The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-03-27
LETTERS TO
THE EDITOR
PURE WATER

Fairmont, March 27.-tEditor
The West yirgin1an).-The water
situation of the city OF Fairmon.
reminds me OF a statement made
to me several years ago by one OF
the Oldest and greatest coal men
in this region. He said that at one
time II was thought that all OF the
coal in the country was a small
tract located and being mined at
a point on Coal Run near the pres
ent location OF the Mccoy coal
mine. and 1t appears that some
of the people OF the present day
think that the only place to get
water for the city OF Fairmont is
at the point where the present
pumping station Is now located,
Just above the forks Of the Mon
ongahela River. It has been shown
that the water near the junction OF
the rivers Is higher IN sulphur than
at any other point near. This cyl.
IDENTIFY pushes its way UP to the
present intake.
I noticed a statement made re-
Gently in one OF the city papers
that the sulphur was injurins all
the water pipes and hydrants. but
1t went on to say that one Of the
hydrants out OF commission was
located on State street, another on
East Park and another somewhere
on the west side of the river. The
conclusion to be drawn is that, as
no other parts OF the water system
seemed to be affected, It is due to
neglect that the hydrauts referred
to have not been proprly cared for
and flushed. I have been OF the
opinion for several years that IL
we get our water supply from the
river. at all It should be taken
from the river at coltax. There
Is one thing true, beyond any rea-
souable contradiction. aud that Is
that the water at Coltax Is the
best aerated water in the region
and there IS nothing better than
aeration to purify and clearly
water. but taking into considera-
ton the vast amount Of sewage
and all kinds OF mud and fifth de.
posted In the river 1t occurs to
me that we should geek a different
source Of supply. l have made
some preliminary Investigations
and find that there are a number OF
places that seem to be ideal for
reservoirs. The land lies In a cove
With a ridge nine tenths of the
way around 1t, and by constructing
q dam at the outlet and opening
all the available springs II would
give US a water supply that would
be pure and sparkling. In case Of
an inadequate supply from the
rainfall and springs, there is an
everlasting sheet OF water a short
distance under the surface which
can be drilled to and by which we
can get pure water without further
filtration. AS to the proposed I'll.
tration plant. it may have a ten.
deucy TO clearly the water, but I
have but little confidence In It as
a purifier. While l am heartily n
favor OF a pure water supply, We
are In great danger OF making a
sad mistake by voting a bond issue
to install the type OF filters now
proposed. I am certainly OF the
opinion that we should have had a
better Investigation and detailed
analysis OF the water at Coltax,
and other investigations as to q
pure water supply before we vote
to bond the city further. Let US
30 about this in a scientific and
common sense way. What We want
is to eliminate bacteria from tho
water, but by the plan proposed I
do not believe that It viii. prove
successful. 1t baS been said by
good authority that no mechanical
filter is the proper method to elm
mate bacteria from the Ohio River |
Valley water. Now when a proper
investigation Of the whole sltus.
ton by az expert bacteriolog.stE Is
made and furnished to the citizens,
will, it found satisfactory, be in
favor. Is necessary. OF a bond issue
to take care OF the situation, hut
do not think we have been suf-
fciently Informed, and We are, !