ARTESIAN WELL PROSPECTS IN THE ATLANTIC 
COASTAL PLAIN REGION. 
By N. H. Darton. 
INTRODUCTORY. 
In the Coastal Plain region of the Atlantic Slope there are no large 
supplies of potable surface water. The great rivers which traverse the 
region are either tidal estuaries or are widely bordered by swamps, and 
the water of their local branches is often of bad quality. The cities, 
situated at intervals along the western margin of the region, obtain a 
plentiful supply of excellent water from the rivers in the highlands to 
the west, but out on the Coastal Plain surface waters are mainly used. 
Malarial diseases prevail in varying degree over the greater part of 
the region, and as medical opinion is largely agreed that these diseases 
are taken into the system in drinking waters, the hygienic importance 
of pure water is very great. 
Fortunately the region has a geologic structure particularly favorable 
to the accumulation and flowage of underground waters, and many 
streams of pure water are known to exist at moderate depths. These 
have been tapped by numerous wells, and water supplies of the very 
greatest economic and hygienic value have been obtained. The cities 
of Brooklyn, Charleston, and Savannah have wells which yield mil- 
lions of gallons per day, and there are several hundred wells which 
supply smaller settlements and individuals. 
During the past six years I have been engaged in a study of the 
Coastal Plain region, mainly its central portion, and have given special 
attention to the question of subterranean waters. Lately my observa- 
tions have been extended to Long Island on the north and to eastern 
Georgia on the south. Although my special investigation of subter- 
ranean waters is not far advanced, it is thought that a preliminary 
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