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About The gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925 | View Entire Issue (July 16, 1914)
HOME ANT) FARM MAGAZINE SECTION THE FARM WATER SUPPLY By T. D. Beckwith, Bacteriologist, Oregon Agricultural College. MONG tae factors which keep us n neaitny, or which, if not carefully guarded, may cause sickness, noth ing is of greater importance than the lauuiy water supply. This is especially true on farms, for it is sonerallv found that municipal water supplies are purer wan individual wells, due to caro in construction and to watchfulness in v guarding them. Our bodies arc over ne-naii r.ater, and it is of the most Tital importance that this water which must be continually replenished be pur. If, in tho course nf vnta it becomes contaminated with disease germs, then one who drinks such water may contract the disease caused by the particular kind of disease germ which is in we water. It should be understood that water is never impure insofar as bacterial or germ content is concerned, unless there is some source of contamination to produce SLh results. Almost all dis ease are produced by certain kinds of . germs and these germs never generate spontaneously, when water is impure therefore it is an indication that there is some outside source from which the . imparity is being derived. Classification of Wells. Wells may be divided into two classes, namely deep wells and shallow wells! This difference does not depend so much ob the fact that the bore is of such fepth. from the top to the bottom, but rather by "deep well" is meant one whieh passes through some impervious i stratum or layer of soil or rock and taps a subterranean water supply Such watte- has been brought for a considerable distance under ground. Since such soil formation docs not allow direct percola tion from the surface the water which is obtained from such a well has slowly passed through tho soil for miles in many instances. By "shallow well" is meant one which is sunk merely a very little beloi tho levol of surface water, known more teehinedly as the "water table," and into this bole so constructed water from the near vicinity is allowed to seep. Water found in such a well, therefore, has come from the immediate neighborhood and almost always from within a radius merely of a few feet. It thus follows that water which is found in deep wells will bo quite thor oughly filtered from any bacterial con tamination which may have been in it. Watcrfrom snallow wells, since it has been filtered hrough comparatively , a few feet rather than miles of soil, may De lughly contanunat d. Because of the fact that deep w-lT water has per colated through much soil it will have had more opportunity to dissolve out certain soluble minerals, and, therefore is likely to be harder than water de rived from shallow wells. In consider ation of the above facts, if a deep well be properly cased so that seepage can not gain entrance through the sides by means of a leaky joint or a rusty hole, water from such deep wells may be expected to be disease free. Dangerous Shallow Wells. Much difficulty is found with the so called shallow wells. These many tines are merely holes dug in the ground irto which seepage of all kinds finds its way fr.m the adjacent soil. In a Jarge percentage of cases no attempt is made in construction to keep seepage water outside of the well either by use of an iron pipe, by concrete construction or brick wall set in mortar. Many farm ers believe that the only way they ean obtain a sufficient water supply by using the shallow well is to allow water opportunity to enter through the sides by seepage. . It should be understood that water in The Progressive Business College Broadway Building, Portland, Oregon. FLOUNCE RIDINGS, Prta't EDISON DICTATING MACHINE, COLUMBIA DICTAPHONE, SHORTHAND, BOOKKEEPING, TYPEWRITING, COMPTOORAPH, and Ml MODERN BUSINESS COURSES. Bates 15.00 pr Month to those entering Before September 1, 1914. a shallow well will be puro only when it has been filtered through considerable soil. Contamination generally finds its way into the water which is just below the surface of the ground, and the soil below this level removes such contain ination. It follows therefore that the logical point of entrance for water into tho well w at he bottom and that in digging and constructing such a well this point should be borne in mind. In order that tho water shall not bo roily as it comes into tho well at the bottom one snould place a few inches of coarse sand or fine clean gravel at the bottom of tho hole. From the abovo discussion it will also be recognized that in order to keep out seepage from the sides of the well the well must be thoroughly and tightly walled up by some method. As one stands by tho sido of an old well on a hot summer day and listens to the continual dripping of the water as it trickles down the sides of the well from the surrounding soil it may remind one of a clear and purling spring. But under no conditions should one allow the poetry of the feeling to overcome him. It is very likely that such trickling is produced by the wa ter seeping in from some near-by toilet, septic tank or kitchen sink. Curbing Around Well. In order that in case of heavy rains or possible flood the water may not flush over tho sides of the well hole and wash down into the bore it is also important that a curbing with embankment be placed around to divert such water and also to prevent the direct return of wa ter pumped out from the well, and which in maiiy cases is allowed to run off from the platform into the soil a few inches from the well and which from thence seeps directly back into the well hole. The return of such water to t.e well is just as dangerous as tho re turn of any other surface water to en ter the well. It is important also to remember that a tight cover must be placed over the well. It is better also if this cover is made of two courses of boarding, one laver placed at angles with the other in order than when wear occurs and cracks form, the holes, which will eventually be produced, may not allow solid matter or other kinds of contamination to fall directly through them into the water below. Such a cover also will keep frogs out and many kinds of insectf which deposit their eggs in the water or on the sides of the well, and the larvae of which pass through the first