Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-03-28
THE INTERorprINe srwsR.

NSFhhE SeNEcr approved by tue
Citizens Association size md
Aength of the sewer--Hts Estimated
Cost ssh, 3D0.
The proposition to build an intarcepting
sewer Mt an estimated cost of SSi 600 was
unanimously approved at meeting OF thu
gitizens' Association held at the Builders
exchange Monday night. A plot OF the pro-
posed sewer prepared by the city engt-
neers was displayed on the bulletin board to-
gether with large map showing the pro-
posed complete sewerage system for the en-
tirecity prepared by Rudolph Herring sew
eral years ago. This system comprised an
intercepting sewer along the Brandywine
and one along the OhrIEtana, the two join.
Ing near the confluence OF these streams
and thence proceeding by means OF
one large sewer pipe, along the
line Of Eighth street to the Della
ware river. The estimated cost Of this
system, with lateral branches and flushing
stations, was 100000, but these figures
were too formidable for City Council and
no action was taken after Engineer Herring
submitted his plans. The latter were ex-
amined with much interest by many of
those present at last nights meeting.
The meeting was not go large 40 that OF
Friday night, but still was good-slzed-
about 60 being present--and represents
tive gathering. DR.. L. P. Bush presided,
with Q. Wesley Weldin as secretary. Street
and Sewer Director Joseph l.. Carpenter,
Jr., explained the project. He esid the
area that would be draiaed by the proposed
sewer comprieed 500 acres, or go
acres exclusive Of ths streets. With an
estimate Of 100 population to the acre, this
would provide for the drainage OF a popu-
lation OF $1,000. The new sewer would
start near Lowering avsnue and Scott street
and proceed to Crooked Run, thence to the
Rattlesnake Run sewer, and thence along
the south side OF the south long race to the
foot of Valiant street, at Sixteenth. The
length, from Rattlespake Run 10 Sixteenth
and Walnut, Is 5,325 feet, and the fall 10
French street is 8 feet, or foot 10 63l. The
proposed eize Is 8 6 ft.x2 4 It. TO Jackson
street, and for the remaining distance,
SO ft.x2 Is It. Branches are proposed to
Gilpin avenue, to Delaware avenue, and at
Jackson and West streets. The estimated
cost OF the work, complete, according to
the city engineer, is ISL, 800. exclusive OF
land damages, but the right OF way has
been secured for nothing through all ex-
cept few properties near Market street.
DIR. J. A. Draper said that since bis con-
nection with the Board OF Health he had
| given this subject much attention, and he
saw no way Of escaping from the proposi-
| ton to build the sewer. The Water Com
missioners, he said, were convinced after
| investigation that the drinking water Is
|
at Rockland dam, but II all the impurities
| that now flow into the water are kept out
by means of the tntercepting sewer, the
water will be much better and purer. All
the washinRs from McDowellvllle, Forty
Acres, the Highlands, city railway stables
and the brewery now go into the drinking
| water. The sewer must be built, and the
sooner the better. 1t will be cheap II 1t
costs 100000.
Alfred Gawthrop, after speaking OF the
necessity OF the sewer. said 1t would form
| a portion of a complete system, whenever
a system Is put down here.
Mr.. Carpenter called on DR.. Shortlidge
for his Views, but the doctor said he WAS
opposed to emptying the sewage into the
Brandywine. as 1t would tend to destroy
the fish. In his opinion It should be con-
veyed TO the marshes and converted into
compost. Allen 5peaRman contended that
sewage was the best food In the world for
tish. The proposed sewer, no held, would
be the beginning OF sewer system, which
the city badly needed. There are now
eight miles OF sewers In Wilmington, but
no attempt at a system.
DR.. Bush spoke earnestly of the necessity
OF the sewer, as the contamination OF the
drinking water Is sure to produce sickness
and the evil Is getting worse every year.
Or. Draper referred TO the investigation
OF the typhoid fever epidemic at Plymouth
Pa, by a commission headed by DR.. E. o
Shakespeare, formerly of this State. Il
was found that the people affected were
those who received their water from 0
sparkling mountain stream. and on tracing
the stream few miles no, the drainage
and washings OF family afflicted with the
fever were found to be flowing into tine
water, and thus spreading the disease
through the town. AS to the Brandywint
water, however, DIR. Draper held that II
| xpaa not roiannad vat and that fhIa nitv had
never, to his knowledge, had an epidemic
of typhoid fever. The typhoid that prevails
here is due to other causes.
William M. CANDY inquired how the soak
age OF the ground would be provided for
and Mr.. Carpenter replied by means of {
French drain laid along the course O
the sewer. As to the money for The
construction OF the sewer. 1t was proposed
to use the surplus that City Council will
have on hand at the end OF the fiscal year
although Council had refused to allow tbs
money TO be used for this purpose.
President OF Council Farra said he dtt
not suppose any member OF the association
had approached the members OF Council
upon the subject. He believed that III 1
committee WIS appointed to walt on ooun
ell and present the subject, Council would
reconsider Its action and appropriate thu
surplus for the sewer.
James Bradford said he had bis fears
about this surplus existing, and that Coun
ell should be asked to borrow the necessary
money on bonds.
william M. Candy thought the Water
Department might devote some OF irs sur
plus to this work.
motion made by o. Wesley Weldin
declaring the sense OF the meeting TO bf
favorable to the building OF the sewer, wa
unanimously adopted. Also motion made
by Mr.. Farra, for committee Of five tt
cooperate with the Council and Street ant
Sewer Department ms to the ways and mean
for building the sewer. James Bradford
DR.. j. A. Draper, George G.. Lobdel. O
Wesley Weldin and Samuel N. Trump were
named as this committee.