The record-union., 1899-10-28
WILL INVESTIGATE WELLS.
Continued from Fourth Page,


as it was at the end of the late dry
season, it will be necessary to exercise
careful judgment regarding the relation
Of the increased flow to the increased
pumping during the test 1t is very
important, therefore, to ascertain the
level of the ground water at the pres
ent time before it has been materially
changed by the rains.
In case it is found that the ground
water supply is insufficient in quantity
to supply all the water needed by the
city, 1t may still be economical to erect
an auxiliary pumping station southeast
Of the city and obtain from this source
as much ground water as is available
Then the investigation should be con-
tinued by aseertaining the cost of
filtering the remainder of the necessary
supply which may be obtained from
the rivers.
If the above test is made with ref
erence to the condition of the dry
weather flow, existing at the end of
the dry season, there is no force to
the objection that subsequently such a
supply may fall off in quantity This
fear might only be entertained if the
American River, for the suspended
matter carried by it might close the
pores. and gradually reduce the flow
through the same. But a natural
ground water flow between the city
and the mountains, and which may be
entirely independent of the flow in the
river, will not be reduced by clogging.
The preliminary examination of taxi
ing the water levels in existing wells
will Indicate, whether much ground
water now flows into the American
River, and thus might not flow to the
pump wells near the city.
If deep cesspools are prohibited by
law or other means of injecting the
ground water supply, there is no prob
ability of future pollution of this
source.
To prevent polluted surface water
from running down the sides of the
tubes through which the water is
pumped, the city should own a strip
of land upon which these tubes are
placed.
Among the Investigations to be made
it might also be we'll to ascertain the
feasibility of getting a supply of clear
and unpolluted mountain water. From
the information I have received it ap-
pears, however, that such a supply
would be more expensive than some Of
the others which have been above dis
cussed.
In providing for a new and better
water supply, and when estimating the
comparative cost of competing projects,
there should be included in those pro-
jects requiring pumping sufficient
pumping machinery, so that one of the
pumps can be out of service at any
time for repairs. To depend upon an
almost continuous working of all Of the
machinery is a risk which large city
should not take.
Whether the water is taken from the
ground or whether it is filtered at the
city, or whether it is brought in con-
duit line from Folsom, it is in every
case advisable, in my opinion, to pro-
vide a clear water reservoir Of suf1-
cient capacity to compensate for the
irregular daily draft or consumption.
During the daytime much more water
is used than at night, and when there
is a fire a sudden demand is made for
a larger quantity. A clear water res
ervoir should hold from one-quarter TO
one-half days supply, and will be Of
more value in or near a city than if 1t
is twenty miles away, because the
variation in the consumption or draft
can be more readily satisfied.
The clear water reservoirs, whether
they contain ground water or filtered
water, should be covered so that the
water is protected from a pollution by
dust or the growth of algae, Civ
ing the water an objectionable taste, a
common occurrence both in ground
waters and in filtered waters.
In conclusion, and in view of what
has been stated above, would recon-
mend to you that:
AS the ground water supply seems to
indicate the availability of enough
water to supply economically at least
portion of the city, test Of the same
should be made at the earliest possible
time. Besides ascertaining the avail
able quantity, there should also be
made a chemical test of it's quality
when the greatest quantity is pumped.
To be in possession of the desired
data, in case it is found necessary to
use river waters, the amount Of sedi-
ment carried in the water during the
winter should be measured as frequent
/ ly as possible, and particularly at such
times when the amount is greatest:
that is, when a high degree of turbidity
! prevails.
After conducting the above tests it
Will be necessary to make surveys and
plans for whatever projects will then
appear to be most economical, and to
make the estimates of cost in such a
manner that not only the first cost but
all the annual expenses incurred are
properly presented. To conduct such
an investigation as above outlined in
an effective and economical manner re-
quires the skill and close attention Of
an experienced and trained engineer.
such as there are several available in
your neighborhood. Very respectfully,
RUDOLPH Herring.
100 William street, New York, N. Y.
/ COMMITTEE AUTHORIZED TO ACT.
| DR.. Power said he thought it of the
greatest Importance that Mr.. Hering's
plans respecting immediate investiga-
tion of the proposed we'll supply should
1 be carried out. He thought, according
to Mr.. Hering's idea, that If it was
! found that the flow was not from the
mountains that the proposition might
! be dropped.
| General Tozer said the proposition
was first to find the level and then
make pumping test
| DR.. Power thought that, going by Mr..
Hering's report, if it was found that
! the source of supply was not from the
! direction of the mountains, there