1893-1894 - The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

APPENDIX. 223
if the filter has proper care it will not be essential to do it each year.
Care should be taken to close all apertures in the cistern in such a manner
that vermin, ground water leachings, or any other impurities will be
positively excluded. The roots of certain kinds of trees have a great
propensity to seek water, and will find their wa^' through brick-work if
there is the smallest crevice to give them a chance to force an entrance.
Cisterns are sometimes built partially or wholU' above ground ; also
rectangular in form with vertical sides and covered with a circular arch.
The filter is also frequentl}* built above ground and at a distance from the
cistern, the water being conducted thereto in a duct made of brick or by
iron or earthen pipe. Great care should be taken in laying this conduit
to see that the joints are made perfectly tight.
Chain pumps are frequently used
for drawing water from cisterns and
have the advantage of thoroughly aerating the water, but as they are
necessarily placed directly over the cistern and require a large opening to
be made the danger of contamination from foreign substances getting
into the water is greatly increased.
The following is a fair estimate of the cost of a cistern of the size
shown on the plan, where the prices of materials are the same as those
quoted :
Three and one-half thousand bricks at $S.oo $28 00
Four barrels lime at 1.25 5 00
Three barrels cement at 3.00 9 00
Labor excavating, bricklaying, preparing filter
with covers, etc 30 00
Total
$72 GO
size.
The cost of larger ones would be somewhat less in proportion to the
After this paper had been read, Dr. Bahnsoii said :
" Following
out the plan outlined this morning, I will say that
this is a perfectly informal meeting, and we would be glad
to have all participate in it, and to ask any questions that
you feel disposed to ask."
Gentleman in the audience: "Mr. Chairman, I have
observed that you all seem to believe that malaria gets into
your system through water. Now, in ]iiy county here there
are a large number of citizens who believe that it is necessary
for you to put something into your system to keep the
malaria out. You know that we are afflicted with a large
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