Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1919-11-25
PUSH WORK ON
100000 CITY
DRAIN SYSTEM
Nearly ne-Third of Pipe
Has Been Laid-Already
Underground Water Is
Lowered Where Tile Is
Placed

Tile pipe for a distance of two or
three miles has been laid and work is
progressing rapidly on the system of
drainage for the city of Phoenix un-
der the 800, 600 bond issue voted some
time ago, and the underground water
in parts where the pipe already has
been laid is being lowered at the rate
Of one-fourth inch a day, according
10 tests made under the contract held
by c. Fisher for the city.
City officials express themselves as
entertaining confidence that the much
needed drainage system will be sue
cessful, that basement flooding, es-
pecially in the business district, will
be eliminated and the underflow water
problem that has beset Phoenix for 40
years will be solved.
The work is being watched with the
greatest concern by property holders
in the business district. and reports
OF the lowering of water are being
gratefully received.
To Lay 10 Miles of Pipe
Ten miles OF pipe approximately will
he laid. 1t will be in two divisions,
running about the city in manner to
catch the underflow water from the
water sands and turn it into the Salt
river at Nineteenth avenue. The pipe
laying was started at the river. The
pipe, 24-inch tile Of suitable construc-
ton was laid from the river north on
Nineteenth avenue to the Buckeye
road and then east to Tenth avenue.
AT that point week has been stopped
awaiting he passing of the present
wet spell.
xt-ha 1nt, -,
clude the main line along the Buck
eye road with two 24-inch pipe trunk
lines. One will go north from the
Buckeye road on Seventh avenue to
Grant street east on Grant TO Tenth
street. north on Tenth street to Nc
kinley street, west on Mckinley street
to First street. Another trunk line
VIII leave the main line at Ninth ave-
nue. and the Buckeye road, run north
to Mckinley street. east on Mckinley
to Third avenue, north on Third ave
nue. to Willetta street.
See Success Ahead
This system, as worked out by the
engineering department, will cover the
underground area. The tile pipe is be-
ing laid at an average of 10 feet in
depth. Some of 1t probably will be
lald at 10 feet. depending upon the
water conditions in certain parts of the
city. The big idea is that the tile nine
Is not Joined. but left open, after a
plan tested and proven satisfactory bv
engineers. These open spaces in the
joints will admit the underground
water, turning it into the pipes to be
conveyed thereby to the river. rather
than permitting the water to run at
large underground into cellars and
easements.
II was stated through the contrac-
Tors sources yesterday that in one
area water in well one fourth mile
from the drainage pipe had been low
cred an equivalent of two and one half
feet a month. At the city hall it was
stated that this was a better showing
than anticipated that the city govern :
ment had been willing to consider two
feet month as a good and satisfac-
tory showing
Everything, apparently is favorable
to a successful Job" said one official
Three Water Sources
The underflow comes from a three
fold source. The Verde river sends
OF its water underground to the Salt
river under the heart of Phoenix
Then the Salt river from a point neal
Granite reef begins to leak so tc
speak, sending much OF its water un.
foreground to mingle with Verde water
while passing under the city on il.
short cut to the Salt river at a poini
southwest of the city. Then, and {
point not generally understood. say tn,
engineers, is irrigation perforation
That is to say water in canals anC
laterals and water RELEASED for irri
cation. finds its way through tn,
ground TO the water sands lying neai
the surface under the city.