The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-04-10
WATER SUPPLY FALLING OFF.
MEASURES TO BE TAKEN FOR RE-
GAINING THE LOSS.


PIant-The Test shows the Flow of
the wells to he $4,000 Gallons
Per Day Against S.5OO,0OO Gallons
-Four Years AgO-The Decrease
Probably Due TO the CIOgEfng OF
the WeIIs--A Plan Outlined for Get
ting at the Exact Condition of the
Wells and Determining What
Measures, If Any, Are Necessary TO
Increase the supply.
A conference was held upon the subject
of water supply az the city exchange yes
terday afternoon Mayor Meldrim, Chair
man James NJ. Dixon and Mr.. J. II. Fox
of the water commission, Superintendent
H NJ Lotion of the water works. Alder
man T. J. Davis. chairman of the com
mittee on streets and lanes Alderman r.
NJ. Hull, chairman of the fire committee,
Alderman W. w. Owens, chairman of the
public health committee, Alderman John
w. Smith of the water committee, and En-
gineer T. T. Johnston Of Chicago were
present.
The principal business was to consider
the report of Engineer Johnston upon Sa-
vannah's water supply. Mr.. Johnston is
the engineer who planned the water works
and is already well known in Savannah.
He has been engaged in making a careful
Investigation during the last several days
for the purpose of ascertaining to what
cause is due the decreased water supply
at the works, which has been a cause of
considerable concern to all acquainted with
the situation.
In beginning his report, Mr.. Johnston
quoted paragraph in his original report
TO the effect that while certain amount
of work was evidently necessary. it was
not to be understood that more might not
be needed.
Better immediate results" he said,
''were realized than were anticipated, and
the completed work satisfied the
existing requirements then and since.
The several reports made at the time and
subsequently show that it was anticipated
that, as time progressed, a decrease of
flow from the wells might be expected.
The philosophy of the plans was to de-
velope an artesian supply in the most eS-
haustive manner. and there is no reason
to believe after the lapse of six years
that the best plan was not conceived ard
adopted
1T has come to pass that the flow from
the twelve wells bored in 1891 and 1892 has
diminished. The flow was about $4,000
gallons per day. and it is now $4,000
gallons per day. the latter quantity hav-
ing been carefully determined on April d.
Three cause may be cited in explana-
ton of this fact. The water plane near
and in Savannah may have been lowered.
The passa ges through which water finds
its way from the rock into the wells may
have become clogged so as to OBJ
struct the inflow of water. The wells
themselves may have been filled with
sand, or other material, swept into the
wells with the incoming water.
The data for finally determining which
one, or which combination of these causes
is responsible for the diminished flow, are
not at hand, but can be had in due time
Such partial examination has been made
as present resources rendered practicable.
Seven wells were examined on the 18th and
Sth inst. and disclosed the fast that the
wells had not become filled with sand or
other material to any material
extent, not over twelve or four
teen feet of the lower part
of any of the wells having been filled.
The records kept when the wells were
bored showed that no material quantity
of water is received in the wells through
out the lower fifty feet of their depth
fourteen feet cannot be deemed a sufficient
cause for diminished flow. IL Is, of course
possible that some one or more of the re-
naming five wells may be more or less
hlled, 1t is not deemed necessary to ex-
anime them at this time, for reasons that
will appear further on
1T has not been possible at this time
TO examine as to what extent the passag es
leading to the wells may be clogged. butta
plan Tor this purpose has been developed
which may be executed at the proper time
examination as to the state of the water
plane near and in Savannah will be made
as fully as possible in due time 1t does
not seem, however from such inquiry as
could be made, that there is any reaon
10 be apprehensive on this score.
The significance of the diminished flow
trom the wells and the remedy for Il are
the points Of present interest The fact
does not signify that there is any danger
that savannah will lose the artesian
supply. 1t does signify that the well plant
VIII need more care in the future. 1t has
MAD no care al all up to the present time.
and perhaps has not needed any.
II the cause Of the diminished flow is
the lowering of the water plane the ex-
tension OF the conduit and the boring Of
more wells viii be needed to increase the
supply in any degree. If clogglng of the
passages to the wells is the cause then
the now may doubtless be restored TO its
original magnitude by causing reverse
How, in sufficient quantity, in the wells
ana passages for a length of time 70 be
determined by experiment. 1t will take a
little while to make arrangements to do
this 1t Is certain that the possibility Of
increasing the flow In this way should be
tried. then If more water Is desired the
extension OF the conduit and boring of
new wells is needful. AT Memphis, Tenn
the flow into the wells is much obstructed
as time progresses, but the difficulty is
remedied by the means here suggested,
and IL may be that II Will prove effective
at Savannah. If the cause be filing of
the wells with sand or other material, the
remedy is exceedingly simple being sim
ply the cleaning OF the wells 80
For ascertaining the exact flow of the
wells Mr.. Johnston recommends the use
OF current meter such as is now in use
at Memphis, Tenn. by which the flow Of
the wells can be measured at intervals.
as desired. This viii show when a well
is obstructed ana to what extent. After
ascertalning the flow of the wells in their
present condition, Mr.. Johnston recon.
mends thorough cleaning out Of the
wells by methods which he describes and
again testing the flow. by which fnoans