Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-04-06
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE,.
The Matter Of Sewer1VentilatiOn


Editor Stdr.-Some time agosan article ap-
peared in TIE STAR in which the writer
claims that it would prove very injurious to
oors IN te psn
for ventiating house drains by connecting
with them ventilators, and by that means con-
the roof. He condemns this plan before giving
it the consideration it is well worthy OF, or
without suggesting any other means of relief.
fact, that sewer ventilation is carried on in a
manner. which causes more disease and
death in our own midst, than all other destruc-
neither the writer nor the public for that mat
ter, seem to appreciate or be aware of the
fact, that nine -tenths of the houses in the city,
have their rain spout connected directly with
the sewers, thus creating means by which
the gases generated in the sewers, pass with
out obstruction into the air. In most cases,
contents, at a point where they are immedi-
ately drawn into open windows: for instance,
take mansard roof, of which we have so
many, and in all cases, the principle branch of
the rain spout terminates Immediately beneath
a row of windows on the second floor thus
cny rns 81 hat 9o the
an atmosphere, of which there is none more
destructive to health. Owing to the location
of these rooms and the extremely warm
weather OF our summers, the occupants are
compelled, II they wish to breathe at all,
to leave their windows open night and day
Is it then to be wondered at that so much sick
form is necessary, and the first and most i'm
pOrtant step in this direction is to close the
channel through which these most abominable
be accomplished only by proper system of
trapping. and ventilation. The rain spOuts
should, in all eases, be connected with the
the inflow of gas beyond the point at which it
is placed in the drain pipe, making it impossi-
Ole iof any gases to either penetrate the house
cannot be accomplished by an ordinary mary, water
seal trap, as the water seal in this trap would
yield under the slightest pressure, which would
Of air blowing into the mouth of the sewer;
besides. it is well known fact that the water
IN these traLs gradually absorb these offensive
t tSSporS, b ana as soon as the water becomes
OIL into the house as rapidly as absorbed This
can be prevented by adopting trap with these
lour 4lantleS; FIRST, valve seal; second, a
water seal; third, connection for the rain
spout inside OF the water seal: and fourth a
VentllatOr which not only relieves the water
sea- from tbe pressure OF sewer. gas which
olnerWlse would be brought upon it, but makes
a perfect seal against espionage. This venti-
lator must be conducted either into a heated
chimney, and by this means, to a great extent
consume or destroy these gases before pass
ing into the air. or an independent pipe for this
purpose should be carried to the highest point
OF OF the ROOF, SO as to discharge the gases into
consideration greatly in favor of this plan is
that were it adopted it would not be necessary
LOT hOusehOiderS TO waste such large quantities
OF water as they are at present compelled to
do, in order to keep the water in the traps pure
From this source great inconvenience is felt
IN IN; many parts of the city, for the reason that
TINS waste reduces the pressure in
the water main to such an extent that
water Will not rise in most cases
above the second floor, and even on this floor
great scarcity is felt: Owing to the location
OF Washington and the small capacity of the
sewers much damage to property is caused
from Hooded easements which, during certain
seasons, are frequent. 1t is absolutely neceS
Sary that the trap should combine the neces-
Sary qualities of not only preventing these
evils. but also be an absolute proof agajDs.
Sypnonage. Speaking of syphonage, we should
feet, without ventilation, is preventative
against espionage or the rising of sewer gas
when body OF water is thrown suddenly into
q SOIL or waste pipe it eXertS two Influences
the one pulling and the other a driving.
ms volume of water forms a sort of water
everything after it. also as forcing plug, and
drives everything before it. When a soil pipe
IS air sealed at its foot by water trap having
no VentilatOr, where is the air in the pipe to
escape, excepting through intermediate traps?
Now trap, having double ventilation, and
placed at the foot of line of soil pipe, will en-
trely prevent the emptyng of these interme-
dlate traps by either the pulling or forcing
action, because the soil pipe having yentila
uOn between the water seal at the foot of the
pipe and the other traps, no compression of
air can take place, and Consequently no break
ing OF the water seals.
AS this is matter of public welfare and one
winch at present is not only agitatsd by the
press, but also by the leading scientists, SAM
iarlanS and the medical profession submit
these 1aetS to your consideration.
Respectfully yours, WE'D