A PROBLEM IN MUNICIPAL WATERWORKS FOR 
A SMALL CITY. 
BY JOHN L. TILTON. 
The problems of a municipal water supply, not only for 
fire protection but also for domestic use, are important ones 
confronting numerous towns in Iowa. The attempt to 
solve those problems at Indianola presents features of 
general as well as local value. 
After the drought of 1894-5, when not only the cisterns 
and shallow wells but even the rivers went dry, the city 
voted to put in a system of waterworks. Since bonds to 
the full amount allowed by law had already been issued on 
an electric light plant, the city was unable to become the 
sole owners of the proposed plant; but arrangements were 
made with a waterworks company in Chicago, whereby that 
company undertook the work with the city nominally the 
owner. The method of procedure in the early part of the 
work was a good illustration of how not to proceed. It 
was assumed that the nearest supply that was sufficient in 
quantity was also satisfactory in quality, and the work 
begun was continued regardless of the fact that it was 
soon found that the water was a mineral water. I am not 
aware of any attempt to learn what the minerals in solu- 
tion were and what effect their presence would have on 
the acceptance of the water by the public. The committee 
and the parties from Chicago went ahead as if a plan which 
worked all right in some other places would prove satis- 
factory at Indianola whatever the conditions. After the 
work was completed opponents of the measure tested the 
contract at law and proved the arrangements relating to 
ownership illegal. Because of this decision the Chicago 
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