Kankakee Valley Post, Volume 8, Number 18, DeMotte, Jasper County, 31 March 1938 — Farm Topics [ARTICLE]

Farm Topics

WELL OR CISTERN NEED NOT BE OPEN Should Seal Water Supply to Keep Out Dirt By R. R. Parke. Extension Specialist in Agricultural Engineering, University of Illinois.—WNU Service. Ninety per cent of the wells and cisterns supplying drinking water on farms are unsafe largely because they are not sealed against outside contamination. It is a false idea that wells and cisterns should be left open to aerate the water and keep it pure. Open wells permit surface dirt and contamination to enter the water supply. With the possible exception of underground gasses coming through water wells, there is no logical reason why a well or cistern should not be sealed tight after it has been properly cleaned out and chlorinated. , Some people falsely believe that the old style chain purpp aerates the water and makes it better for drinking purposes. If a well or cistern gives off an odor it is usually a sign of contamination which air will help very little if at all. In such cases, rather than throwing the well open to more contamination, immediate steps should be taken to treat the water supply. Broken well tops, tops’ containing loose or broken boards; and sides loosely constructed of stone or brick are avenues through whijch contamination enters water supplies. Correction of these faults lies in providing good concrete covers, improving drainage around the well and providing a filter and treating the water. Furthermore for a small sum every rural home could have water in the kitchen With a simple pump, sink and drain.