The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1913-02-17
Moorhead Department
ARTESIAN WATER
FOR MOORHEAD
STATEMENT TO THE VOTERS OF
MooRHEAD REGARDING THE
WATER SITUATION - WATER
HAS BEEN TESTED BY EXPERT
SCIENTISTS.

AS there has been some inquiry rela-
tive to the contemplated plans of the
city Of Moorhead to procure and furnish
artesian water for domestic use
through the mains Of the city, 1t might
perhaps be of interest to the people of
the city that a statement be publish
ed of what has been done and what is
contemplated being done along this
line to accomplish his end.
During h extremely dry season of
1910 the supply of water in the Red
river decreased to such an extent that
1t was thought the city could not pro-
cure sufficient water from this source
for city purposes. At that time a COM
mittee from the council and the COM
mercial club held a joint meeting with
the water and light commission and
discussed the matter, and it was de-
cided that a ter inch we'll should be
drilled at once as a precaution against
a shortage Of water and to ascertain
whether Or not a supply OF .artesian
water could be found. This well was
completed in the month OF Nay, 1917
and the water analysed by Professor
Ladd and Professor Frankfocter, a
copy of the analysis being filed in the
city office. and being as follows:
Parts per million.
Chlorine "a
Equivalent as sodium chlor-
lue, salt ...............~.. l3S
Volatile and organic matter so
Mineral solids ..............615
Total solids ..............665
During the winter of 1911 and the
spring Of 1912 there was considerable
agitation in reference to procuring a
supply of artesian water for the city
| from a enrins ne uyo1I5 mi Fory,oo-. Go IN
Geologist w. Fl, Wtnchell of st. Paul
was called to the ely to investigate the
artesian water supply and filed a writ
ten report stating that 1t was his opin-
ion that there was a sufficient supply
of water underlying the city to supply
it's requirements, which would be found
by drilling at n place within the city.
Acting upon this report a six inch test
well vas drilled Oh the property near
the water and light plant to a depth
of 200 feet.
This test we'll was drilled with the
idea that if sufficient water could be
found near the plant several thousand
dollars could be saved in the cost of
development n in operating ex-
penses.
After drilling this well it was found
that there was not sufficient water to
warrant establishing the wells at this
place.
A pumping test of the ten inch well
drilled during the years 1910 and 1911
was then made showing that this vel
would furnish 100000 gallons of water
in twenty-four hours at the eighty foot
level, $4,000 gallons at the forty foot
level and 10000 gallons at the TWEEN
ty foot level. -
After this test was made it was
thought advisable to procure the opin,
ion of a consulting engineer on th'
development of the wells.
E. p. Burch Of Minneapolis was call
ed to the city and after investigation
of the situation submitted a repor
stating that another ten inch wei
should be drilled at once n the waite
from both wells pumped into the cit!
mains for a period of from four to si1
months from the twenty foot level
furnishing from 100000 to 100000 gal
lions of water per day, to ascertain
whether or not the wells would suppl!
: this amount of water continuously be
: fore making any large expenditure. Hi
report also states that the cost of con
structing a suitable plant, complete
: would be from $4,000 to $4,000.
l. The contract for drilling the tel
inch we'll has been awarded and tn,
| development of the proposition is be
: ing done according to his report.
!. It was also thought advisable to sub
, NIT to a vote of the people at the cit.
: election in February the proposition o
making an expenditure. of o to ex
: coed $4,000 out of the money now OF
|, hand in the water and light fund, 70
) the purchase of proper equipment an,
: the construction of a suitable plant a
: the site where the wells are located
provided the test of the two well
: proved satisfactory, and If they do no
: show satisfactory results to abando,
! the idea of procuring water from ar
: tesian wells. 3
The city charter provides that befor
, a contract for the expenditure of $500
or more be awarded by the council tn
question shall be submitted to a vot
Of the electors Of the city for their ap
/ proval before it shall be valid.
This question is submitted at tn
;. general city election, Feb. Is to obviat
t the necessity of holding a special cleo
! ton, provided the test of the well
prove satisfactory after being pumpe
lat least four months.-Advt.
.n Nya&aH has baan uaAI 50