The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-09-14
BETTER DRAINAGE NEEDED.
Inspector Desversers' Report to tt

Insp sctor Desverzers' Report to the
Citizens Sanitary Association.
Sanitary Inspector Desvergers In his
report to the Citizsus' Sanitary Association
public health committee, says in refer
| ence TO drainage in the vicinity of the city,
that while the new trunk in Bradley's
creek has improved the drainage consider
ably, the continued use of that portion of
BradleY's creek which is below the trunk
as a timber basin by the Savannah, Florida
andW estern Railway Company effects en- OBJ
struction OF the creek which prevents perfect
drainage of the low lands east of the city.
| A number of the smaller drains on these
low lands are very much INSTRUCTED with
vegetable growth, particularly those i'm
mediately south Of the Savannah Guano
! Company's works, aud along the east side
Of the Bilbo canal, in the same locality and
also in those between the Lawton plantation
avenue and the road bed of the Savannah,
| Florida and Western railway, and in the
brow ditch of the western slope of the city
northward from the Perry lane sewer.
He says the efficiency of all the
banks anc bitches Of the low lands
east of the city are seriously impaired by the
continued treadiDg over them of hoofed
! animals pastured on the lands. The road
sewer, which has been recently repaired by
the CITY. is already trodden down in places
by che dairy COWS and horses which stop to
drink the water of this sewer in passing to
ami from the pasture grounds of the Law
ton plantation.
de reports In reference to lands southeast
OF the city that the dry culture force of tue
city has been kept busy since the recent
neavy rainfall opening and cleaning the
drains In that locality, but that the serious
sobolng OF the soil after heavy rainfalls
viii never be obviated until additional and
| larger drains have been opened in the
vicinity. He says additional aud larger
drains are also needed in the sections be-
tween Lovers lane and Estill avenue.
The inspector says that along Lovers
lane aud Waters road and other places
where closed drains have been put 10, the
drainage is noticeably better than that of
districts dependent on open drains He
adds that there is O considerable collection
Of water in the burrow pits OF the Savan-
nah, Floriia aud Western railway and the
City ard Suburban railway near the city.
At the Intersection of the lines of these two
roads, between the White Bluff road and
Estill avenue, is a pond OF stagnant water.
The inspector says also that there is an
extensive area of territory around and i'm
| mediately south and southwest of South
| over junction which is in very bad condi-
ton owing TO TIE want of drainage, The
| proximity of this territory to the city :,
from which the prevailing south winds of
summer continually bring miasmatc ex-
halations, accounts for the serious affliction
OF the inhabitants OF the southern portion
OF the city with malariai fevers.
The attitude of the lands in this district rem
ders drainage al easy matter, but the fall
and natural drainage is toward the west and
and into the swamp behind the Springfield
plantation. The back dam of the Spring
field plantation effects an obstruction to the
natural drainage of these lands and the
canal from the Springfield plantation
swamp is not of adequate size co vent with
sufficient rapidity the water which collects
| behind this back dam during the
rainy seasons AS a consequence
the Springfield plantation low lands,
though not actually submerged, are from
time to time in sobby condition. Actual
suhmergence of these lands will result when
an increased volume Of water is thrown
into the swamp behind this back dam by
the drainage now inevitable Of these South
over junction lands and that therefore it
Is to be hoped that the move
| meat for a cooperation on the part
! OF the county commissioners with the city au-
| thorities for the enlargement of the Spring
field canal wiz result in an early enlarge
ment Of b5ttithe' canal and Musgrove creek
| trunk. as the exigency will soon be upon
the city OF providing vent for "a largely
increased volume Of water through the
Springfield plantation.