The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-03-22
THE WATER SUPPLY.
Interesting Talk by Superintendent
Cannon-We Should Spend $1,000
IN the Plant.

on the Plant.
Editor Press and Banner:
Several articles in late Issues OF your paper
seeking light as to the management OF the
water works require answering. In answer
to questions from the gentleman who 10 q
"buyer of the water which Is presumably
taken from the depths OF the deep we'll" VIII
say that we commenced the use OF lne We, weii
water about November 1st, 1897. and from that
time until about October 1st, 1888, no branch
water was used. About that date we were
unfortunate enough to drop the plunger IN
the we'll and turned In the water rom tne ,s
we could clear the we'll, and at Intervals from
Nov. LIST, to Dec. 10th, we turned the branch
water in several times as the sand rom the
branch had cut the brass liners OF the large
pump and we bad considerable trouble and
delays In getting things In good running Or
der, but since Dec. 10th no branch water has
been used.
from the well having fever, would say to the
gentleman who is "a buyer OF the water"
that some we'll informed persons thlnk there
are other causes for fever besides drin King
Impure water, but admitting for the sake OF
will call at the Office Of the Superintendent OF
the Water Works. I will give him the names ing
OF ten or twelve cases Of fever Of persons who
we we have M ten to one In favor OF the city water,
which we think Is good record. and tf am
correctly informed the lady IN question mas
only been In the city for short time and
may have contracted the fever elsewhere. for
the fact that at least twenty families use this
water alone, and have no other, goes to snow
there is no cause for fever In the water, wnlch
is furnished 70 over one hundred subscribers
and only one case can he cited ana that OF q
visitor In the city.
Now, Mr.. Editor, there is nothing to con-
ceal or cover up in the management OF the
water works and parties seeking inform alton
can always get 1t from the superintendent or
either of the commissioners. and, that, too,
without going In to the newspapers, as we are
always ready 10 answer any questions or give
any Information wanted.
Now, as to the suggestion of your CORES.
pondent "Disinterested," about allowing the
water TO flow into the reservoir by lowering
the pipe, would say we Investigated that plan
a year ago, but from tests made and upon the
advice Of Mr.. Minshall, our engineer, we
abandoned 1t as impracticable.
The city will soon have TO meet the ques'
tion Of q greater water supply, and there are
two practical plans, one OF which is to place
an air compressor In the deep we'll In place OF
the present deep we'll pump, as we can not get
q pump OF larger capacity than the one In
use. With this air compressor we would get
the full capacity Of the we'll.
the well to where the TGsten branch empties
into the Blue Hill branch as all the water
above this point is furnished by four springs
S done at cost s % Of not over s Three hundGed dol
lars and would furnish an abundant supply
OF pure water though It would not be clear
during rainy weather. but the we'll water
could be used at these times, and not only In.
crease the water supply but greatly decrease
the cost Of running the plant. The cost Of
the air compressor would be about one thou.
sand dollars. The com missioners have no au.
thority to increase the plant beyond the
amount Of money voted for the construction
or TO run the city In debt for these Improve.
ments, SO the city council will have to pro-
vide this fund or else the taxpayers will have
| 10 vote 1t before anything can be done.
r. w. Cannon, Superintendent.