The record-union., 1891-06-09

canal, to keep out the back water from
the Mokelumne.
1t is claimed that the ebb and flow of
tide would compensate for the absence of
fall, but it is also evident that the success
ful operation of the canal would be from
time to time suspended during the winter
months. AS part of any scheme that
may be proposed it has been suggested to
intercept Willow Slough. and by carry
ing its waters directly to Sims Lake, pre-
vent them reaching the Pocket" II
feasible, this would materially lessen the
amount of water to be removed. 1t there
fore seems extremely doubtful that any
treatment Of the canal will render it eff
fective during the rainy season. The re-
moval and prevention of accumulation of
sipage water can only be accomplished
by pumping.
The committee recommends that the
feasibility Of intercepting the canal at
point north OF the highland above Free
port, conducting the water by the most
direct course to the river level and there
pumping it into the river, be discussed.
4 canal for the purpose of draining the
present swamp below Oak Hall should
also be constructed, leading to the same
place. The cost of this work, It's Subse-
quent operation and maintenance, to-
gether with the maintenance OF the
drainage canal, down to the point of in
Perception, to be borne by all the parties
interested therein. The practicability of
diverting Willow Slough should be con-
sidered in connection with this plan.
The committee further recommends
that the city shall Immediately cease to
use the drainage canal for the discharge
Of sewage; that, pending a permanent
solution to the question of sewage dis
posal, the eiIluent at Sixth street be
pumped directly into the Sacramento
River at Front and Y streets. The COM
mittee, however, declines to commit it
self upon the question whether the dry
ing out Of the canal and saturated soil
will not be more dangerous than the
present condition, or whether the proper
time to begin pumping would not be the
commencement of the rainy season; that
for this purpose the present pump be
utilized, and that a new end more power
ful pump be procured and located at the
same point or at one nearer the river. 50
as to etfoctually discharge any volume
that may be conducted TO it.
The committee, while aware that the
water of the Sacramento from this city
to Suisun Bay is not used for drin king
purposes by the inhabitants along its
banks, and that the addition OF this
small quantity of modified sewage will
not perceptibly deteriorate the great
volume Of water with which it will mix,
at the same time deprecates the dis
charge of untreated sewage into fresh
water stream. The committee regards
this step as temporary and as the only
immediate remedy for the unfortunate
conditions at present existing, and urges
your honorable body to at once take
steps to ascertain the best means Of pro-
viding permanent facilities for sewage
and sewage disposal in Sacramento.
? The committee, while urging immedi-
ate action looking to the abatement of an
existing nuisance, desires at the same
time to refute the statements of alarmists
as well as the unwarranted observations
Of persons who have not informed them
selves upon actual conditions. 1t is true
that our limited sewerage system is in
herently defective and imperfect in its
operation; that one method of discharge
is insanitary and unscientific in creating
a nuisance, and that many nuiSances eN-
ist undiscovered or unabated. 1t is
grossly untrue that we are in a fearful
condition, that our soil is a fostering mass
of corruption; that we are from these
causes liable to the outbreak of virulent
pestlence, or that we are living over an
epidemic volcano.
1t is equally untrue, in the light of our
present knowledge, that cesspool or sew
ers, however full, will produce diph-
iberia, typhoid fever, cholera or any other
specific disease requiring for its propaga-
ton a particular contaginal. The death
in salubrity by but few in the United
States, in support of which some figures
may be adduced. For the four years end
ing December 81, 1880, the rate on an esti-
mated population Of $4,000 has been All.
and that from Symotic diseases 2.27. Dur
ing this period the total number OF deaths
from diphtheria has been 60 or a yearly ay-
erage Of 10. giving rate of .05 thousand
The total number of deaths from typhoid
fever has been 81, fixing a yearly average
of 1925, and a rate of .G5 plus thousand
There has been no real epidemic of
Zymotic disease since 1861, when small
poX prevailed; the nearest approach be-
ing the prevalence of euteric fever in the
fail of 1888. In estimating on death rate
it must be borne in mind that in common
with all large centers of population and
trade, we are debited each year with a
number OF fatalities amongst non-resi-
dents injured or taken sick abroad
The reasons for our immunity are
First-A good water supply. Second
The porous character of our soil and the
ebb and flow of the ground water. The
water supply of the city, while suscepti-
BILE of improvement, is very good, and,
indeed, infinitely better than that of
many larger cities. 1t is beyond our
power to pollute this supply, and what
ever conditions may obtain within our
limits they cannot affect the water used.
lS,
is rendered far less harmful when it does
not involve the water supply. The city
is partially severed from Front to Thir-
teenth streets. In this area, owing to the
absence of laterals and the existence of
other connections and outfallS prior to
the construction of the present system,
only portion Of the houses connect with
sewers.
Under the law there can be no direct
connection with a sewer, an intervening
cesspool being provided. Within the
area severed, and where connections are
obtainable, these vaults must be water
tight, an overflow for liquid matter being
arranged into a main or alley sewer.
When properly cared for by ventilation
and regular cleansing, these receptacles
are in no sense dangerous to health. The
greater number of vaults are so built as TO
allow of the free percolation of their con-
tents into the surrounding soil, no over
flow being available. Here, in the porus
character of our soil and the presence of
the ground water, lies our protection.
When the river is high the ground water
rises, receding as the river falls. This
ebb and flow exercises an important
cleansing action upon the soil. Under
proper conditions, as regards cleansing
and ventilation, these vaults have not
proved menace to health. The imme-
diate need of the city is for drainage, so
e'S " "NoAO lAS cLohlliS VI sewers during
storms and the consequent flooding of
our streets. An equally imperative need
is sewerage facilities for manufacturing
industries that may be established. This
will be appreciated when it is understood
that almost the entire flow in the Y-street
sewer is furnished by three breweries and
q winery. JAMES II. PARKINSON.
Chairman
III. WEINSToCK,
d. FALCoNER,
JOHN RYAN,
II. b. NIELSEN,
A. NJ. SMITH.