Water Supply: the Present Practice of Sinking and Boring Wells With Geological Considerations and Examples of Wells Executed

"Water Supply: the Present Practice of Sinking and Boring Wells" by Ernest Spon is a guide from the 1800s, that teaches the science and engineering of building water wells, explaining how to find the best spots for drilling. It shows that wells are a safer option than getting water from rivers or lakes, which can be dirty. Good geology knowledge is presented as a way to reduce expenses and improve water collection. The writing emphasizes how failing to incorporate geological science leads to water sourcing failures, with situations presented where money was wasted on wells that yielded minimal amounts of water. The work establishes the context for the technical and engineering conversations that will follow, focusing on how to obtain clean water using effective and efficient engineering methods informed by geological understanding.