The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-02-15
FOR GOOD WELLS.
People of Topeka Demand Pure
Water at All Times.
Dissatisfaction Over Proposed
6O-FOOt Open Wells.
MAY BE UNSANITARY.
Claimed That Rats and Filth
Can Get to Them.
Expert Well Digger Has Plan
of Protecting Points.
LAY BE UNSANITARY.

There is a sentiment against the ac-
ton Of the city waterworks commission
in digging two big sixty foot wells for
the water supply. It is contended that
a dug well this large is always open 20
foreign matter of all kinds and is I'M
sanitary and unhealthy.
The old system of sinking points be-
low the surface of the river was crude
for the river conditions because the
points were liable at any time to be-
come disconnected on account of the
floating ice, drift wood and shifting
sands But by the old drive we'll sys-
tenn the people of the city received the
purest water that could possibly be pro-
cured.
S. w. Sunday, one Of the veteran rail-
road we'll diggers of the Rock Island
and Santa Fe, has brought out a plan
that will do away with the big open
we'll proposition and preserve the point
system without danger from floods. 1t
will give the city an excellect source of
clear pure WHITEWATER that does not
see the outer air until it comes out
from the hydrant of the consumer.
Mr.. Sunday has dug wells for the
Rock Island and the Santa Fre all over
the lines west of Chicago. He is one of
the best we'll known men in the business
ago that he deserted the railroad bust
| ness. He was with the two railroad
| systems over % years and did practi-
cally all Of their work during that time
Here is the proposition presented by
Mr.. Sunday:
I'm a recent issue of your valued
paper I note where the city council
has passed a resolution to dig two
wells, sixty feet in diameter for
water supply for the city of Topeka.
LAS a citizen of Topeka. and as
have had some experience in getting
water, I trust it will not be improper
for me to suggest plan to get pure
water safe from floods and at nomi-
nal cost: also to make a remark on
the advisability of digging these wells
"In the first place, l am emphatical-
| ly opposed to the open well for domes-
| tic purposes. Flies and other insects
will get in at the top, and rats, moles
and worms will burrOW down outside
of the wall to the water level. In dig
ging these wells, it is safe to say it will
be impossible to sink the walls more
| than ten or fifteen feet into the sand.
By this it will be seen you are pump
| ing the first water under the clay.
"a number of years ago the Santa
Fe dug a large well at their water
plant in Topeka, They failed to get
their well down far enough to furnish
needs In 1902 they put six strainers
in the bottom of this we'll to depth of
48 feet The food of 1908 destroyed
the use of these strainers. BY this 1t
| will be seen the Stra1ner is not prac-
teal in the dug we'll
| Later, a sand dipper was used to
| clean out the well and, I presume. to
get the wall farther down. They failed
in this, and finally a second wall was
sunk inside, 80 feet in diameter to a
depth of As feet, and a sufficient sup
ply of good water was obtained.
| my opinion is. it would be well to
consider the cost of all this before at
J tempting to dig these wells for the
city.
I'm connection with the above, 1 de-
| sire to submit a plan which is not new,
| but is intended to suit the local con-
ditions do not wish to con-
denim the present system of sand
points in the river. as this is also used
| in a number of places where the con-
ditions are right.
"My plan is to go on ground above
high water mark, dig pit the depth
Of this, to be determined by the nor
NAL water level Of the river. The
width to be 40 feet, and If intended for
20 wells it should be 210 feet long;
put 10 wells along each side of the
pit, and a main or suction line through
the center, connect all the wells to this
suction pipe.
Cement the bottom of this pit all
over and around the pipes, this would
insure against anything getting in
from the surface. Put cement walls
on the sides and ends up to the sur
face of the ground, at one end of this