-A Suggestion -
Water is Eureka’s most essential and vital need. That was the theme of the following article Mr. R.E. Teichgraber wrote in The Eureka Herald in 1922.
“Not just water but pure water. Eureka is paying about all the tax she wants. We have hired high priced engineers and experts and have built dams and monuments. What have we today? Nothing but debts and no water.
“We have two and three men on the payroll to look after the pumping and we buy the power and extra pumps and motors and let out boilers and steam pumps rust. Why? Because someone talked the mayor and commissioners into saving expense.
“This water works plant can be run and kept in first class with two men at a salary of $125.00 and $85.00 respectively and a coal bill of $180.00 maximum. In other words, $380.00 per month would be sufficient to keep this plant in running order.
“Where is our savings? Besides our city owned plant is going to waste and no water in the standpipe ( this is the one north of the hospital) and what there is, is not fit to drink.
“We know without doubt that this city or south of this city is underlaid with a gravel bed at least a mile square between Fall River and Spring Creek which represents a lake of pure water. This lake of water was tapped at the highest point across from the pump plant station and it has proven the theory correct.
“There our water has been pumped from for years, but in dry times like this year the water level went down and consequently there was not enough water in the wells to supply the town. The idea then was to build a dam which is alright as long as there is no mud and slime in the river. Every time the river was up a foot or two there was two feet or more of water in the wells. Now we have about two or three feet of mud in the river and consequently no water in the wells.
“What should have been done was to go down to the lowest level of the lake of water, first by sounding over the fields and if correct, then a trial well which will prove right or wrong and we have no doubt of it as we have watched it for 30 years. To prove this in 1913 when everything was dry this lake was ever flowing west of the city park. Both news editors were invited to see it but neither thought it was worth mentioning. We also called up the mayor and stated that we could throw a 4-inch stream of pure water into the city main inside of 4 days. We never heard any more of it. Instead of this they went up the river about a mile and a half and found a pool of stale water they could see and tried to pump it down the river without much success. At last, a mile of pipe was laid and the water pumped into the mains, dirt and all. Then a filtering plant was in order and all the wise men got together and built a monument which speaks for itself. How much money was wasted the books will show.
“Within 60 to 80 rods of the station lies the best lake of pure water which can either be connected with the deep well by laying a dead line or lay pipe for three blocks and pump into the mains direct. Pure water. We had Mr. Carl Bower an engineer with a lot of practical experience look over the ground and he stated that there was no doubt in his mind that this is the best water and estimated enough water for two such plants.
“Why not try it? This city must have water and pure water. We have it and lots of it. All we ask is to sound the depth of this gravel bed in this lake. We won’t need any imported engineers, we have paid the price for their knowledge, all we need is common sense and not listen to any more men that can save us money. We have had enough or should have had. Dismantling our pumps and installing those of the Eureka Light Co., and making a scrape pile of the city property. The worst of it is about 50 per cent depreciation on our city property. We are paying a double rate for the juice for pumping besides 8 per cent interest and 4 per cent depreciation. That is called saving.
“We own our own boilers and pump house. Two good boilers with a capacity of over 250 H.P. Two good pumps each one capable of keeping the town supplied. We have two and three men on the payroll. What for? To work and watch of course. Why not buy a car load of coal and start up and quit working and watching someone else’s pumps and motors and put fire under our own boilers. If we have to have electricity, we have enough steam power to generate enough juice to light every street and alley.
“An engine and generator could be added for about $6,000. We would not have to wait on rates from the Light Co. and the juice could be produced for 1 cent per K.W.H. in connection with water.
“If the city should find by sounding the field over there, the theory is correct, we agree to help plan a system that will solve our greatest and vital need, pure water, and we will further agree to donate what ground is needed for such as reservoir, wells, etc., to complete the best water system. We ask only one thing and that is that the water works of the city should be operated by this city owned steam or electrical power.”
