The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-08-21
CLEANING OF
RESERVOIRS
IS DISCUSSED
City Commission Authorizes
Mayor to Negotiate With
Water Company Officials
MANY PEOPLE ARE SICK
Reported Numerous WOrkmen
OFF Duty on City Jobs Be-
cause of City Water

The city commission OF Bismarck
in session last night. discussed the
water situation with respect to
the dirty reservoirs and the con-
sequent wave of sickness which
has spread over the city in the last
two or three weeks. Mayor Lenhart
was given authority to take the mat
ter up with representatives of the
Bismarck Water Supply Company in
ing Of the reservoirs.
The question was raised by c. l..
Hanson, who volunteered informa-
ton to the commission that the res
ervoirs are in a deplorable condition.
There is SO much mud in them, he
sad, that it virtually overflows into
the mains. There has been no chlorine
put in the water for many weeks. he
asserted, which would mean that
raw Missouri river water with the
addition of mud gathered in the res
ervoirs is. being turned into the
mains for people to drink.
Some members of the commission
felt it was none of their business
to clean the reservoirs, since the city
did not own the property and they
would have no authority for doing so.
They also said that if the railroad
commission was appealed to and that
body sought to enforce cleaning Of
the reservoirs, the Bismarck Water
Company could appeal and tie up the
matter until the time for the city to
take over the plant.
Reports were made that many peo-
pie are sick from the water. Hanson
said that many men working on the
new filtration plant were sick and
Commissioner. Thompson, who urged
action, said that half the crew work
ing on the new school house in the
western part of the city was sick.
There was discussion as to the cost
of cleaning the reservoirs. The water
coinpany's figures were that it cost
about $7O0 to clean the three. Other
estimates ranged down to $3.50 to
$500.
Mr.. Hanson asserted none Of the
three reservoirs had been cleaned
since last August and that one Of
them hadn't been cleaned for three
years. He said the reservoirs were
full of mud. One suggestion advan-
ced was that, while it takes consider
able time to clean the reservoirs, the
mud valves might be opened and the
worst of the mud drawn off quickly
City Engineer Atkinson reported that
the fact that the new 16-inch main
trench is open need not stop the
cleaning of the reservoirs.
Hanson declared a carp was found
in the swimming pool the other day,
presumably pumped from the river
through the water mains.
Two weeks ago the proposition Of
cleaning the reservoirs was up. At
torneys for the water company, since
it was not then known what the
result of the bond issue decision
would be, suggested that the city and
company split the expenses. This was
transmitted to George P. Flannery.
president of the company at st. Paul.
He reported that local officers of
the water company vetoed the ar
rangement and their veto was &C.
cepted.
Meanwhile the injunction Of the
city health officer that water be
boiled continues.
The commission, in it's meeting
last night, also accepted the resigna-
tion of j. R. Falconer, of the fire de.
partment, and appointed William
Mccormick in his place, effective
September I. Fire Commissioners
Henzler said he would ask that wages
for men on duty IL hours a day 1T
the fire hall be increased beyond the
$1OON month salary now paid.