126 The Water of Artesian Wells— Hewitt. 



As to the chemical composition of the artesian or drilled wells 

 in Minnesota, the analyses afford some important conclusions not 

 in accord with the pre-conceived notions of those best qualified to 

 judge. 



Those analyses and the average analysis of seventy-five good, 

 ordinary wells in the same districts as the drilled wells (taken from 

 the records of the State Board Laboratory) are given at the end of 

 this paper. * 



Studied from this side, it appears (in graius per Am. gallon) 

 that the ''total solids" are: drilled wells, 29,590; common wells, 

 24,791. Loss by ignition: drilled wells, 3,439; common wells, 

 4,136. '^Chlorine" di-illed, 1,680; common, 1,005. "Oxygen 

 used:*' drilled, 0.0707; common, 0.0687'. "Hardness total:" drilled, 

 16.6 degrees; common, 14.50 degrees. "Permanent hardness:" 

 drilled, 4.4 degrees; common, 4 degrees. "Removable hardness:" 

 drilled, 12.20 degrees; common, 10.5 degrees. 



The differences are so slight that in the present state of the 

 inquiry they may be ignored. Both are good domestic supply 

 waters. 



A comparison of drilled well waters by region shows some 

 dift'erentes worthy of note: (In estimating permanent and remova- 

 ble hardness, the averages represent the majority but not all of 

 the waters. This determination was not made in a few of the 

 early analyses.) 



The marked character of the Red River Valley series indicates 

 clearly the geology of the district, as do those of the Minnesota 

 River Valley. The majority of the Mississippi River Valley 

 specimens came from cities, and do not perhaps fairly represent 

 the averages of the whole district. This work is going on steadily 

 in the Laboratory of the Board. This paper was written to an- 

 swer the frequent inquiries as to the prospect and character of the 

 "drilled well" water supply. As these statistics show, it has been 

 favorable, and the drilled well may yet solve the question of water 

 supply for families and smaller towns, if not for cities in Min- 

 nesota. 



