The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-07-01
ENGINEER LEES REPORT.
RESULT OF INSPECTION OF THE
SEWERAGE SYSTEM.
Minor Defects Found at Few Places
In Pipe Line-1he Sceptic Tank
Does Not Purify Sewerage Is Opin.
ion OF Highest Sanitary Authorities.
Sumter, s. c., June %, 1908.

To the Honorable Mayor and City
Council, Sumter, s. c.
Gentlemen: AS directed by your
honorable body I have inspected the
Eastern or Turkey Creek division Of
the sewerage system. / have examin-
ed all man-holes carefully, have
tried and tested all flush tanks and
examined the line Of pipe as best I
could. I wish to attract your atten-
ton to the great difficulty of inspect
ing q sewerage system after its COM
pletion, nearly all Of it being covered
up and hidden from view. The pipe
joints are not visible except the few
near man-holes and only the inner
sides Of these can be seen. The foun-
dations and sides OF man-holes and
flush tanks cannot be seen, therefore
wish you gentlemen to clearly un-
derstand that I am not assuming any
responsibility In making this my re-
port.
The pipe used In this construction
seems to be good quality of hard
burnt glazed sewer pipe. and the
sizes used are adequate with the
grade obtainable to accommodate the
sewage Of the city with an increased
population.
The grade Is very good as manifest
ed by the flow over the sand in the
bottom Of the pipe; at one point Con
Hauser street) the water in the pipe
Is backed up about two inches-in
other words. in one man-hole the
depth of the water is practically moth
ing. while in the next man-hole up the
line the water Is two inches deep and
standing perfectly still.
This is probably caused by some
small obstruction. as sand, in the
pipe and not dip in the grade. With
copious fushings this obstruction
could most likely be washed out.
The joints which can be seen from
the inside Of the pipe near the man.
holes appear to be we'll closed and
straight. some little oakum is hang
ing down in the line Of pipe. but this
Is as little as could be expected in
almost any pipe. some dripping Of
seepage water from the crown Of
the pipe can be heard. There is by
actual measurement three and three
quarter inches Of seepage in the 22-
inch pipe at the outfall. The meas
urement was taken before any flush
tank had been operated. so I am sure
1t is all seepage and leaks. With the
exception Of little at the corner Of
Main and Warren streets nearly all
of the seepage is found between the
intersection OF the main line with the
Hauser street line and the foot of E.
Liberty street, and from the same
point OF intersection to the Silver
street man-hole on the Hauser street
line. In this distance there is about
one inch Of sand in the bottom Of
the line. there Is also deposited in the
grit chamber some sand. Some Of
this sand may have been left in the
pipes after It was laid and some evil
IDENTIFY has been coming in through q
break in a man-hole, which break
will later call your attention to. This
seepage seems to huctuAte with the
rainfall. Some Of 1t may disappear,
but am afraid 1t will always be
about the same. My reason for be-
lieving that 1t will not disappear is
because so much Of the seepage Is
confined to the short distances above
mentioned. II this seepage was dis
tributed all through the line where wa
ter bearing strata Is encountered I
would think that 1t came in through
very small openings which would fill
at the above mentioned points I am
afraid that 1t Is also coming In
through leaks and was not all left
when the pipe was laid.
I have not applied the usual ball
test to the lines Of pipe because I am
afraid Of stopping up the pipe. The
passing of a ball of one inch less
diameter than the pipe through the
line Is the standard test Of sewers.
I have inspected all man-holes and
find them to be of good design with
the exception Of two where leaks in
the bottom We're found, but which
are now being repaired.
I have also examined and tested
all flush tanks and find them to be
all right with the exception of the
one on Main street in front of the
Southern Express Company's office,
which one fails to siphon. but Is being