The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1895-05-23
THE CITY'S BUSINESS
THE DOINGS OF THE CITY DADS
IN SOLEMN CONCLAVE.
PARK AVE, SEWER ACCEPTED.
The Report in Full of Civil Engineer Al
word, Who Examined the Much Dis
puted over sewer-Usual Grist
of Bills Allowed.
REGULAR MEETING.
May 20, 1895.

Called to order by Mayor Farr.
Present-Ald. Brister, O'DOnnell.
Zens, Schend, Head, Yule, McGiVern
and ChriStman.
On motion of Aid McGivern, the
reading of the minutes was dispensed
with to hear the report Of the civil en-
gineer, John w. Alvord, in regard to
Park avenue sewer.
To the Mayor and Common Council OF
the City Of Ken0shG:
GENTLEMEN accordance with
your instructions | have carefully eX-
amined the Park avenue sewer, enter
ing each manhole and examining each
section separately. | have also exam
med the specifications for the same as
we'll us the written charges as to poor
and improper workmanship and have
carefully compared the same with the
specification and the construction.
/ would make my report to you on
each charge in detail, quoting the same
in full as follows:
Charge LIST. "Much of the pipe was
laid in water. Much water was allowed
to run into the sewer while fresh and
before sufficient time had been given
for the cement to set and without wait
ing the length Of time specified in the
contract"
This and the 4th charge should be
considered together, as they are the
cause and effect.
Charge 4. Sewer is by no means
water tight; many places let in water
and quicksand.
PROFESSIONALLY the contractor was
at fault, as charged in fist charge,
otherwise there would have been no
large sand leaks in the sewer, but the
water would have seeped in through
the bricks, mortar and joints slowly
The results of his negligence are that
; the sewer has ABOUT two inches of sand
in the bottom which should be cleaned
out at his expense.
In regard to Charge some distinc-
ton is necessary. Large leaks which
admit sand as we'll as water are not
desirable Such leaks will, however
+ close themselves in time as the ground
water is lowered and the pressure from
the outside removed, and the only re-
Sulting evil is the accumulated sand,
which can be easily cleaned out But
all sewers will allow ground water to
. percolate through the joints and brick,
and this is one of their chief advan-
tages, that the ground water adjacent
is lowered, cellars dried out and ma
larious effects destroyed. 1t is evident
that when sewers are first constructed
this ground water will flow more rapid
ly than it will later. And recent tests
have shown that no cement joint is en-
r.; 1oC+o hoo6 IF f1y1o
teet of water, unless unusual and eX-
traordinary precautions are taken.
Sewers on the combined system, such
as you have adopted, are expected to
remove the subsoil water as well as the
sewage and rainfall and this is one OF
their chief advantages.
Charge ? says: Sheet piling was
too short and was drawn before suffi-
GENTLY filled to prevent caving. Sewer
was not sufficiently rammed or flooded,
in fact it Was neither rammed or flooded
to an extent of any value whatever"
If the above charge is true the III eff
fects on the sewer would appear in
throwing it out Of line or grade. And
as the sewer is everywhere in excellent
line and grade, ] do not see how it is
affected. The surface of the street ap-
pears to be in fair condition, though
doubtless more sandy than before the
construction.
Charge ) says: No sand was
screened. Some Of the sand taken
from the line OF the ditch in which tile
sewer was laid was used for the pur-
pose of cementing the joints Of said
| sewer"
The sand of which the cement was
composed appears to be good. 1t may
be remarked that clean, sharp sand is
quite as likely 10 exist III the trench as
on the lake shore.
Charge 5 SAYS: Excepting one or
two, all manholes are built on quick
sand, and in no case is three inch plank
or any plank whatever used for foun-
dations, as provided in said contract. "
AS the specifications seem to provide
that the city shall furnish the plank. If
so, the question does not become one of
expense, but of good Judgment The
object of the plank is to prevent I'M
even settlement of the manhole, thereby
causing cracks to appear adjacent to
the pipe. AS ! could observe no cracks
of this character or uneven surface in
the grade of the sewer across the man
hole, | am of the opinion that the
wooden foundations were proved to be
unnecessary.
Charge g.: pipes entering manholes
we.e all laid before foundation of man
holes were built ready to receive them.
fni- is expressly contrary to The COZ
tracr.n
| Null effects from the above altered
negligence could be noticed which
would affect the strength OF the sewer.
Charge Z. !" Back filing was not
properly done No Tamming done.
Filling done principally with horses
7 i 4 a