CanÌƒon City record. [volume] (CanÌƒon City, Colo.) 1883-192?, 1901-07-25
IMPROVED WATER SYSTEM.
City Plant VIII Be Enlarged and
Improved-Soft Water Is to Be
SuppIied-New Water Rates.

pies of water taken from the Arkan-
sas river and wells sunk nearby for
chemical analysis, and in a recent is
sue of the RECORD reference was
made thereto.
| From samples tested by one chem
ist it seemed clearly established that
albuminoid ammonia was excessive,
while the presence of a large guam
tity of lime compelled the CHASING of
the water as hard water and unfit for
use.
Another sample was condemned
because of the lack of adequate care
in taking the sample, while still an
other sample sent to the chemist who
states that when compared with the
Michigan standard the water is
remarkably pure and wholesome
above the average water supply"
The samples above referred to were
taken from point in the river above
the city some two to three miles.
The object sought was to obtain a
supply free from all the contaminat-
ing influences of the city. The tests
failed to convince the city authorities
that the supply was sufficiently pure,
and search was instituted elsewhere.
These examinations have convinced
the city authorities that the water in
the Arkansas river as it enters the
city is soft, and when pre- perly filtered
is good and wholesome for drinking
purposes.
At the present time city water is
filtered in six large vats 5xll feet
and II feet high. Filtered through
these the water is then passed into
the well and from there pumped into
the city mains. The lack of pressure
for some time has been occasioned by
the inability to filter water fast
enough to meet the full pressure de-
mand. To obviate this lack ten new
filtering tanks are to be installed as
soon as it is possible to erect them.
A new tank house 36x50 feet is be-
ing erected, and the foundation is
nearly ready for the timber work.
1t is the plan Of the city author
tiles to 90 up the river far enough to
obtain the necessary fall and there
erect two or more settling basins;
these will probably be fifty feet
square and substantially built The
second basin will be set lower than
the first SO as TO catch the overflow
from the first as fast as water settles.
From the second basin it will pass to
well. 1t is calculated that while
the water is passing through these
two basins from fifty to seventy-five
per cent. of the impurities will be
extracted. From the well the water
will be carried by large pipe direct
ly to the filtering tanks, thence to the
well for city use.
The present daily consumption of
water is about 100000 gallons. When
the new filter tanks are in operation
it is figured that fully 100000 gal
Ions Of filtered water-and soft water
at that-will be at the disposal of the
water superintendent.
The excessive hardness of the
water furnished our citizens has
caused many severe comments to be
passed upon the city council. To as
certain if possible the cause for the
soft river water becoming 90 hard,
careful examination was made of the
blind ditch" which passes dagonally
across the river just east of the dam
near First street. Investigation
showed conclusively that very little
water came into the ditch from the
river side, while from the penitenti-
airy side where the low lands between
the river and Main street have been
filed in with refuse rock and lime
from the penitentiary there was a
strong flow. The natural conclusion
was that from this source came all
the trouble, and because of this the
settling basins will be constructed.
Thn min nn,...osI Z. -. LII -