The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1890-07-17

at once perceive that four and Six inch
pipes are totally inadequate to bear of
ordinary house sewerage, more especially
when laid ut the grade Of one inch 10 the
hundred feet. which, for purposes Of
carrying the foul, sluggish stream Of sew.
erage Is practical dead level; also. that
of the Az "Y" branches or connexions,
so Of them are either ''six-by-three" or
'four.by-Ihrec." There is not a house.
holder upon the council but knows by
experience that a potato or two, turnip,
or any other refuse matter, such a. Is
daily dumped into a sewer from kitchen
sinks, will stop and clog these three inch
connections and render them useless.
The best authorities have read on such
subjects, also letters from engineers in re-
ply to my own asking for advice. and the
figures Of Philip Buehner, civil engineer,
and R. A. Jones, civil engineer, to whom
auI largely indebted for advice and
counsel, prove that eight, ten, twelve and
fourteen inch sewer pipes are necessary
to afford the required service for our city,
and that the krSGe should not be lass than
one foot in two hundred and fifty, grade
which the natural fell Of the ground in
this city very readily permits.
The l,lln Of the proposed system calls
for terra Gotta sewer pipe. The hes. Gd-
vice have been able 10 obtain counsel
me that common terra Gotta pipes are not
calculated to prevent tie noisome exha.
lations Of sewer EAs from rontaminating
the air and poisoning the inhabitants Of
North Yakima, and that nothing bnt the
best vitrifed, sAlt-glayed sewer pipe should
be used. Think enough is herein con-
tained to demonstrate the inadequacy Of
the method proposed and in view by the
council at the time Of the adoption Of or
dinanCe No. Ils. To quote the words Of
au eminent engineer, who, at my request,
made an careful investi .ation Of the pro-
posed system and sent an exhaustive re-
port thereon:
More man-holes than necessary.
Lamp-holes useless. Nearly all sewers
have the wrong direction; they should
run north ard south to best accommo-
date the house. Grade of one inch in
one hundred feet is very Inadequate for
such sewers. Six.inrh sewers not advis-
able. Fcur-inch sewers absolutely worth
less for public drainage. Three-inch ''y's"
practically worthless. Sewers have to
Overcome a grade from Second to Front
street Which isurnecessary. Terra Gotta
/ pipes unfit for Fewe.s; should be sat
glazed, vi:rifed pipe. Worst Of all, no
ansh tanks; and considering the grade
recommended, would result in a total
failure Of the whole system" Enough Is
certainly contained in above quotations,
from the report of Specialist" on sew
eTagc to at least cause you gentlemen to
pause and investigate before proceeding
to bury thousands Of our citizens money
in hap-hSEard manner in the streets Of
North Yakima. By figures showing cost
Of material, freight, excavating and en-
gineering, the above conclusions might
be specifically substantiated, but as
suredly these general suggestions are suf-
ficient TO prove:
First-That the proposed system Of
sewerage Is utterly inadequate.
Second-That the ordinances calling
for tl0,0W worth Of bonds must be re-
pealed; others enacted and q vote Of the
people on the proposition Of an Issue not
10 exceed $GO,UO0 Of bonds had. or else
the diStrict proposed to be severed must
be diminished.
This last am disposed to consider the
best course, but We should have an ex-
preston from the taxpayers on the pro-
position before the city government a..
sumes such a responsibility.
Further than this, the city can not af'
ford to take leap In the dark. The lit.
tie money thus far expended has by no
means been thrown away; 1t has stimu-
lated inquiry, and been the means Of &C
quiring for the City, much valuable in
formation on this alI-important question.
We now know what to do-6rst, care.
fol survey should be made Of the pro-
posed district to be severed; plans and
specifications drawn and made on q
working basis lin this connection am
glad to be able 10 recommend to the city
Philip Buehntr, G. E., and R. A. Jones,
C. E., two Of the best sewerage engineers
in the northwest, and the city VIII be
fortunate Ii able to secure their serviceSl
these plans TO be Of such character as to
consider future additions 70 the system
as the growth Of the city may require.
Second-Esiimate Of cost on such plans
(inclndipg cost Of ouslst 10 the Yakima
river), this estimate Of cost to include
the whole district embraced In ordinauce
No. sIIS, and also another estimate for a
much Of the thiekly populated portion oI
said district as can be severed hy ouI
present bond issue, 10000. Third
That II found possible to construct with
our means, the contract be let to the
lowest responsible bidder Giving bonds
for faithful performancel and under the
supervision and 10 the entire satisfaction
Of an engineer selected to periodically ru'
pervise and inspect the work. Fourth
That twenty per cent Of the contract
price should be retained until the whole
system has been completed and In use