The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1905-11-24

The New Tank Believed to be Equal
to Task OF Solving the Sewer
Question Here.
Ever since a sewer system was es-
tablished in Mitchell the disposition
of the contents passing through it hps
been a source of much a%ggravation to
the citizens who unfortunately resid-
ed in the vicinity of where 1T emp
TIED and the city council, which was
frequently called upon to remedy the
disagreeable situation. Attempts
have been made in the past, which
proved of but short benefit, to do
away with the situation. but the
odor still came back from the south
eastern part of the city
Last spring the council sent Alder
man King down to Marion, Iowa, to
inspect the septic tank for the dis
posal OF sewerage and find what it
cost to erect one and what it could
do in disposing of the contents of a
sewer. Mr.. King made a thorough
inspection and full inquiry and found
that the septic plan was meeting the
situation there in a satisfactory man
ner. The council decided to construct
one for Mitchell, aud the work has
been carried on the greater part of
the summer ana TALL, with the result
that the plant is completed and
the sewer is now connected with it.
The tank is situated in the south
eastern part of the CITY, at about the
junction of the east ard south line
Of the Milwaukee road. 1t required
a large amount of e%xcavating for the
tank, for the hole in the ground is
4Oxl2O feet, and a little yer nine
feet deep. The walls are constructed
of cement, which are three feet at
the bottom and taper to two feet
thick at the top. The bottom of the
tank is six inches thick with cement
and the top is arched over with ce-
ment Of the same thickness. a few
days ago the writer in company With
several members Of the city council
made an inspection OF the tank be-
fore the sewer was connected with it.
The arch is supported by 26 piers Of
lcement, each one Of which is three
feet square at the base ana two feet
at the top, making a solid resting
place for the arch that covers the
tank.
There is a gradual slope to the floor
to the east end to aid in flushing it
when necessary to clean it out. There
are six openings at the east end Of
the tank through which the water
passes in ITS clarified form into one
large opening and thence off into dry
run. Each one Of these openings can
be gone into for cleaning purposes.
There are eight man holes in the
top OF the tank, which, however. are
sealed perfectly tight. The sewage
that is dumped into the tank from
the sewer consumes itself by the ac-
ton of its own gas, and when the
water leaves the tank to flow off into
the run it is said to De 80 per cent
pure. and giving off not the least
odor, so that in the future the
residents in that part OF the city
will never be troubled again with
disagreeable conditions.
The tank cost a larger SUN thin
Mas anticipated, as its size was in
lcreased to meet the growing condi.
tions OF Mitchell but it Is believed
that the disposal of the W situa-
tion In this city has been met
successfully, for which every either
should feel thankful. no matter whal
it cost. 1t is stated that the expense
of putting In the septic tank amount,
ed to about $4,000, which is a cheal
figure In comparison to what many
cities have to expend to take care o
the sewer offal.
I lacdtield have the sewer proposition
to meet aud representatives Of bolt
cities have been to Marion to see til,
workings of the plant.
UP TO the present time the tank i
doing its work in a satisfactory man
ner anu there does not appear to b
, any particular reason why 1t will no
90 on In the SANE way for all time t
come.
Contemplates All Night Service.
, Tie Mitchell Gas Co. contemplate
running the electric light plant al
night. II there is sufficient bushes
to warrant 1t in doing so. An al