The Oskaloosa herald., 1915-11-18
OUR SUPPLY OF WATER
May be Jeopardised by Proposed
River Improvement.

l. Charles j. Fox OF the Peoples wat
er Company has been at work dur
ing the past season in replacing some
of the old piping and putting in new
and where needed larger pipes have
been installed. Quite n number OF
new fire hydrantS have been Installed
| during the season. o few new ones
near the high school and also two
new hydrants near the First ward
| school have been put in new or have
| replaced old hydrants. These two
buildings are well served in the mat
ter OF fire protection. but Mr., Fox
gave it as his opinion that the re,
naming school houses of the city are
quite poorly protected and he partic-
ularly mentioned Second ward (Jef-
ferson) school and the new Fourth
ward ,(GTantJ school. ~, +
Since the coming of Mr.. Fox to Os.
kalOosa few years ago, he has in
stalled total OF, g. fire hydrants of
the new and modern type that Is
Made in Oskaloosa" Of course most
of these have replaced old migrants,
but many OF them are In new loca.
tions and are 40 placed as to give
the most effective service in case of
need. The OskalooSa made MIGRANTS
receievd a high testimonial from Mr..
Fox who stated that they were in all
RESPECTS, the best that he had ever
used"
The Peoples Water Company gen.
orally spend about $4,000 10 $4,000
in the course of q season in I'm
provements and extensions, but this
year on account OF the rainy season
and, the limited condition OF their
funds for betterments, they have only
taken care of the usual upkeep of
their property. Another matter that
has hindered their progress. is the
unsettled condition of the changes
and improvements that are TO be
made in changing the course of
Skunk river.
1t is undecided at present as to
changes, surveys are being made and
plans are being perfected, but ii
some of the surveys are used that
have been made, and the change is
made in accordance with them, the
result will practically do away with
the system of driven wells that the
company has on the north side OF the
river and II this is done the city of
0skaloosa will be decidedly lacking
in the matter of water. supply. The
company have paid out in the sinking
of these wells, something like 1925.
900 and all OF this will be practically
destroyed il these wells are interfered
with in any manner. .r -.
The only other recourse will be the
securing of water from the river it.
self and the past few years have de-
veloped strong prejudice against
the use of the river water except for
fire. pressure. Mr.. Fox expressed
himself as being, -at a loss TO know
where Oskaloosa would get their wat.
er supply with the wells practically
gone and the river water an uncer-
tainty." 81 really don't know what
We would do with problem like
this"
The final decision regarding the
course OF the river through. Mahaska
county rests with the board Of SUI.
peryiesors and Mr.. Fox has consider
able confidence in the final Judgment
OF the board regarding the matter
The whole question will probably
be worked out to the best advantage
of all concerned, but until the mat.
ter is finally settled We can hardly
be expected to spend a lot of money
in improvements and extensions
when we, can hardly see where or
how we are coming out with this
river problem. When that is set.
tied and we know definitely what we
can depend on, We will then be able
to determine what is the best thing
to do with Improvements and better.
ments in the future"