council rooms to build a new water tower. The sum was $3,250. The P. E. Lane Iron & Bridge Co. was given the contract to erect a ninety foot tower and a 100,000 gallon water tank, both steel. Much of the material used had been part of the fire protection for the World's Fair of 1893 in Chicago. The work was hindered by bad weather that winter, and in April, after much of the scaffolding was erected, it was blown down in a storm. The work dragged. In October, 1895, the Illinois Central took down its water tank in El Paso to begin using exclusively the one north of Panola. Lane's workmen were not paid, so both businessmen and laborers threatened to levy on the unfinished tower.
In February, 1896 an agreement was reached with Lane and the city took over the tower "as is," and paid all the outstanding bills. Keiser Van Leer of Bloomington supervised the completion of the work, the cost to the city being about the same as originally planned. The 480 ton tank is 100 feet from the ground and holds 3,734 barrels when full, more than expected. The old wooden tank had produced twenty-six pounds of pressure in the mains; the steel tank produces forty-five.
Water meters were first installed in 1907. Prior to that time rates were computed on the number of taps, and the amount used made no difference in the rate. Increased water consumption made drilling a new well necessary, and August 2, 1926, the council awarded E. H. Johnson & Son of Bloomington a contract at $8.50 per foot, including piping, screen to be extra. The well was successful and drilling stopped September 10, 1926 at 118 feet. The total cost was $1,067. The council then had the same company put down a four-inch test hole west of the pump house, and if they struck water they were to drill a ten-inch well at $5 per foot. They reached a strong water vein at 118 feet on October 26, 1926, unquestionably the same vein but the two wells provided double pumping capacity.
The council then enlarged the pump house to include the new well and purchased a pump from the Aurora Well Works completely installed for $2,773, on May 16, 1927. El Paso has adequate water and adequate pumping facilities to meet any reasonable emergency.
The construction of a water softening plant was authorized by the council May 21, 1945. The water is extremely hard and the plan was advocated by many for some years prior to its adoption. A bond issue of $64,000 was authorized on August 20, 1945; this was to construct the water treatment plant, extend the mains so dead ends would be eliminated, install an engine drive unit in well No. 2 and to provide meter repair equipment and parts. The 3% bonds were to be paid from water revenue only.
Warren & Van Praag, Inc., of Decatur were the consulting engineers, and the Barnes Bros. Contracting Co. of Washburn were given the contract to build the tan brick veneer building to house the water softening plant. It was erected at the corner of Front and Walnut Streets at a cost of $22,472. The treatment and pumping equipment
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