The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-10-25

tains SO much lime, iron, magnesia and
other minerals that it would not be de-
sirable for Industrial purposes, altho a
very wholesome drinking water.
why not use our present system for the
nrst-named purposes and bore, say, fifty
deep wells? Hardly any house in Mime
apolls would then be more than half a
mile from good drinking water: people
might go and get 1t, or have somebody
take it to them at very small cost.
The cost Of these wells would not be
very great; in many cases there would be
found water from 200 to 400 feet; In some
cases you might have to go deeper. Up
to the depth we would have to reach. the
cost of boring would proba bly, not exceed
81 foot; $4,000 to 100000 would prob
ably bore all the wells We would need
There would be some additional expense
for fountains, for pumping where the
water only came to the surface but did
not flow: etc. but nothing that would
amount to great deal.
There are some distinct ADVANTAGES in
the use of artesian or deep we'll water;
such water is always free from disease
carrying germs, 1t is of pleasant tempera-
ture. the specimens we have here in the
city give very palatable water Of g. spark
ling clearness. The presence Of the min
erals. iron, magnesia, lime, etc, Is not
Objectionable.
How much simpler to avail ourselves al
rectly Of natures own filtered water, than
to take the contaminated water and put
1T thru slow, complicated and expen-
sive process.
Suppose we build a filtering plant. We
shall have to burden ourselves with tax
alton in excess Of what the trainers of
our charter thought was prudent. Our
city is young; it is, IF not actually poor
certainly far sfrom rich, compared with
older cities of its size. All our financial
resources are needed for our industrial de-
velopment. Now, if there was only the
way suggested by the commission to get
wholesome drinking water we should DO
compelled to enter upon it, but, as have
indicated, there Is a cheaper and fully
as efficient manner of securing this ne :
cessity.
A filtering plant has additional disad-
vantages and dangers besides It's original
cost. In the first place. experience teaches
that the original estimates of cost have
often been much too low. Then. we do
not know what the expense will be in
running the plant; it cannot be inconsid-
cradle. as the sand filter will have to be
watched cleaned. renovated or changed
at certain periods. This can only be
done thru skilled and high-priced labor.
Then comes the possibility that our city
may get a corrupt administration, which
will look upon the water service as part
of the political spoil, and then our sand
filters may become as dirty as those of
Philadelphia. so graphically described by
member Of the commission
Another possible disadvantage with the
sand filters Is that we do not know how
long they remain effective.
To put the matter short, sum up as
follows:
I suggest two alternatives to give us
good drinking water. First. either use the
artesian water of the upper stratum and
pump that in the mains. or. second, If
there Is not found enough water at thai
level continue to use Mississippi water
as now. for industrial purposes, and bore
sufficient number Of wells to enable
everybody to get a free and liberal supply
never be contaminated, never fail and
| cost but little. -knut Hoegh.