The record-union., 1893-03-07
DR. NICHOLS, REpoRr.

Relating to the subject of better
sewerage system and q method of seWapa
disposal for the city, l offer the follow
ing: 1t IS admitted by all that our sys-
tenn OF open closets, vaults and cesspools
Is bad one, but owing to our annual
overflows and complete saturation of the
porous soil Of our city the bad effects of
said system are greatly modified, the re-
cedlng waters taking with them much of
the impurity held in solution.
Nevertheless, | believe a better svs-
tenn OF sewerage and disposal of sewage
can and ought TO be adopted. While the
sewers which we now have could be used
in connection with this new system. [ be-
| Heve 1t would be better to confine the
ones we nOw have to the purpose of
storm and surface water. For sewage
proper, contents of closets, ETC., a sepa-
rate system should be adopted, One
main from north to south rs far as Y
street, or possibly farther, on one of the
even numbered streets, with laterals con-
Meeting thereto, at the termination of
which should be sufficient reservoirs or
tanks 1or the reception of the sewage
From thence it could be pumped and car
rIed to some of the land lying south or
east OF the city and used by irrigating
said land or taken care of by filtration.
But the better plan If not too expen-
slYe) for the disposal of our sewage would
be by chemical precipitation, treatment
successfully used i'll cities in England
France, Germany and the Eastern States
After this method a comparatively clear
and harmless efiuent is produced, which
could be pumped into the river or allowed
to flow through the drainage canal with
out damage to either. The residue or
sludge could probably be disposed of to
farmers foG manurial purposes at a slight
or perhaps no cost.
The cost for chemicals here would be
much higher than in the cities referred
to, which might make the expense too
great. Inc chemicals mostly used are a
com mblnatlon OF Sulpbate of ammonia,
sulphate of iron and lime or lime alone.
AS we have no manufactures here. prob
ably the lime treatment alone would an
swer. Lime could probably be had here
in the quantities needed for from s. to
$40 per ton, which would not preclude it's
use. a ton for each million gallons of
sewage is required. The amount which
we would be required to handle would
be not less than 100000 gallons and pos
sibly 100000.
The expense attending the construc-
ton OF these new sewers and the neces-
sary building, tanks, pumps and ma
chlnery for treatment would be very con-
slderable-not less than 100000 and pos
slbly more-but the results in the COM
fort and healthfulness of our people
would well repay for all the outlay.
II believe it would be well for this
board to request the City Board of Trus-
tees to require the City Engineer to make
surveys, specifications and estimates of
cost of such Il system and have the same
put in operation as speedily as pos
sible."
VIEWS OF THE DOCTORS.
DR.. Nichols thought that if this embod-
led the main facts, as viewed by the
board, the report could be adopted and
prepared with more completion and then
submitted to the Trustees for their CO.
operation.
The report and the question of a new
improved or additional system of sewers
was discussed at great length and various
suggestions We're offered.
IL was the unanimous opinion of tho
members that it was high time for the
city to perfect its sewer system. but tho
question of the city's finances and the
approaching change in officials was con
sidered also. 90 O0ii-
Dr. Baldwin said the city was NOT in
position to raise sufficient money at nras-
ent 1or the provision of new system or
any great improvement of the one oh
talnlng tie thought if the plan of pro
Vldlng tanks for reeeptacies, where the
sewage could be sterilized and afterward
emptied into the river, it would be a great