Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1900-05-03
City Water.


situation is about this: Years ago
when the plant was put in, it was the
hope of the friends of a public water
supply that water sufficient for rail-
road and city uses could be obtained
from wells. A pump house and wells
were put in east of the city, and
pipes, etc., put down at an expense of
about $4,000 At that time lndica-
tons pointed to good supply. In a
year or two big we'll was dug at an
expense of about 81, 900 and fer awhile
the supply was better. This failed
after time, and new we'll was dug
west of the city at an expense of some
81, 900 and connected with the old
system. For time the supply was
good, but soon gave out. So far the
supply, though limited, was first GLASS
IN quality. At the beginning of the
municipal year of 1899, the water
fund of the city was overdrawn S715.
with the prospects of similar short
age during the year. All this time
the city was getting good water.
Last fall the Rock Island Company
took up the question of water sup
ply with the city, and the Council de-
cided to go to Deer Greek, where by
means of storage dams, water sufi-
cient to supply both city and COM
pany could be obtained. The work
was commenced without a dollar of
money or any supplies of material.
Unavoidable delays were encountered
until the work was so far along that
bat very short time was needed to
finish up. The writer had consider
able to do with the work and, think
ing that matters were so far along
that it could be finished by day work,
tried to give at least lille time to
his own affairs aud. as a consequence,
some parts of the finishing up were
neglected. The quality of the water
is the same as is supplied to the peo-
pie of Merton, Smith CeAtsr and 9TH
sr cities which get their supply from
running streams. Consultations with
gentlemen in the employ of the Rock
Island satisfied the Council that q
supply of water sufficient fer the
company and city could not be OBJ
Eained from wells IN this section.
Norton, on the Prairie Dog, tried
wells, but now gets water direct from
the creek. The situation then, as the
Council saw 1t, was this; either shut
down what we had, and lose all in
vested, or go on year or SO longer
and get in debt, with no money to
pay out, lose the railroad division,
and cause losses to our citizens.
Should this be done the debts would
still remain with decreased property
values from which to obtain revenue.
rhe city would be without fire pro-
lection, and people would have to re-
sort to wells and cisterns. The OoHn-
Gil felt that if an ample supply of
water could be obtained, the railroad
division retained, water for fire pro-
lection, lawns, trees, streets, stock
and a portion for house work at least
be obtained from Deer Greek. This
aas been done, good contract has
oeen made with the company, and
for once, the city has had plenty of
water. Many of our people have Sc
cured filters and pronounce water
passing through them as beng of
good quality and much softer than
the we'll water heretofore furnished.
The city is trying to improve the
quality, but does not meet with much
encouragement from experts. Had
the pumps been stopped, citizens
would have been compelled to dig
wells or elsterns, and lost the invest
ment of. $4,000. Now the $50, 900
will be saved, the new extension paid
tor out of earnings, and for about
$500 filter can be obtained which
will purify all water needed for fam
lily consumption. The Council wants
to make the water system 6 paying
investment. though in doing so it
may be done at loss of time by some
of the city officials.