By the end of the month, the Wichita Pump and Supply Company had been hired to drill test holes in Harvey, Reno, and McPherson counties to determine the thickness of the beds and to sample the underground water for analysis. Through some 97 test holes and other studies, the survey obtained information about the geological formation of the Equus Beds, along with the extent of subsurface strata. It was also used to determine the amount and quality of water available, to measure the draw down effect of the drilling in order to predict the effect on local wells, to develop recommendations for locations and distribution of permanent wells, and to study the potential for future contamination of the supply. It was an extensive and thorough investigation, and by March, 1939, the funds in the joint account were exhausted and the various agencies withdrew from the project. At that time, the city hired a trained geologist who continued the research.

At this stage, it is appropriate to explain the history of the Equus Beds. The name for the basin originates in the Latin word for horse, "equus." Prehistoric small horse skeleton fragments and fossils were found in the bed deposits. A description is given in The Story of Water, published by the Wichita Water Department in 1972.

"Geologists have determined that the area was formed as a result of glacier action, which carved out the earth, leaving a relatively impermeable shale bowl which slowly filled with sand and gravel. As rain fell in the area, it was held by the shale bottom, thus forming a natural underground reservoir."

In 1896, Newton, Kansas, wanted to obtain the division point of the Santa Fe railway. The officials of the line told the city they would transfer the division point from Nickerson to Newton if Newton could guarantee an adequate supply of water. Dr. Erasmus Haworth, dean of geology and mining at the University of Kansas, was summoned to analyze the area for water. He was already reasonably certain that a vast quantity of water existed underground a few miles west of the city, and, through unknown analysis methods, he predicted an abundant flow if Newton would dig a well. His suggestion proved accurate and, in the spring of 1897, the city voted a $50,000 bond issue to develop a well field in the Equus Beds, the first of many Kansas cities which would eventually do so.

Over the next half century, the beds were constantly studied and analyzed. In 1913, Haworth published a special report on well water in Kansas in a Kansas University bulletin. He commented, "The most interesting and valuable area well supplied with water ties in the vicinity of McPherson and Newton. ...One is led to believe that the Smoky Hill River at one time passed this way from a little below Marquette and entered the Arkansas near Halstead, and that it had a valley to the north of Halstead, from 20 to 25 miles wide. It seems that this valley has become entirely filled with debris...and therefore becomes a most important catchment area for water, which works its way down through the porous material to the Permian floor. As this floor is almost level, and as the water in the Smoky Hill River near Marquette is substantially on a level with the Arkansas River near Halstead, there is little tendency for the water to move in either direction." (Eagle, 9/29/40).

In the early 1930's, the area was again considered as a source of supply for the city. Wichita Magazine reported on September 30, 1931, that the rainfall from a "large part of four counties finds its way into this basin," referring specifically to McPherson, the western part of Marion, Harvey, and eastern Reno counties. It continued, "The Equus Beds are equivalent to a lake of water 20 feet deep, 20 miles wide, and 40 miles long, all of which is available to Wichita and neighboring towns if needed." Raymond Moore's report in 1925 provided a backbone for the future studies of the area. Evidence clearly indicated a large supply of good quality water was available to the city.

During the geological survey of the basin, the city took additional actions to acquire federal aid. After the survey was approved, the engineering firm of Black and Veatch was hired to handle the technical requirements for the planned project. The Black and Veatch firm had descended from the firm of J.S. Worley, which had performed extensive studies for the city in its negotiations with the Water Company beginning in 1910. Worley had been joined in 1911 by E.B. Black, forming Worley and Black Consulting Engineering, which in 1915 became Black and Veatch when N.T. Veatch joined. The remaining $2,000 of the city's original $10,000 appropriation was paid to the firm to prepare preliminary plans for obtaining soft water from the beds. In submitting its report to the commission on July 23, 1938, the firm had also prepared a financial grant application to the PWA for the project. And on July 25, the City Commission approved the application developed by R.E. Lawrence of Black and Veatch.

The total cost of the planned project was estimated at $2,425,000, with the federal Government to pay $1,091,250. The same night the commission passed the application, Wells sent it to the regional PWA office at Fort Worth, Texas.

The enacting legislation of the PWA had authorized its existence only until June 30, 1940. When the agency was extended, it developed tight time restraints on projects to insure completion. Throughout the initiation period of new project, the city constantly had to meet deadlines.

Once the Washington office reviewed the application for funds, the PWA, "eager to initiate projects which would bolster the sagging economy," agreed to provide the grant. (Corbin, 1972). Approval was contingent, however, upon the city providing for the issuance of bonds before October 1, 1938, to pay for its portion.

In order to meet that deadline, once the City Commission had received the city engineer's report and the preliminary costs, it passed an emergency resolution on August 22, 1938. A special election to be held on September 27 would authorize $1,333,750 in general improvement bonds to pay for the city's 55 percent share of the plan. In addition, an ordinance authorizing and directing the calling of the election was passed. Since by law 21 days notice had to be allowed for special elections, and the vote had to be taken by October 1, the normal procedures could not be followed. The resolution declaring the situation an emergency was necessary to allow the ordinance to be voted on in the first meeting.

With the speedy action of the City Commission, the PWA approved the application on September 16, 1938, and officially informed the city on the 23rd. It told the city officials that it would aid Wichita in financing the construction of a new soft water system, assuming the bonds for the city's portion passed in the election.

Once the election date was set, the city's campaign increased momentum. Wells, who had become quite an expert, spoke favorably on the proposal, but avoided any appearance of selling the plan. "The city's duty," he said, "is to offer the public the opportunity to secure softer water from the Equus Beds at half the cost of the project due to the federal grant and at a time when interest rates are about half normal... We will provide the public with all of the facts and let it be the judge." (Beacon, 8/26/38). Of course, since all the facts seemed to favor the plan, the city appeared to advocate the proposal.

Citizen groups, as well as the Chamber of Commerce, became strong supporters. Editorials favoring the project also appeared, along with heavy news coverage and ads from a citizen's soft water committee. All of the efforts concentrated on explaining the benefits, many of which had