The Mankato free press., 1900-02-23
OPINIONS DIFFER.
How to Repair the Artesian
Wells a Problem.
Information Is Being Sought by the Of
ficiaIs Two Plans Thus Far
Proposed.

tesian wells is giving the officials OF
the city and of the Hubbard Milling
Co. much perplexity, and they are
seeking information wherever pos
sible. The two wells belonging to the
mill began to show falling off in the
flow of water several months ago, and
the loss has been steady ever since,
until now the flow is not much over
half of what it was formerly. If it
was known definitely where the leak
age occurs, the question of repairs
would be greatly simplifed. but un-
fortunately there is no way of knowing
this except by digging down:beside the
piping.
w. G. Banks, of Banks q keenan,,
well makers of Wykoff, Mimi, was in
the city day or two ago and consult
ed with President Porter, of the board
of public works, and Geo. M. Palmer,
of the mill, and also with Alderman
Taylor, in regard to the contemplated
repairs on the artesian wells of the
mill and the city. He believes that
the leakage is not due to corrosion of
the pipes. but to the wearing out of the
rock under the casing, through the
long continued action of the water. He
states that the iron casing seldom be-
comes corroded, and never does
when there is water on the out
side as well as the inside, as he believes
is the.case in this city.
The wells are an eight inch bore to
the first layer of rock, and then a six
inchlbore. Eight inch casing was put
down and driven into the rock. Mr..
Banks believes that this is poor plan,
as the bottom of the casing is apt to be-
come,bent or to not fit tightly. He
believes that'repairs can be made with
out much trouble, and advises that a
six inch pipe be put down inside of the
eight inch casing, to extend well down
through the rock, two hundred feet, if
necessary. He would fasten the lower
end OF the casing TO the rock by a
shoulder.composed of rubber. haxseed
or lead. This would make a sure
thing, as it is possible that leakage
occurs much below the present casing,
through crevices in the rock. 1t would
require not to exceed week to repair
each we'll in this manner. AS to the
expense of making these repairs, Mr..
Banks was unable to say definately, but
was sure that it would not exceed 5000
to $500 for each we'll.
..Windmiller, who has had con-
siderable experience with wells, is of
the opinion that the leakage is due to
corrosion of the iron casing, and sug-
gests different plan from that pro.
posed by Mr.. Banks. He fayors put.
ting down pipe on the outside of the
eight inch casing and fastening it at
the bottom with shoulder. Then the
old pipe could be pulled up. He thinks
that this would effectually stop the
leakage. He has written to a well
known eastern supply house in regard
to the matter.
The'well at the knitting mills was
thoroughly repaired some time ago by
putting.down another pipe and filling
the spacel between the two pipes with
cement. Since then, the re has been no
trouble about leakage.
There are five artesian wells in the
city in all, two owned by the city, two
by the Hubbard Milling Co. and one by
the knitting mill. If any of these
was allowed to leak without any effort
to stop it the effect on the flow on the
other wells would probably be disas-
trous. and for this reason it is to the
interest of all that the wells be taken
care of as fast as they get out of order.
Mr.. Palmer states that the mill COM
pany has had no intention or desire of
going in partnership with the city in
making repairs to the wells, as stated
at the last meeting of the council. 1t
proposes to make its own repairs, and
will do so irrespective of the city. All
that it wants is that the city keep its
own wells in order. If it had wanted
to go in partnership with the city it
would have said SO to the council di-
rectly. -
Both President Porter and Mr.. Pal
mer have written to various parties in
regard to the wells, and are awaiting
replies, Whenever any more wells are
put down in the city. the casing will
not be driven down on to the rock, but
will be put down the well along side of
the rock and fastened to it in such
manner that no more leakages can oc-
cur. In this as in all other matters ,ex-
perience has been a teacher.
Faddoul Kouri and Catherine Isaac
went to Chaska Thursday to appear as
witnesses against Joseph Maroon, and