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15
water. The Grand Junction Water Company
erected stand-pipes, but the number was quite
insufficient, and as the frost continued matters
became worse after the first week in February.
On February 10th I addressed a letter to the
Water Company, calling their immediate attention
to the danger to health which might arise from the
scarcity of water; nearly all the connections were
frozen and the majority of houses were without
any water. The staff attending the stand-pipes
was quite inadequate. After a few days many of
the stand-pipes became useless, the water being
frozen in the mains. At the Council Meeting of
February 11th, the Surveyor was instructed to
supply water, using the water carts, 4 or 5 in
number. The water was taken from hydrants,
which in some roads were still unfrozen. In this
deplorable condition the district was placed for
over two months. After the thaw set in, the
mains burst, and the whole system of water supply
was disorganized. I have to congratulate the
Council on the prompt measures they took, without
regard to expense, to alleviate the sufferings of
the inhabitants. Even so, it was only procurable
to furnish a very limited supply considering that
the absolute wants of 11,000 people had to be met
by means of cartage. When at last water was
obtained, measures had to be taken to cleanse
sewers and drains which were in a foul condition,
in order to avoid any injury to health. Printed
instructions for this purpose were circulated and
disinfectants distributed. During the frost special
attention was paid to the sanitary arrangements in
the schools, where the drains were regularly
flushed with water and disinfectants.
The pitiable state to which this district was
reduced, was entirely due to the shallow depth of
the mains, which were in many roads only a foot
or even less below the surface. I am glad to see