The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1934-07-26
Sewer Line
Developed
Many Leaks
Inspection Reveals Faulty
Observation-Disclosures of
Plant Is Okey
WORK NOW UNDER WAY
Guaranteed For One Year
Under Terms of Contract
Must Be Al

A contractors inspection Of the
disposal plant sewer the past week
revealed many leaks, caused by
of pipe, which was laid from the
old sewer at Birch street to the
plant. Work for the repair of the
leaks is now under way and must
be completed before the plant will
be accepted by the city.
After completion of the work it
was found that leakage of almost
100 gallons per minute had develop
ed and hence, it was necessary to
send men through the 15-inch pipe
to locate the leaks. This was done
with the aid of a rope in which
knots were tied, and each spot was
located by the rope from above. Up
until Wednesday the leakage had
been reduced to about one-half Of
the above named amount.
The contract called for compile
ton about July 9Th, but owing to
developments it will be quite some
time yet before the plant can be
accepted by the city. After the
leaks are fixed, it is planned to
have public inspection of the
plant. At that time the city's en-
gineer, the engineer of the Public
Works Administration and the City
Council will thoroughly investigate
the plant.
Under the terms of the contract
the sewer and plant are guaranteed
against faulty workmanship for
the period of one year, hence the
contracting company must pay for
the fixing of leaks and any other
faults which may develop later.
Some of our citizens are of the
opinion the city would have to pay
for this work, however, that idea is
erroneous. The City Council Is
holding back Is per cent of the to-
tai cost of the sewer until the
plant is in such condition that it
can be accepted by the city and the
engineers.
Engineer Henry Nodland, Of the
Starbuck Engineering Co., who Is
representing the City Of Sank Cen
tire, in a statement to the Herald
Wednesday morning, said that with
the exception of the leakage in the
sewer the plant is excellently
built. He stated that the leaks
can be fixed very satisfactorily, and
when the work is completed it will
be a permanent and satisfactory
job. There are those who believe
that iron pipe should have been
used in this soil, in this connection,
Mr.. Nodland stated that the pipe
used is correct, and Is the kind
used in all work Of this nature. AS to
frost conditions he said, that the
pipe had been laid below the frost
line and that the heat Of the sew
age would keep it from freezing
were it even above the line.
The workmen have dug trenches
along a considerable length Of the
1000 feet of sewer, and are now
putting cement on the outside Of
the pipe joints. This work entails
considerable expense to the con-
tractor which could have been
avoided. In some places the pipe
will be embedded in cement to close
up the lower leaks. The plant
must be in Al condition to be &C
copied. The engineer stated that
no extra charges had been added to
this work, and that the amount to
be paid by the city VIII be no more
than the original bid.
When the contract was first let
the City was allowed $4,000 by the
Federal Government, and since that
time it has received $1,000 supple
mentary aid from the same source.
It is also possible that another
amount may be received from the
Federal Government. Another sum
of several thousand dollars will be
paid to the city by the State when
the Home School is connected with
the sewer.