The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-07-17

the foul refuse has been carried down
and deposited in various places, not
ably in the culverts on Minnesota and
Poplar streets, both of which give
off terrible stenches. The citizens OF
that part of the city have Justly Pc
titioned that steps be taken to abate
the nuisance. He believed the health
officer had power to condemn places
of this character and he believed that
that action should be AIKEN promptly
and if anybody interfered the police
should be called.
Health Officer Bjelland reported that
those connected with both his depart
ment and that of City Engineer Haynes
were working as rapidly as possible
Regarding analysis of samples of city
water, DR.. Bieliand reiterated the re-
port given in The Free fress last even
ing. But the samples reported upon
were secured before the old Third
street well had been shut off, since
which time, the water seemed to be
cleaner an dcearer. Nevertheless, DIR.
Bielland did not propose to say that
there was much or little foul matter
in the city water at the present time.
Claims Water Is Pure.
President Porter of the board of
public works offered the information
that every drop of water had been
flushed out of the reservoir and mains
twice during the past two weeks and
hence all water now in the mains is
perfectly pure. Ways and means of
securing a fresh supply of water
daily were talked over at length until
finally the discussion resolved itself in
to, one of methods of connecting the
city wells with the water mains. Aid
Atchison expressed himself as being
ashamed of the fact that he did not
know until a day or two ago that the
Third street well had not been prop
erly connected, especially when the
council had ordered and received the
necessary fittings with which to prop
erly connect the well. The aldermen
objected to the plan of constructing a
pit or cistern at the top, in place of
directly connecting the well pipe with
the water main. All this because the
plank platform covering over the els
tern made it virtually surface we'll
City Engineer Haynes responded that
even the state health officers who were
recently here would not object to that
plan if the cistern was made water
tight which he purposed to make it
very soon. The object of the cistern
he explained, was to catch the sand
from the well which would otherwise
get into the pumps at the city water
works station. The prediction that an.
other city we'll would be necessary in
a very shore time was also made. The
whole discussion regarding the well
concluded in an expression that it
was the sense of the council that the
wells be properly connected to insure
against the possibility of contamina
ton through the seeping in of surface
water.
Statement of Health Officer.
When asked to make a complete
requisition on the council and other
city departments, Health Officer Bjel-
land summarized, saying that it had
been found that the city water con-
tanned bacilli which Indirectly caused
typhoid infection, showing that the
water had become contaminated either
by surface water or sewerage. Condi-
tions following the recent high water
were also dangerous to the health of
the community. For these reasons
it was urgent that all low places be
drained and that something be done
to destroy the odors emanating from
the big slough. Hence all he would ask
for was an ample number of laborers
to assist the health and engineering
departments to drain all stagnant
places as quickly as possible. He
would recommend, however, that imme.
date steps be taken toward securing
another city well.
The name of P. Sheehan to assist
the health officer by experimenting
work done under his order was men
toned and favorably received and it
is probable that DIR. Bjelland will have
an assistant for time.
The people can do much to protect
themselves by cleaning up their places
and living in the cost sanitary condi-
tion.
DR.. Bielland said that the smell from
the slough would not cause sickness
The smell is annoying, but is not dan
gerous.
DR.. Hielscher substantiated this.
Mayor Andrews spoke of the danger
of manure heaps around the city.
DIR. Bjelland said that the city bury
ing ground cannot be reached because
of culvert washed out.
City Engineer Haynes said that the
packing house is dumping offal on
the city garbage dump and not covering
it.
The Garbage Problem.
DR.. Bjelland said that sand pile
ought to be provided and everything
covered two feet deep as soon as
placed there. One of the big problems
was to take care of the garbage and
refuse of the city.
Aid. Atchison said that the sooner
the city buys land for dump the
better. When it is able to buy an
incinerator, he was in favor of get
ting one. Aid. Bradley coincided with
this.
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