The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-08-22
Tbe Sewerage rmproremen,s.

For several months past there has been much
agitation of the subject of Improving our sew
erage. Like every other topic discussed in pub
lie. there have been many extravagant state
ments made by persons who know scarcely any
thing about the matter in hand. AT the same
time there have been many valuable suggestions
made. The question to be solved was, what
was to he done to remedy the present evils.
The whole ground was carefully looked over by
Mr.. Goodwin, the civil engineer, and he discov-
cred that the condition of the mill pond was
much worse than the Back Bay ever was, and
he determined to commence work here. His
plan met the approval of the Mayor and the
Committee on Sewers, and work was commepc-
ed. The first thing was to NOW the PUSHES
which had grown up, completely hiding the
main water course. Then this course was clean
ed out and slaughtered, and today the water
runs through it as smooth as brook. When
the water course was established, then the sew
ers running into it were considered They
empted above high water mark, and the de-
posts from them rarely reached the main course,
Grove street sewer was first treated The ditch
through which it ran was cleaned up, having a
hard clay bottom. Mellen street sewer was
then extended nearly 200 feet to the main chan
mel. The extension was constructed of plank
and left open at the top, while side drains were
constructed to drain the fats through which the
open drain runs. The effect was as anticipated.
Where it was almost impossible to go six weeks
ago, even with rubber boots, now can be trav-
ersed with safety with low sheer.
A gentleman residing on Deering street in
spected this locality yesterday and was fully
satisfied that the evil in that vicinity was per-
manently remedied. The State street sewer
is being extended in the same manner, and the
High street sewer will come next in order. The
creek now runs down from High street sewer
behind the tannery and slaughter house, REM
edying the evil complained of there. Here the
natural flow of the water is stopped by the
dam at behring's bridge. 1t is now proposed
to commence sewer at the the upper end of
the Mill Pond or where the flow of water is
stopped by the dam, and run it through the
bridge, taking the deposit from the Green
street sewer, and then running it to the chan
neliat an elevation SO much below the level of
the base of the mill flow that it shall be impos-
sible for the sewerage water to enter the pond
again through the mill gates. This is simply
an extension of the main creek and will do
away with the question of purchasing the mill
privilege, and it will carry the water from
Grove, Mellen, State, High and Green streets
to the channel five hours earlier than it is
now conveyed. This seems like a very practi-
cal solution Of the Mill Pond problem and it
will no doubt be adopted at once.
All the sewers emptying into Back Cove are
being rapidly extended and when completed
majority of them will he covered with an hours
flood tide. These in brief are the improve.
ments made and to be made as observed by
reporter of this paper yesterday, and when
they are completed there will doubtless be no
further complaint but what the very best thing
has been done to improve our sewerage. AS
time progresses there will of course be more
extensive Improvements called for.