The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-05-20
City Will Install New 5O-BlOck
Drainage System.
No More Idle Mud and Water
for North Topeka.
WILL SPEND 100000.
City Commissioners Favor North
Side Improvements.
First Ward Has Mayor, Com
missioner and Chief Of Police.

North Topeka not only has a mayor,
a city commissioner and chief of
police, but the First ward is figuring
on almost 100000 worth of improve
ments from the city this year. With
the drawing of plans of a complete
new sewer system for a greater portion
of the ward just nearing completion in
the office of the city engineer. the
North side will keep all city depart
ments busy for the rest Of the admin
istration.
1t is planned to place in the district
across the river a mammoth modern
sewer system that will cover a drain
ing area of about 120 acres or so
square city blocks. The preliminary
estimates and plans are being drawn
in the office of the city engineer this
week and they represent thousands of
dollars worth of improvements to the
North side-one of the greatest moves
ever taken by this ward toward civic
improvement.
This new sewer district will include
the territory between Gordon street on
the south, the city limits on the north,
Tyler street and the Rock Island
tracks on the west and the Union Pa
cific and Rock Island tracks on the
east.
Reinforced Concrete Mains.
The main section of this sewer will
be a massive six-foot reinforced con-
crete affair From this large areaway
it will gradually grow smaller to the
extreme laterals which will be about
twelve inches in diameter. The main
sewer will be built of reinforced con-
crete and the remainder of sewer pipe.
Some of the most complete and most
thoroughly examined plans ever turn
ed out of the city engineers office
have been drawn up for this sewer
and it will be sufficient to drain this
section of the First ward for years to
come.
The fifty blocks in the district
bounded by the aforementioned streets
are in the best residence district of the
north side-that is, it includes some
of the most thickly settled sections of
the ward. Not only is it a good build
ing part of the city but it is as level
as a prairie and of sandy soil.
After every rain the water settles
and remains in this district until
evaporation. There are a large num-
Der of unpaved streets in the First
ward and the lack of natural drainage
makes them in bad shape after every
rain. To drain all of this water, and
to give all of these people sewer adj
vantages is the purpose of the city
commissioners.
basins connectin with this sewer
This will be a sufficient number to
drain all of the standing water in the
streets and carry away the storm
water as fast as it can flow
The sewer preliminary estimates and
approximate cost will be submitted to
the board of city commissioners at
their regular meeting Monday morn
ing. The matter of placing this sewer
problem before the people will be
taken up at that time.
Better Fire Protection.
This isn't all that the First ward
is going to get this year. From the
present plans the city will endow
them wit ha more efficient fire and
engine house, and additional water
mains. The new water mains-3 500
feet of them-have been ordered by
Commissioner Miller and they will be