Rocky Ford enterprise., 1911-02-10

Inost Important question 10 De COLI
sidered by the people of Rocky Ford
is the Water problem. The time has
arrived when this most important
ture OF Rocky Ford depends largely
upon how it shall be determined.
The writer mas studied this ques-
ton for number OF years and has
concluded, first. that a gravity system
is, by far. the most desirable, and
none other should be considered, il it
is possible to secure 4 gravity sys-
tenn at reasonable cost.
1t has been suggested by some that
large reservoir be constructed for
the reception OF highline water and
settling basins be installed and that
the water be treated SO as to produce
potable water to the consumers. This
proposition would cost large
amount of money for the construc-
tion of settling basins and its general
installation and the cost incident to
the purifying of the water for domes-
tic use depends largely upon the
quality OF the water taken from the
ditch. In this proposition we must
also consider that at times the ditch
does not have water for as much as
two or three months at n time, which
condition will naturally require
very large system so as to hold a suf-
ticicnt supply, and at best is uncer-
tain.
Others advocate the plan of GO
ing to the river and sinking well
in the middle thereof and install a
large pumping plant to supply the
city with water. This plan. in order
to assure a continuous supply would
naturally require a double system SO
that il one should give out the other
could be used. This would require
the raising OF the water about one
hundred feet When we figure on
the cost OF the construction OF this
system il certainly will run in the
ncighborhood of 100000 and then
all we have is 4 water supply for ir-
rigaaoh and fire protection. as the
water is certainly such as could not
be safely used for domestic use. un-
less the water be treated. SO when
we consider the cost of coal and
| hired help, as well as the installation
the treatment and also the upkeep
and continuous expense incident to
this plan. the proposition does not
! look tlattcring to us.
The artesian well supply having
been tried for some eight years has
certainly proven failure. After
considering all OF these propositions
the writer is OF the opinion that the
! most plausible and proper proposition
iur the supplying OF our city with soft
potable water is what is known As
the Pearl Springs proposition. After
figuring this particular proposition
for more than two years, from every
-
cost. from any sources. We are Of the
opinion that fourteen inch pipe line
can be constructed from the outlet OF
its water supply to the hill about four
miles north OF the city, which pipe
line would carry more than 100000
gallons per day, upon which hill two
reservoirs OF a capacity OF 100000
gallons each can be constructed, and
twelve inch iron pipe line from th,
reservoirs to and connected with the
city mains all can be constructed at
an actual cost to the city OF $4,000
The survey for this line has been
made and would cost the city nothing.
The only additional expense that the
city might be put to is the right OF
way. which should cost nothing, as it
certainly would not damage any
property. by these pipe lines running
across it. The writer is assured that
the company, who owns the water,
will develop same and furnish it to
the city at SIC per thousand gallons,
and will furnish quantity to begin
with of 100000 gallons per day. The
writer is further OF the opinion that
with the two large reservoirs men
toned 100000 gallons per twenty
four hours would be sufficient to sup
,ta - ,t
time and the remaining 100000 gal
Ions per twcnty-four hours could be
sold at the price of at least Isc per
thousand gallons, which would aid
materially in the payments OF the in
tcrest on the bonds, as well as the
purchase price of the water. The
company furnishing the water will al
so increase the supply, if it is posi-
bic so to do, so that the main ques-
ton then is, what is the possible sup
ply at this point. The report upon
this supply by Albert X. Beymer and
X. \. Sawyer is not only interesting
but gratifying, and l submit here
with full copy of that report:
The Pearl Springs Water Co, I
Dear Sirs: / herewith submit a
short report on the water resources
of the land owned by you in northern
Otcro county and southern Lincoln
county, Colorado.
From the sth to the 10th OF No
vember in company with Mr.. Reuben
4. Sawyer of your company, ! pros
pccted your land in Sections eo-I7-S
and ! in Township IS South, Range
50 West in Otero county, and Sec
tions .32-33-2r and 10 in Township "
South, Range SO West i'll Lincoln
county.