Fergus County argus., 1902-02-05


are they likely to obtain except after
many weeks of delay and consider
able cost, or by obtaining this infor-
nation from those local people who
are possessed thereof. but who. very
naturally, are not willing TO give for
nothing that which cost them hun
dreds Of dollars and much labor. 1t
seems as though the purchase Of this
information in the first place would
have been wise, but the council judg-
ed otherwise.
Very naturally public opinion strong
y leaned toward the gravity system
on account of the cheapness of main
tenance after being installed. The
waters of Little Casino were consid.
cred. a visiting engineer gave his opin-
lon that there was there sufficient
water for the needs Of the town for
many years. But parties familiar
with the spring very much doubted
this and others said that in dry sea.
sons the water was g. eatly diminish
ed. Though a gravity system from
Little Casino could have been very
cheaply installed that plan, because
OF the uncertainty of the supply. was
dismissed.
Piping from the spring at the head
of the creek was next investigated.
The elevation has been ascertained
to be sufficient to afford very heavy
pressure and ample supply is not ques-
toned, but the cost of piping for that
distance appears prohibitive. A care
ful estimate of the cost OF sufficient
pipe to convey the water from the
spring to the city boundary is $780,
600. To that expenditure would be
added the cost of all the city mains
and the cost of laying the supply pipe.
The abandonment of that plan was
therefore necessary.
The total amount to be derived from
the sale of bonds is but $4,000 and
the purpose was to have included in
the expenditure a system of sewerage.
Three plans were still left and it is
upon these that the consideration of
the council is now confined. It may
be possible TO secure q sufficient pres
sure from a point on the creek only
four miles above town and the rcduc-
tion in the amount Of pipe needed
may make a gravity system from that
point practicable though it is very
seriously doubted. The second plan
is what is known as the duplicate
pumping system. but the advisability
OF that plan is very seriously ques-
toned by those who have already
made thorough investigation. The
| abandonment of the two schemes just
named, which. we believe. will be the
ultimate result, reduces the city to the
reservoir plan. one which will prove
quite satisfactory. though by no means
to be preferred if the gravity system
were practical.
The elevations Of the nearby points
have been ascertained. From a res.
ervoir at the head of Main street, west
side. a pressure of forty-five pounds
can be had, while from a reservoir on
the opposite side of town, situated con-
siderably higher, a pressure of sixty
eight pounds at the intersection of
Main street and Third avenue can be
depended upon. This is deemed quite
sufficient. Alderman Wright stating
Monday evening that at that pressure
three streams of water could be
| thrown from a one.inch fire nozzle
over any ,.recstory building which
might be erected. while single
stream would have pressure sufficient
to tear away lramc work. In conjunc.
tion with the reservoir a pumping sta
ton would b0 established at a con.
vcniert point on the creek. from
which wator would be piped to the
reservoir. whore, before passing into
the city mains. all water would be fl
tered
| Parties owning the high hills where
o reservoir would be desired seem dis.
posed to demand an exorbitant price
but this matter could be readily ad.
iusted in the courts by condemnation
proceedings. Doubtless it would be
well for such a suit to be commenced
as early as practicable that appeals
may not delay the matter beyond the
present season.
At Monday nights meeting Of the
council, the entire matter was referr
ed to the city engineer, who will OBJ
tain necessary data which may be
still laclsing-lt is understood he al
ready has a plan of city piping-ant
al an early date the engineer will re
port to the council upon the feasibil
lty Of the several plans. Should i
bc then deemed advisable the coun
cil will submit that data, together witt
the plans and opinions Of the city en-
ginccr 20 one water works eEper
and shor'l, sgIorward the city win b'
prcDsTo6 tu make a positive decision
2 and cell for uas i1r the work.
There au I-1 practically no ores
i!or iu. tl' 0No money on the bond