City Moves to Solve Long-Standing Water Crisis
Walla Walla's City Council hires a Spokane engineer to secure the city’s future water supply, bypassing local land speculators.
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The first step of the new council to provide the city with an adequate water supply was taken last night by the selection of Otto A. Weile, an hydraulic engineer of Spokane, to examine and report on the city's available water resources. Mr. Weile was selected from a field of four engineers of repute, whose names were presented to the council by Mayor Hunt. His proposition to examine the city's water resources for $500 met the approval of the whole council. The mayor suggested to Mr. Weile that he secure information direct from members of the council or city engineer, rather than from outside sources, the idea being that parties who have land to sell may as well stand aloof in the present effort to secure for the city a water supply.
“The mayor suggested to Mr. Weile that he secure what information he desires direct from members of the council or city engineer, rather than from outside sources, the idea being conveyed that parties who have land to sell may as well stand aloof in the present effort to secure for the city a water supply.”
Securing a reliable water supply for the arid Palouse and Blue Mountain region remains a perennial civic challenge. Like the council of 1903, modern Walla Walla continues to weigh the pressures of private land ownership against the public necessity of infrastructure development.
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