river nroper is meant the water OF
/ the upper strata of the river that mas
been sufficiently exposed TO the lnnu-
ence OF oxygen to at least reduce III
/ volume the organic matter held In sus-
pension.
The water in the river should be con-
! sidered as arranged in two superlmposeu
layers; the upper stratum being lormeu
by water coming from points more eie'
waited than the river itself, the lower
coming from subterranean sources ana
liable TO pollution.
Herein lies the failure OF the welis
that were built here as an experlmen'
sometime ago. 1 propose system ~ !
which the following conditions shouiu
be considered, namely:
Stopping off from the hlterlng reSer'
voir all neighboring suoserranean
streams, stopping off the lower strata OF
the river water, having the mass Oh
6lteripg sand homogeneous aud so ar,
ranged that it could easily be discharged
and fresh sand replaced, to prevent
clogging, the worst feature OF nltera
ton. A.
To obtain these results, l proproSe the
following apparatus to- be built at the
head of Wheeling Island.
First dredge the river bed to nru
foundation, then build q circular well
20 feet i'm diameter, with a well-oull'
wall. the height of which would De
few feet above extreme high water
In this well build another smaller wei
or more than one il necessary, to ot
the reservoir proper and from whlct
the filtered water would be pumped &c
the reservoir on. Wheeling hill. The
snace between the inner and outer
walls TO be filled with sand
The outer wall will have opening
through which the water will pass u
the sand, no opening to be more than
few feet below extreme low water, thu
ALWAYS lnsuring the use Of the uppe
strata. The inner well will have open
jnps for a height of 33 feet from tn
bottom. through which the filtered
water will pass. This is known as TN
sLeport System of Filtration" and l
in active and satisfactory operation
the town of Nantes, on the Laire river
ia France. The results in this syster
as there in operation were as follows:
In thin layers the water showed n
was absolutely limpid, transparent, an
of an agreeable taste, and with no odol
The physical properties as compare
with the water Of the river we're:
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.