New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1914-12-02
NEW ULM BROWN COUNTY, MINNESOTA WEDNESDAY DEC , i

one inch pipe about six inches long set
at right angles, through which the supply
runs to waste into 6 foot by 2 foot
rectangular wooden trough resting on
8 inch by inch timbers. A two inch
pipe removes the overflow. The spring
house is frame structure feet by Z
feet in dimensions, with sloping shingl-
ed roof built directly over the outlet. It
has a concrete floor thru which the out
let pipe extends. 1t was impossible at
the time of this visit to obtain accurate
data relative to this supply. A sample
was collected from the outlet pipe to
determine the sanitary quality of the
supply. The analysis of this sample
shows a count of $40 bacteria per c. c.
and B. Coli was found present in 100 c. c.
amounts. These results show that seri-
Gus contamination finds entrance to this
supply. The exact source of this con-
tamination was not found. In order to
locate this source and make satisfactory
improvements to eliminate the con-
tamination, the local authorities should
make a thorough inspection of the
spring and the various factors concerning
the same. Such improvements should
be made as will eliminate all possibility
for the entrance of surface waste to this
supply.
The other inspections were made at
302 South Franklin Street, Is North
Payne Street, Summit Ave. and South
Fourth Street, Summit Ave. and South
Third Street, 101 North Payne Street,
and at the farm residence of Fred Regelin.
In every instance the we'll covering was
found to be defective and it would be
quite easily possible for surface waste
to enter the wells in this way. Eight
cases of typhoid existed last winter
among the users of the water from the
six locations examined, two of them
resulting fatally. This will, no doubt,
have bearing on the settlement of the
claims for damages against the city.
The reports on the various wells are
80 nearly alike that it is not necessary
to give them in detail. In nearly every
instance the wells are described as dug
wells from 20 to 60 feet deep with an
abundant flow of water. The Regelin
we'll is drilled and is 1853 feet deep. There
is a storage cistern at the latter location
into which the water is pumped from the
we'll by wind power for household use.
The pumps in all instances. were of iron
and in good or fair condition and the well
curbings were of brick, in many cases
loosely laid SO that seepage might easily
find entrance. The coverings were also
at fault with all of the wells examined,
many of them being made of planks,
some badly decayed, and others of slabs
| of concrete not closely joined but per-
hitting of the overflow water from the
pump washing back into the well. This
appeared to be the most natural source OF
pollution since all the wells were located
sufficiently far from privies, barns, and
household dwellings to escape contami-
nation in those ways. At one place there
was evidence of household slops, such as
dishwater, etc., having been thrown
where it might find it's way back to the
well. The outhouses in most instances
were located on lower levels than the
wells also which is proper but in the case
of the Summit Ave. wells there was
abundant chance for contamination from
the wash of water down the hill sides
after rains and in one instance the well
required printing which also gives oppor-
tunity for pollution to enter from the
outside. The greatest variation in the
reports is shown in the Bacterial count
which ranges from 1900 to $500 and
Coli Bacilli appeared in every sample
exceeding 100 per c. c. This shows that
conditions are serious and need instant
attention.
The city Health Board has issued
notices to the owners of all the wells in
question, condemning the wells until
they are repaired and cleaned.