Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1909-01-28
SEPTIC TANK 0. K.
Oregon Man Defends Their
Use.
FAILURE DUE CONSTRUCTION
Read the Article and Then
Suggest Other Methods.

AS the "sewage question" in this
city still remains unsolved we give
space to the following article which
was written in defence of the septic
tank, one of the means suggested
in taking care of the sewage of the
city. Let it be understood that
the Free Press is not advocating
the adoption of this system or any
other but like others interested in
the city, realizes the necessity Of
some action, and that not too long
delayed, if the population of
Grangeville is to avoid an epidemic
of disease. Read this article and
let us have your views. We will
gladly print any signed communi-
cation on the subject:
To the Editor of the The indie.
pendent-In the Portland Oregon
ian of Dec. 81 appeared a dispatch
from Grangeville, Idaho, stating
that the experience with septic
tanks in that city had been such
that the city council had passed
resolutions condemning their use.
AS the Oregonian circulates largely
in Hillsboro and many people may
be misled by the statement | can.
not let it go unnoticed, especially
as the tanks are coming into use in
this city and are the only practical
means of disposing of sewage where
no sewer exists.
The tanks specifically named in
the dispatch as being failures are
one in the Grangeville court house
and two in the hotels. No mention
is made of the other tanks in that
city, SO it can be presumed they
are giving satisfaction. To con-
denim system Endorsed by the
scientific and medical world be-
cause of three failures is as ridicu-
lous as the correspondent who con-
demned the use of cement because
he had bad luck with it. When a
material like cement or scientific
appliance like the septic tank prove
failures the cause is usually easily
found, and it is improper construc-
ton.
The great trouble is that unless
installed under sanitary regulations
any kind of pit may be dug and
called septic tank. Often it is
lined with porous materian or thin
cement, allowing it's contents to
seep into the soil. These defects
are not detected until in use a year
or more, and under conditions ex-
listing in Hillsboro the difference
between the scientifically con.
structed tank would not be discov.
cred for some time. Then it would
be found that while one was a pes.
tilential mass of filth, the other
had performed its work and the
surroundings were chemically pure
But the property owner, who paid
for septic tank and got cess poo
usually knows nothing of whether
he got what he paid for and pro
ceeds to condemn the septic tanh
as failure, as did the Grangevill,
council.
AS there is increasing interest il
the subject in Hillsboro I believe
these points on the construction o
septic tanks should be known:
First-Capacity Of tank SHOULD
be approximately three-fourths o
the daily sewage. For example, i
family Of eight persons were tt
use 200 gallons Of water per da,
the area Of the tank would be 15'
gallons below the inlet and Quite
of the tank.
Second-The tank must be pro
tected on all sides and top agains
cold. If this cannot be done b,
building it to sufficient depth nn
derground to allow for the liquid t.
come to the surface, then is mus
be covered by other means.
Third-Of whatever kind O
, material the tank is built it mus
be absolutely air tight and exclud
daylight. If made of concrete tn
) walls and top should be at leas
eight inches in thickness to with
stand the atmospheric pressure
which is 10 pounds to the squar
inch.
Fonrth-A cast iron runnin
trap the size of soil pipe should b
placed near the house side of tn