The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-02-21


dlution OF the sewage could not take place
therein.
g. Land irrigation consists in spreading
the sewage over the surface Of cobsid-
cradle area of land in such quantities and
al such times as to produce the best eff
feet Of an irrigant or fertilizer upon the
crops grown upon the fields. The record
Of failures in the use OF this system has
been due to the fact that the sewage has
been applied to the land irrespective Of
climatic conditions and at times when the
ground was already soaked with moisture
and not in need OF further irrigation. The
quantity of sewage that can be applied TO
an acre OF land depends very largely upon
the character Of the soil on which the
sewage is permitted to flow. The deter
mination, therefore, of how much land
would he required IL this scheme should
be utilized can only be determined by a
thorough examination of the lands lying In
various sections OF the country ground the
city. The sewage of the city could supply
ample irrigating facilities TO at least Il
square mile of country or cultivated fields.
The full benefit OF this system can only be
secured when we have some means of car
ing for the sewage during the wet seasons,
other than flowing It over the ground
This usually necessltates the combination
OF this system with some other method OF
disposal. The method usually employed in
conjunction herewith is that OF interniit-
tent filtration.
G. Intermittent Filtration This is a
method of treatment in which the sewage
is permitted to flow over beds prepared
OF sand or fine gravel and on which the
sewage is internationally distributed. In
this system the water flowing from prop
erlv constructed filter beds is fit to drink.
In the consideration OF intermittent fltra-
ton beds the principal consideration is
that of the publication of sewage while in
the irrigation system the principal cOnsid-
GRAFTON Is that of crops. In intermittent
filtration all considerations should be made
secondary 30 that of a pure enluent; IN
irrigation all considerations should be
made secondary to good crops, thus maxi
ing a necessity of supplemental intermit-
tent filtration beds. The proper kind and
grade OF sand is u most essential factor
in the construction of these litter beds.
ANY kind of sand will not do. have no.
ticed that filter beds constructed with the
greatest care and under the most approved
and scientific methods have failed because
of the character of the sand utilized in
their preparation. To secure the best re-
suits from this method, examination should
be made into all sand and gravel deposits
within radius of hundred miles of
Houston, as you do not have in the imme-
date vicinity of Houston any material
which | have yet discovered which can be
utilized with perfect results for this pur-
pose. ! should not feel justified, no mat
ter what my personal views might be as
TO the most advisable system to be in
stalled, in recommending any system OF
disposal for your city until ! had SO cx-
ainined and exhausted all sources of ma
terial for such beds to be found within an
economic and practical shipping distance
of Houston.
Z. Combination Systems Often two or
more of the above mentioned methods OF
treatment are combined for better effec-
q, ,fgNt.a Yi, n
appreciate the amount of study which
should be given to all these questions be-
fore decision is reached and a complete
plan made.
Factors to BE Known Before System Can
Be Chosen All of the above mentioned
plans are in practical operation in this
country and in Europe, but not one or
them can be considered as best under all
circumstances Many factors must be stud
led and known before Il determination can
be made as 10 what system is best adapt
ed for any particular case, very few OF
which | have referred TO above.
The Cost of Land The cost Of land has
u very important bearing upon the ques-
ton as to which method it is best 10
adopt. Chemical disposal takes the least
land but is the more expensive in opera
ton, which expenses must run on forever.
Land irrigation, on the other hand, re-
Quires the most land, but is the least eX-
pensive to operate, and hence the balance
between these and other methods must be
| carefully studied in order to determine the
best system for your city from an econom-
ical standpoint
Character OF EffIuent Admissible SOME
of the methods Of DISPOSAL have n less
efficiency than others and perhaps cost less,
and hence the question arises, is their CT
flciency sufficient for the needs of Hous-
ton. or would the cost of a more efficient
system be warranted.
Cost of Pumping and Fuel. The rela-
tive cost of pumping and fuel in the va
riots systems is another determining fac
tor in the selection of the method, for
economy in operating expenses is perhaps
the true measure of relative cost.
1t will not take a scientist TO tell you,
and / am sure that, as far-sighted bust
ness men. YOU will see that these ques-
tons demand deep study and can not and
should not be answered ofIhand.
Combinations With Other Public Inn
provements Now Contemplated. I'm dis
GUESSING the question OF economy Of opera
ton. | am reminded of the fact that your
city has in contemplation the construc-
tion of an electric lighting plant Of its own
and also of a garbnge crematory. As power
will unquestlonably be needed in connec-
ton with the sewage disposal, no matter
what method may be adopted, the idea OF
generating all power required by the mu-
nicipality for its various public commod!-
all as being sound Judgment and far-sght-
ed economy. | have successfully planned
such combinations for other places, with
the advantage In saving of first cost and
largely so In operating expenses for all the
Individual commodities
Tho question MS TO whether 1t can be
economically solved for Houston Is worthy
of thought, consideration and detailed
study
The Growth of the City of Houston, -
The city OF Houston is at very critical
stage in The progress of It's public improve
ments 1t has grown about as far as 1t
can without inaugurating a fully mapped
out plan Of public Improvement. Sewage
disposal is needed, revision and extern
sion OF tho sewerage system is needed,
garbage disposal is needed and an electric
lighting station ia needed. | can not too
strongly urge upon you the deslrabiity OF
devising these commodities on scale suf-
ficienty bread that they will be OF the
proper size for the present requirement,
and hence not burden upon the present
generation, and at tho same time founded
upon such scientific principles as 10 be
capable of development for all possible iu-
ture requirements, These commodities are
interdepondent and therefore must and
should be studied together as centraliza-
ton of power means economy in first cost
of construction and in maintenance or
operating expenses.