The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1917-09-13
CITY HAS EXCEP-
T|0NALLY fine WELL
We'll Produced 400 Gallons Minute
But This 10 Not Full Capacity
New Pump Will be Installed.


City Engineer Thomas presented to
the board of city commissioners q
very interesting and apparently valua-
BILE report on the new city we'll at Oak
Park. Since the report was presented,
the city commission has authorized
the installation of a centrifugal pump
which will permit the well to be pump
ed to capacity. 1t is the general be-
lief that the question Of Minot's wat
er system has been solved. Mr..
Thomas report, which is quite COM
plete, follows:
Minot, N. D., Sept. 10, 1917.
To the Hon. Board of City
Commissioners.
Gentlemen:
The following is a report on the bor-
ing and testing of a 1O-inch we'll in the
east side of Oak Park.
On the 2Sth day Of May a contract
was awarded to the Mccarthy Well
Co. of st. Paul for the. boring and
testing of the we'll. Work was started
about July 1st. The we'll was bored
and casing driven to depth of LAG
feet. The water-bearing strata being
explored was encountered at depth
of IS feet, and extended to depth of
1872 feet. Samples of the water-bear-
ing material for each foot in depth
were taken and preserved and can be
seen in my office. The contract in
cluded perforating the casing through
the water-bearing vein after the pipe
was driven. The work of perforating
was partially completed when at
-
hard casing was broken by the tools,
allowing a large amount OF SAND TO
enter the we'll. This made it impos-
sible to use the we'll and the contract
or was obliged to put down another
we'll IL feet further south. This sec
ond we'll was bored through the water
bearing vein to a depth OF l32 feet.
Samples of the water-bearing vein IN
this we'll were taken at each foot IN
depth. 1t was deemed advisable to
secure a brass screen rather than to
make perforations and 4O-foot brass
screen with No. 20 slot was secured
and placed in the well.
A 1O0-hour continuous pumping test
was started at o'clock A. M. on Sept.
9Th and was completed at IL O'Clock
A. M. on Sept. 10th. During this test
the flow was maintained at between
$50 and $40 gallons per minute. For
q period of about one hour the HOW
was maintained at 400 gallons per
minute, which is the ultimate capacity
of the pump. The high rate OF pump
ing could not be maintained with sa1e-
ty to the pumping equipment, and at
no time was the capacity OF the well
reached.
The effect of the pumping on the el-
ovation of the water in 4-inch we'll
which is at distance of 80 feet and
which extends into the same water
bearing stratum was observed at IN
tervals and it was found that after
100 hours of pumping the elevation OF
the water in the well was lowered only
feet Readings were also taken or
the water level Of we'll No. 9 in the
west side Of Oak Park, which also ex-
tends into the same vein and at dis
tance of about 800 feet from the well
being tested, the pumping causing the
water in this we'll to be lowered about
six inches. The elevation Of the water
between the casing and pump pipe IN
the well being tested was observed
and it was found that the water level
was lowered about feet AS the well
has not been pumped to it's capacity,
it would be advisable to secure a
pumping outfit capable of pumping the
we'll to it's capacity.
Although a chemical analysis of the
water has not been made the indica-
tions are that it is of the same char
acter as water in the other wells in
the same vicinity and which extends
into the same vein. l recommend for
your consideration the matter Of Sc
curing centrifugal pump and pump
ing into mains of the western portion
Of the city. It is possible that deep
we'll pump and small temporary reser-
voir will be required in addition to the
centrifugal pump.
The indications Of securing an am
ple and satisfactory water supply
from wells in the vicinity of this test
well are very promising, the well be-
ing tested will be one of the series OF
wells required to supply the city. The
water will be pumped to the future
proposed supply reservoir. After
making additional tests and securing
further information with regard to the
quality and quantity Of the water, ac-
ton should be taken by your Board
with regard to having plans prepared
for the development and use of the
well supply. Samples Of the water
have been sent to the State Public
Health Laboratory at Grand Forks,
and samples will be sent to the State
Public Health Laboratory at Minneap-
oils. .Minn.
Respectfully submitted,
e. j. THOMAS,
Ci&x, I'm Oinonr