Sacramento daily record-union., 1883-09-22
tbs SEWAGE QUESTION.

EDS. RRcoRD'USIoN l think the sew
age question is simpler than supposed. You
do well of course to keep the drainage ques-
tion and disposal of sewage before the pub
lie; but since the grading of our city afforded
the ample fall to reach the garden lands be-
yond Y street, formerly called the 10.acre lots
the second main question is, Is it necessary to
| carry the sewage further? We know that
an attempt was made to carry it away down
by a channels to Beach'slake, or elsewhere, but
it has been long ago proved that that channel
is too sluggish, and pesiferous deposit has
been created, the noxious vapors of which are
OF course waited back to the city every time
we have gouth wind. On the other hand,
! the noxious vapors from China slough are
waited TO large part OF the city by every
northwest wind. China slough can and will
be filed, presune, as l believe the Board of
Health has made it imperative, and l street
must be regularly drained like any other part
of the city. But filling cannot he
resolted to below the city the cues
Of the sewage? To effect that same, I see
no alternative but pumping at great expense
into the river, regardless also of polluting
the water for domestic use at Suttervills and
elsewhere, and polluting the salmon and
other fisheries. l believe the Board of
Health long ago protested against that
method of disposal, and it ought not Co be
suffered.
Thiscity long ago protasted against Marys-
vile or Nicolaus thus polluting the river,
and we have no more right TO do it than the
Marysvillians. The conclusion is, as have
long ago advocated, that deodoriZing works
ab ka 10 hoIa A.,
no breedine-spot for cholera in or near the
community should be permitted Such
places must be blotted cut, no matter st what
cost; but the cost is very esslly ascertsined,
and 1t need not be so very great il pumping
into the river is not made part of it, while
in e few years, il farming experiments were
adopted meanwhile, the deodotized manure
would become marketable as valuable &C.
| cessory to market gardening. The question
of profit, however, is not reasonably called
for at present; the primary object is to get
rid Of the nuisance and danger to life; and
it, by and by. we can get set off OF profit
against necessary expense we shall feel
doubly enriched by adopting 8 scientific
method Of disposing of the sewage.
All that seems to be wanted IS deodoriZa-
tion, or an adaptation Of that part OF Capt
Liernur's system used in Europe, or that
part of the Pullman system which seems TO
be an adaptation of Capt Lisrnur's. If re-
csiving works were established below Y
street. so as to stop further exposed dis
charge, the present polluted soil will very
soon become iunoxious by natures process Of
rank vegetation utilizing the gases. The foul
stuff or waste from the gas works should be
connected with deodorizing works, and Tot
allowed to spread over the lands. The quss.
ton of earth closets in other parts of the city
where there are very few inhabitants to
block, is comparatively harmless. OF course
if any of the present city sewers are radically
defective, proper provision should be made,
but adequate discharge into receiver, with
proper works attached for deodOrization and
discharge. whether by steam or otherwise, is
the first thing needful. It cannot be expect.
ed that the sewers, however well planned,
are stopped as nearly at present. A. F. G..
Sacramento September Dist