Q. A well is so situated with regard to a privy and cesspool that I am persuaded its water is contaminated from those sources. How can I prove it? I think I have read somewhere of a color-test, applied by introducing some color into the cesspool, and having the same color shortly appear in the water. I don't care to apply the chemical test, as it would not convince the parties using the well-water.

A. Clean out the cesspool thoroughly, then empty a barrel of coarse salt into it, and put in some water. A saline taste in the well will then indicate contamination from the cesspool.