Colfax's Endless Search for Pure Water

The prospects for pure water for Colfax are good, said Councilman J. R. Good. Several proposals for boring artesian wells will probably be submitted to the council on June 4. Jacob Arrasmith expects to submit a proposition to bore an artesian well on his farm, four miles east of town. He intends to sink at least 1,000 feet, unless the needed flow of 200,000 gallons of water each 24 hours is found at less depth. This he will do at his own expense, the city to buy the well and land if successful. There is a fall of 80 to 100 feet, sufficient to give an excellent gravity system to the reservoir. It is estimated that it will cost $20,000 to lay the pipe to carry it. This would save the constant expense of pumping. G. H. Sutherland of Walla Walla also expects to submit a proposition for sinking an artesian well up Spring Flat, within three miles of town. The cost of pumping, $2,400 a year at least, which is now found so burdensome, and which will come with the regularity of house rent so long as the present system is maintained, would be decreased at least half if a gravity system is obtained. It is an undeniable fact that Colfax needs a pure and undefiled water supply.