New Britain herald., 1930-01-14
Suggests Survey by Con- petent Engineers Prior to Change in Methods Study of Trade Wastes Proposed - Adjoining Towns to Be Included.

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 Towns to Be Included.
 quick action on the sewage dis posal problem was forecast last night when the board Of public works de eldcd, after q lengthy discussion. 10 offer recommendation 70 the board of finance at a meeting ot the two bodies this afternoon. The amount 10 pe spent on a survey including checking Of trade wastes will bc d. .ermiued. Other communications which the board will offer ar. in- sluded in a report submitted to the board by City Engineer Philip Meri- an.
 Two bids. one as high as &I4,0oO and the other amounting to $S,5oo, were received from companies which want 10 make the preliminary sur 'ey offering possible solutions 10 tho sewage problem, and otherwise in- yestjgating into conditions Of sewage disposal. The difference in bids pro- Vidcd not a little source Of comment. and it was agreed that Engineer Merriam should study the matter be- fore the dual session today in an at tempt to show what the advantage would be in choosing either com pany 10 do the work. A letter from Morris Knowles, Inc. was read to members Of the board This company offers 10 make the preliminary sur Ney for $S.5Oo. Taylor &, Knight Of New Jersey, submitted a bid of Sl4,- o00. It was estimated by the former concern that four 10 six months would be required,
 In answer to q query regarding lhe necessity of such aid, Engineer Merriam thought that even though most Of the field work could be done hy members of his staff. the direct supervision must be given over to experts. He admitted that although the city staff had done a thorough job of compiling records regarding the matter, expert opinion would be essential"
 It appeared 10 be the conscenus among members Of the board that when plans and specifications for an improved or corrected sewage dis posal system are made it would be wise 10 include both Berlin and New ington in the proposed area. A time nay come. Mir. Merriam said, when aither or both Of these towns will 1onaI.d sewage disposal facilities and it would be wiser 10 plan for such an erI"recnty. MT. AtWater ques- Stoned the a isdom of this. claiming that il would involve expense which "world l:.1 di% h4 fair to New Brit ain He was sssured however thai study of tIesc two towns would aot mean detailed report anC wouil not le ;uich of a job.
 tIsr;an's statement
 In tuc report submitted to mem bs}s Of t},e board Engineer Meriar gave historical summary Of th' sewage disposal ,,rohlcm since it's in. ception in 1@h4, when methods. diff. farlnc tom cludr methods of drain az, were applied. In the historical aspect of 'hc sitC@tiou Mir. Moriar points cut, that as carly as 1908 "con ditions at toe sewer beds were serious" Sii.co tIat time the matter has heclt bocoGimG worse until al present the state i' beginning 10 eyo NaW .,ritain b2"r.lly.
 Based upon hist orical facts Mr Merriam has reached these conclu. sions:
 "A complete survey of trad, wastes sources was also made. anC recorded accurate measurements taken Of sewage flow into the sewel beds.
 Based upon these recorded facts he following conclusions seem war. ranted and are given as follows,
 "l. The present filter beds hay, failed 10 function properly as bac- -erial filters, due to the poor char. actcr Of their original soil content
 "2. The Altering area Of the bed. was inadequate 10 handle the sew. age flow. due to the low capacity o the beds shortly after their inaugur. 9tion.
 g. The construction Of new filter beds failed 10 keep pace wit the repid increase in population an( us resultant increase in sewag. flow.
 "4. Failure 10 check trade waste reaching the beds resulted in theit complete breakdown as bacterial fl tcrs
 "5. Very uttIe work, if any, wa done 10 check up on the loss 0 oxygen in the river water. carryin. the clfIu.nt below the filter beds
 Recommendation
 "1, That the smv"y of trad waste watrrs b. brought 70 date and preventive ordinances be enact ad to safeguard any sewage treat ment process 10 br adopted
 70. A careful check up Of oxyceI loss in river water below the hltc beds.
 "3, thorough study made O the present sewer beds ~jth rcspcc