Rensselaer Republican, Volume 18, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 May 1886 — Protect the Wells. [ARTICLE]

Protect the Wells.

The idea that the water of our wells is the purest obtainable was long ago exploded. Well water may be pure, but its degree of parity depends wholly upon its distance from all filth. It is now admitted that in many soils both air and water travel very freely under the surface. Some are' so - porous and deep that water will easily settle through them and the bulk of the filth be retained on the top loam; and in such cases it may be, said that ordinary cultivation and the growing vegetation will absorb the objectionable element. Water in such localities is regarded pure and safe. But where wells are shallow and dug in ‘clayey or impervious soil, having near to or at their bottom an impervious stratum, they are likely to be receptacles for filth contamination for fnanv rods around. It does not follow that because the contents of sink drains soak out of sight that the deadly element therein is gotten rid of; it too frequently finds its way to the water which the family are prone to extol as the very perfection of purity. It is never safe to depend upon taste in this matter; if there is a source of contamination near the well, rid yourself of it without delay; at least do not rest content until you have had the water subjected to a thorough chemical analysis. Dr. Folsom, who was so long connected with the Massachusetts Board of Health, Lunacy and Charity, said that “it is impossible to say that a well is safe at any ordinary distance from a source of constant pollution of the neighboring soil, like a privy, cesspool, barnyard, etc. ” He further remarks that “there is always a risk,” and that “the ordinary privy should be abolished.” There is no doubt that many cases of scarlet fever, diphtheria, etc., often have their parentage in the cesspool. Typhoid fever, which has in so many cases been traceable to polluted wells, was some years ago found to be most prevalent in the rural districts. To provide proper sanitary measures will, to be sure, take a little time; but it need involve very little expense. Where there is an abundant supply of running water near by, underground drains will satisfactorily dispose of animal filth from a sanitarian point of view; but on the farm it is desirable to utilize this for fertilizing purposes, and an abundant supply of peat or ashes daily thrown into the vault, sink-drain, barnyard, etc., will keep noxious odors' fron the air. If you seek a rule as to how near a well may safely be located to any filth collection, know that if you describe a circle about the well as a centre, with a radius three times its depth, and if there is no cause of pollution within the circumference, the water is probably uncontaminated. —American Cultivator.