The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1900-12-04
Once More the Water Question

The artesian we'll being sunk by the
Mount Holly Water Company is still crop
ing downward in an effort to secure good
water for the town, but it's efforts seem to
be useless. In the meantime the town is
drinking the creek water with it's sewage.
For long time the pupils at the public
school have been without drinking water
at the building. There is plenty of water
on the premises. The creek water flows
through the pipes and there is well in
the yard The former cannot be used. by
order of the local Board of Health, while
the well has been abandoned by direction
of the State Board. With the hope that
something might happen, that the artesian
we'll would bring forth good fruits, the
Board of Education has possessed its soul
in patience, but as three months have
passed with solution no nearer than at
the start, action has been taken. At the
meeting of the Board on Wednesday even
ing the following was adopted:
1.-The we'll at the public school of Mount
Holly has been condemned by the State
Board of Health. The water in the creek,
from which the town is supplied, has also
been declared unfit for use both by the
State Board and by the local Board. Con-
sequently the school is without a supply
of drinking water. In a report, dated
September %, 1900, the State Board called
attention to the fact that sewers empty
into the creek, specifying the location of
~ Tn, m NJ \ 1o
Mount Holly Water Company requested
the State Board of Health to notify local
Boards to take action that the pollution
might cease, but at the present time moth
ing has been accomplished and the sewers
are still discharging into the creek, there
fore, be it
ResOE0ed, That the District Clerk COM
municate with the State Board of Health
and insist that action be taken Immediate
ly to have the pollution of Mount Holly's
water supply cease in order that the
pupils of the school may have pure water
for drinking purposes.
The report referred to was that made
after representatives of the State Board
had paid visit to this locality and found
sewers emptying into the creek. They
reported the fact to the Water Company
and among other things suggested that if
the present stream is to be used there
should be an established patrol of the
banks to do away with all contaminations
and sources of danger. The report con-
cludes with these words:
eve draw your attention to these mat
tiers, trusting that you will make an effort
to supply to the citizens of Mount Holly
as pure water supply as possible.
This was perfectly proper and was d.
rected to the correct source The Water
Company, charging good prices for the
article supplied to consumers, should at
least take the trouble to patrol the creek
and see that it is kept free from contami-
nation. But if this has ever been done in
the history of the company it is profound
secret. In reply to the suggestion of the
State Board of Health the Water Com
pany replied very complacently that If
any cause of pollution exists in the stream,
we desire that your Board call attention to
the fact to the local Boards in the town
ships where the trouble exists.
We desire to have everything possible done
to have pure and wholesome supply OF
water"
The patrol has not started. 1t is this part
of.the matter which urged the school board
to action. There must be some relief.
The creek runs through several townships
and if the local boards of health in those
localities are responsible they should act,
and the State Board should urge them to
do their duty, or else take charge of the
matter,