The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-01-15
BOIL The WATER.
This Is Advice Given Out to
Users Of City Water.
Break in Suction Pipe Lets in
River Flow.
CLEARER TOMORROW.
Superintendent Shaw Expects
Relief at Once.
Water Now Comes From Emer-
gency Wells.
CLEARER TOMORROW.

1t Will be several days before the city
water is clear and free from all danger
of disease on drinking. Superintendent
Shaw of the city waterworks. depart
rent stated this afternoon that he ex-
pected the dirt to disappear from the
water before night although it was
probable that. it would be cloudy and
slightly dirty Sunday.
The break in the point pipes which
run in under the river to the dry wells
below were broken during the big ice
flow on the river and on this account
the water in Topeka has been chiefly
of the river variety ever since.
At the present time the water is be-
near the plant. This well is capable OF
supplying the city when the fire pres
sure is not on and: when only the nor
NAL use is being made.
The reason that the water has been
cloudy and dirty today is on, account
of the fact that in pumping from the
we'll to the city some of the river water
accidentally sifted through the old
points and sclouded the well. By even
ing it is thought by the officials that
the well wiki be cleared of the river
dirt and in good condition.
The people of Tope1xa-should boil their
water before drinking. This is the adj
vice of Superintendent Shaw today.
Personally I have no fear of the wa
ter and use it at home with all former
freedom but in case something should
happen I do not want the people to
think that l did not issue warning.
The water is filled with the river dirt
and this is something unusual for To-
peka-but for other cities where the
river water is used the people think
little of it-they are used to it.
81 am sorry that this accident should
happened and hate to think that the
usually excellent supply of clear, pure
water has been mixed with this river
water-but we were a victim of circum-
stances and it could not be helped. The
immense cakes of ice coming down the
river surrounded our wells and drove
up on the bank i'll gorges. 1t was I'M
doubtedly this ice flow that broke one
of the points down in the river and let
in the river water
Kansas City, Mo-. Kansas City, Kan,
LeaVenworth and all the cities along
the rivers use plain river water for all
Topeka is probably blessed
with the purest and best water that
can be o btained for a city of this
size. The forty or more suction pipes
with the point attachments run down
thirty feet below the river bed and
here the underflow and the best water
obtainable is procured.
This water never sees daylight until
it comes out of the hydrants at the |
houses and stores in this city. 1t is |
the best source of water |
supply that could be found in this |
country. Under normal conditions the |
people of Topeka enjoy water that |
has been analysed as the purest from |
every point of view.
There is only one danger that faces !
the city waterworks officials at this !
time. 1t is feared that if a big fire |
broke out it would be necessary to |
draw on the river suction pipes again |
and thus the mains would be filled |
with the same water that has been |
filing them for the past two days. A
small fire would not exceed the capa |
city of the big well that is now being !
used for domestic purposes but fire |
of a few hours duration would make |
it necessary for immediate relief from |
the riVer-and there is plenty of water |
in the river
Not until the river goes down to its |
normal flow and winter low water |
mark will be possible for the super |
to have the leak repaired. |
The river is high now and is full of |
floating ice bergs-it is impossible to /
make any repairs. The pipes are eth |
err on the bottom of the river before |
they go downward or else they are |
below the sand level. 1t may be sew |
era1 days before the leak can be plug |
ged-
However. in case there is no fire |
the domestic supply over the city can |
be supplied by the water in the big |
we'll near the plant which seems to |
hold out in good shape.
A good moral for the people to fol- |
low is to boil the water before drink |
wait for the best.
High school students Whip Teacher. |
Florence, Colo, Jan. 15.-Angered |
at what they declare was the brutal /