Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-06-17

| The balance of the numerous pipes
| in tie basins are in similar condition.
| Results have also demonstrated that
| the concrete Innings in these basins
| are insufficient. Basin No. 1 had been
repaired before my first visit to the
work and is in comparatively good
condition. In Basin No. ? the con-
crete has been cut in various places
| where it appeared solid and numerous
hollow spots have been found. In
other places the original concrete has
| been cracked and destroyed by heav-
ing and disintegration. Part of the
| sifeswalls have slipped on the bank
| due 70 the fact that no sufficient
| footing course was provided. No
| drainage was provided below the
bottom of the BASIN The concrete
| in this basin is in bad condition and
shows the effects of the action of
frost and the results of poor cement
of unscreened sand. of stone too
large for concrete work, and of poor
Workmanship. Only four
inches of concrete was
specified in the original plans. and
in many places it is less in thickness.
The filter walls as designed are in
sufficient i'm thickneses to stand the
strain to which they Will be subject
cd, and their character is unsuitable
for hydraulic work.
The north filter walls are moving
inward and are in my opinion il n
dangerous condition. All of the
walls will need reinforcemen:s, and
some changes in arrangement will
also be found necessary.
Bottoms of Filters.
The bottom in these filters are con-
structeG of inch concrete work. |
am of the opinion that the bottom
may also be found on dtailed inveS-
tigation to be insufficient and that
it may be necessary tn make them
more secure. 1 am also of the opin-
ion that some work viii be necessary
on the foundatio walls and chambers
of the regulating houses in order t.:
make them safe and water tight.
The reservoir is only fairly begun,
the excavation not having yet been
completed. The general outline of
this Improvement is correct. Similar
improvements are in use with salts
afctory results in numerous cases.
i am unable to express an opinion
at this time as to whether the size of
the settling basin is sufficient to give
he best results or not. This depends
on the character of sediment in the
river water which I have not had OPP
portunity to investigate. The filters
as outlined are sufficient for the pres
emit, but in my opinion the fourth fill
ter will have to be completed in order
to give satisfactory results. I also
believe that these filters should BE-
properly covered or they will not
work satisfactorily during the win
ter.
In regard to the necessary changes
in the plans in order to complete this
work in n safe and durable manner
I assume that you desire to put it
in safe and permanent shape, and SO
arranged that under the ordinary con-
dition of operation it can be used
without danger of further breaks or
of being again thrown out of use
also assume that the character
of the work should be such that
when completed it will not only be
substantial in fact but VIII have n
finished appearance.
TOT InlS reason L nave not tCsSulsi
it advisable to consider. without di-
rect instruction from you, the com
pletion of the work by means which
would give it a patched appearance
but have considered what was neces-
sary to make the work appear when
completed as though the repairs made
were a part of the original design.
| have considered these necessary
repairs in some detail and in so doing
I have found the work already done
in such serious condition that I am
unwilling at this time to submit de-
tailed plans and estimate to You for
the repairs I deem necessary to put
this work in proper shape.
I consider these conditions so ser
ious that in justice to the city of Rock
Island as well as myself I desire to
call in at least two competent engi-
neers to examine this matter with
me in detail in order that the report
when made viii not depend on my
Judgment only but as coming from 4
board of engineers will have the con-
fidence of yourselves and the citizens
of Rock Island.
For this reason ] would advise and
request that the committee b. au-
thoriZed to call in counsel in this
matter. Respectfully submitted,
Daniel w. Mead.
That Throbbipg Headache