The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1900-09-18
The Water Question.

The citizens committee appointed by
the recent public meeting to take steps to
improve the quality of the Mount Holly
water supply, had consultation with the
Water Company on Thursday night.
Mark r. Sooy is chairman of the com
mittee, and Eckard P Budd, secretary
Lewis Woolman, of Philadelphia, who
is an expert on South Jersey geology, was
present, and spoke on the question of arte-
sian wells He expressed the opinion that
good water would likely be secured at
one of two depths 275 or $50 feet below
tide level At the depth of 275 feet the
strata from which Columbus is obtaining
its supply would be reached. This water
has been pronounced first class for drink
ing and household purposes.
At depth of $50 feet, he said, strata
of plastic clay would be found, from
which excellent water should be secured.
A well at the barn on Lorillard's farm,
near Jobstown, is furnishing fine water
from this strata; also the many wells at
Camden which supply that city with
water. In Camden the clays are very
much nearer the surface.
Prof. Woolman stated that there is al
ways a risk of getting water tinctured
with iron, as there is layer of irony
gravel underlying this section. Geolog-
ical disturbances years ago sometimes
oo,,aod . ,,,iv+.,ro in cnotc IF thic Gravel
with the water bearing stratas There is
no method of ascertaining this except by
sinking a well.
B. f. H. Shreve. representing the
Water Co., said the corporation will sink
an experimental well at once, as they
prefer artesian water, if satisfactory,
rather than filtration.
The committee seemed to be of the
opinion that if artesian water of good
quality could be obtained it would be
more satisfactory than filtered creek water.
This would obviate the difficulty Of sew
age contamination of the creek, which is
continual menace, and would avoid the
risk of the proper care of filter.
The following resolution was passed:
RESOLVED That the committee approves of
the proposition submitted by the Mount Holly
Water Company to sink an experimental ar
tesian well for the purpose OF testing tne
quality OF the water with the view OF install
ing an artesiAn water plant andssupplytng the
inhabitants of Mount Holly with water II the
same should be found pure and wholesome
said experimental well to be sunk without
delay.
The matter of sewage contamination OF
the creek at Smithville was also consid-
cred While this question was being dis
cussed, another instance of the Water
Company's negligence and indifference
was.brought 10 light. After the physician
from the Carlisle Indian school wrote Q
report last spring, condemning our water
supply on account of its pollution by sew
age, the local Board of Health passed 9
motion requesting the Water Company te
refer the report to the State Board so thai
an investigation could be made by the
proper officials. The Water Company re
ceived notice of the motion, but, charac-
teristically failed to take sufficient inter
est in the matter to write the letter to the
State Board.
The meeting decided that the Stat'
Board should be asked to make anothe
examination of the creek, there being evi
dence that upon DR.. Hunts recent visit o
inspection he discovered only part 0
the sewage contamination.
4 The meeting adjourned subject to th
call OF the chairman OF the committee.