Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-10-20

way as the cities farther up stream
the towns nearer the coal regions. In
the waters of that section the acid
from the mines has some value. What
you nave done are proper steps in the
rlght direction, however. Construction
OF the interceptors are necessary in
the big scheme"
The State Health Departments re-
quirements were set forth in a letter
to City Commissioner w. H. Lynch,
superintendent of public improve
ments. The letter follows:
THE disinfection apparatus which
the State has required for Immediate
installation at the various intercepting
ana outfall sewers Is necessarily of @
simple type and suitable for use only
In an emergency to help protect our
neighbors down stream. The permit
OF July 20, 1911, contemplated the in
stallation of a more permanent equip
ment which would more nearly de-
Velop the full germicidal value of the
chemical. The State recognized that
the preliminary steps to the construc-
tlon of the permanent sewage treat
ment plant on the island would con-
sumo considerable time in the prepa-
ration of plans, providing for bond
issue, securing of property rights ETC.,
ana In the meantime some temporary
treatment was considered necessary.
The city has postponed the in
staiiation or the more permanent type
or d1sinfection apparatus, so that now
1t is necessary that funds be provided
Immediately for the installation and
equipment of these simple plants, to
be operated until a better type can be
installed
The simple apparatus should be
located near the lower ends of the in
tercept1ng sewers so as to treat con-
tinuously the sewage emptied into the
river. AS the discharge pipe leading
from the junction manholes at Iron
alley Is rather short. sufficient contact
between the chemical solution and the
sewage would not be secured If the ap-
paratus should be located at this man
hole. 1t is therefore necessary to con-
struct several plants and located one
farther up each intercepting sewer
near the junction with the first branch
sewer.
"Hypoclorite of lime is the chemical
usually employed for this work and
the apparatus is constructed of barrels
or wooden tanks. Duplicate tanks
must be provided at each installation
so, that the solution can be mixed in
one tank while the other Is discharg-
ing: 1t is also necessary to provide a
shelter over the equipment in order
to prevent freezing in winter.
The amount of chemical must be
proportioned against the organic con-
tent of the sewage to secure the best
result. Ordinarily it takes about $50
pounds OF hypoclorite of lime to the
million gallons of raw sewage to securS
proper disinfection. The exact amount.
however, cannot be stated in advance.
as 1t must be determined by bacterio-
logical tests.
ut will be necessary to provide for
the operation of the apparatus day and
night. In the case of the Front street
and Iron alley intercepting sewers,
where the flow Is large, 1t would un-
doubtedly be necessary to have an at
tendant on duty during the entire
twenty-four hours. In the case of the
lower Paxton and Spring creek inter-
ceptors, where the flow of sewage Is
not so great, 1t is possible that an at
tendant during the daytime would be
sufficient. Knowing the approximate
volume of sewage transported by the
various intercepting sewers, you can
from the above calculate the approxi-
mate daily cost of the operation.
II wish again to impress upon YOU
the necessity for immediate action in
this matter. and am willing to advise
with the city regarding the designs of
these simple apparatus, but the city
must at once provide necessary funds
for purchase of chemical and equip
ment and maintenance of the appa-
ratus Funds should also be provided
for the employment of an engineer to
design the more permanent type of
disinfection apparatus. and when the
plans are approved by the State con-
struction should begin at once"