The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-03-04
Claim That Wells at Water
works Will Be Unsanitary.
SUNDAY TELLS HOW.
Railroad Well Expert Believes
His Scheme Is Right.
Big Wells Under Construction
Will Not Last Long.

movement IN the city against the plans
of the city waterworks commissioners
in digging two large wells for the pur-
pose of giving the city pure water.
Superintendent Goodrich of the city
electric light plant gave out an inter
view few days ago against the wells
that are under construction at this
time and today S. w. Sunday, a candi-
date for commissioner, and a railroad
well expert, Joined the new insurgent
movement in condemning the action of
the water trustees.
1t has been contended by these men
and number of city officials, council
men and citizens, that the wells at the
plant will not supply the needs of the
seep in under the walls in the course of
two or three years, plug up the flow
and there will be no more water.
Furthermore it is stated that there
such wells along the river bank both
by the city and private corporations
and every attempt has been a fiat fail
ure. The cases of the Harrison street
pumping station and the asylum wells
have been cited
Supply Taken From River.
The Topeka water supply at this time
comes from a series of drive wells be-
meath the bed Of the river. Points are
driven down through the water into
the underfiow below the sands and wa
ter procured in this manner. 1t does
not reach daylight until it is released
from the hydrant.
Not long ago ice gorges came down
the river end broke off number of the
suction pipes leading down into the
points below the bed of the river. This
caused an inflow of dirty unhealthy riv-
er water and the people of the city have
been drinking the same ever since.
1t is said that the waterworks trus-
al
in order to quiet public sentiment which
ran riot a few weeks ago.
The following interview from Mr..
Sunday will explain his plan. Mr.. Sun
land and the Santa Fe in well digging
for a number of years.
Mr.. Sundays letter follows:
II notice in the morning paper an
interview with Mr.. Goodrich in refer
ence to a water supply for Topeka.
In a part of this interview I agree with
1r. Goodrich. in others. I do not. and
farther there are some things that are
not plain to me.
First, I heartily agree with Mr..
ficient to supply topeka, cannot be sup
piled by the open well system, and
want to add, that the quality Is not
good.
is the best brass strainer on the mar
ket but they will corrode. There are
strainers made of other material than
brass that will not corrcde.
Is Most inexpensive.
IT agree the gang well system is the
most inexpensive. most simple, and
most durable, If put in to suit the local
conditions. and where the conditions
are right for a system OF this kind and
I am sure they are right, in Topeka
Not For Strainer Method.
where I do not agree on this sub
ject is to go on the bank above high
water mark and push strainers out
under the river as proposed by Mr..
We have from 20 to 40 feet
of shifting sand in the main channel
of the river. At flood time this sand
is moving. We now have a system
of strainers in this sand. Go to your
hydrant now for a drink of pure water,
that will explain the rest.
ST do not understand how water
can be safely drawn through sue
mark, is about 20 feet above normal
water level.
s'It is known that at this altitude
water can be drawn about 80 feet,
when the pump is perfect, and all
other conditions equal, but for water
system Of this kind where it is neces-
sary to keep pressure in the mains at
all times, I would not recommend
1raft of more than ten feet.
s'In your paper a few weeks ago I
proposed a plan whereby the drafting
can be cut down to 10 feet, yet the
plant would be immune from floods. I
shall be pleased to note any suggestion
On water, as I think water is what we
need for Topeka at this time more |
han anything else.
LAS to Mr.. Goodrich's experience in |
getting water, do not know. 1 infer
rom his present occupation that he is
or ought to be working with electricity. |
''I have seen all kinds of waterworks |
between Chicago and the Pacific coast, |
both railroad and city, and I have put |
n quite a number in the past 20 years, |
some of which can be vouched for In |
Topeka.
zone more thought and I will close.
Within the past two weeks have been
approached several times on the reser- |
yoir water system. st. Joseph, Mo-, |
las the reservoir water system. About |
/ year ago they cleaned out their res |
ervoir, and it is needless to say here
what they found in the bottom.
Something should be done to get
pure water for Topeka promptly, eco |
lomically and to last permanently"