stage of their life in water. It is un pleasant to pump up tadpoles, earth worms, and insect larvae of various kinds in the water. It must be remem bered, too, that where the opportunity is given for such comparatively large a limals to find their way into the wa ter it is a very simple matter for plants as small as germs to find their way also. The water from the well should be clear and not too sparkling, and unless it is in a locality where sulfur com pounds are naturally found in the soil, one should always view with suspicion the so-called "sulfur water." It is worth rememberng that ns organic mat ter decomposes in many instances it gives off the same gas that is indicat ive of rotten eggs and that is therefore called "rotten egg gas." Sulfur in this form is an indication of contamina tion and very many of our so-called 'sulfur water wells" ae pools of filth as shown by laboratory examination. Also as organic matter undergoes bac terial decomposition it gives off a gas called carbon dioxide. This is the same gas that is used under pressure to give the Bparkle and fizz to soda water, and while a small amount is normally pres ent in all water if there be sufficient to produce sparkling, then there is a possibility that tho sparkle is caused by rotting organic matter which in turn indicates contaminated water. A clear water is not a pure water under all conditions by any means. Contaminated Water. As before stated water will not be contaminated with disoase germs unless there bo disease germs In the immediate vicinity, which in turn may contamin ate such water. Therefore it naturally follows that not all water found in bad ly constructed wells is contaminated with disease germs. The danger, bow- ever, in the use of Buch water, lies in the fact that it is impossible for any human being to tell how soon contamin ation may find its way to the near vicinity of such wells, and in turn find its way into the water. It is only an ordinary measure of wfety, so to con struct the well that the chances of con tamination may be as few as possible; then the water will bo kept puro even though there be some cause for con tamination not far away. Ou very many farms we find -fever of various kinds appearing annually, and upon careful examination we find that it is produced by drinking wator. The germs ars taken into the body and produce tho discp.se. The materials from the body during such disease pass to tho familj' toilet and from thence tho genus find their way into the well. This slow pass age of the bacteria from the toilet or septic tank to well may require some times as long as one year so that during the next season tho water being con taminated carries a recurrence of tho disease. The most important American diseases which may be carried in water aro typhoid, dysentery, diarrhoea and summer complaint. It is not intended that the reader shall understand that these diseases are carried by the water alone, but the statement is made that one of the most important agcecici bringing' about such dissemination is the family water supply. College Records. The records of tho Aericultural Col lege show that the water of fully one half of the shallow wells in the stato is contaminated with sewage germs. There fore, it is rnfit for human consumption. If one is in doubt as to whether or not the water supply in his particular well is safe, he may readily have it exam ined by using a clean bottle of about four ounces capacity and a cork, boil ing them both carefully for ten or fif teen minutes. Water should be pumped from the well until one is certain of not obtaining a sample which has been standing in the pipe. The spout of the pump should be clean and the hands of the one taking the sample should have been washed just previously with strong soap Buds and water. Handle the bot tle just as little as possible before tak ing the sample. The sample taken aa outlined above may be sent to the State Board of Health at Portland, or to tho Bacteriology Department of the Agri cultural College for examination. These tests are made free for citizens of the State of Oregon. TYPICAL ANDERSON BUNGALOW Are 700 coming to Portland! Why not buy one o( my Bungalows now! I will aell it to you on easy terms, and rent it for you. tor almost enough to meet your payments until you are ready to occupy it. I hare four Bungalows that MUST be Bold regardless of cost. My loss, your gain. Write me for description and location. ' TONY 0. ANDERSON S28 Chamber of Commerce Bldg. Portland, Oregon. $60.00 A WEEK AND EXPENSES That's the money you should get this year. I mean It. I want County Sales Managers quick, men or women who believe in the square deal, who will go into partnership with me. No ex perience needed. My folding Bath Tub lias taken the country by storm. Solves the bsthmg problem. No plumbing: no water works required. Full length bath in any room. Folds in small roll, handy as an umbrella. I tell you it's great I OKEATI Rivals S100 bath room. Now listen I I want YOU to handle your county. I'll furnish demonstrating tub on liberal plan. I'm positive absolutely certain you can get bigger money in a week with me than you ever made in a mouth before I KNOW IT1 TWO SALES A DAY 1300 A MONTH That's what you should get every month. Needed In every home badly wanted, eagerly bought. Modern bathing facili ties for all the people. Take orders right and left. Quick ales, immense profits. Look at these men. Smith, Ohio, got 18 orders first week; Meyers, Wise, S250 profit first month; Newton, lamornta, in tnree days. You should do as well. 2 SALES A DAY MEANS $300 A MONTH. The work is very easy, -ileasant, permanent, fascinating. It means a business of your own. r -v ' gjasjw-1 DEMON. 8TEATINO yW rURNISHED H. 8. 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If you determine on a certain policy and have the ability to put it in execution, and stick to it long enough, the public will place reliance in your work. Thus it is with the Bush & Lane Piano Co. Proof of piano making, skill and constant adherence to an artist io ideal, have given the public absoluto confidence in the makers of the Bush ft Lane Pianos and Player Pianos. A fair value for your old Piano or Organ in exchange. Satisfaction or Money iietunded. i Bush & Lane Piano M.K 'TATABTTrWOTOW HTTMVET Portland. Oregon. .A a.0' MANTJF AC TUEERS WHOLESALERS W RETAILERS JVJ1 House of Originality