Kansas University Science Bulletin. 



Vol. Ill, No. 4. OCTOBER, 1905. 1 vo"? xnffN^i'. 



PRELIMmARY REPOUT OF THE EXPERIMENTAL SEPTIC 

 TANK AT THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS.* 



BY JOHN S. WORLEY. 

 With plates XXIX to XL. 



TN counection with the study of problems in sanitary engi- 

 ^ neering related to the rapid, efficient and economical dis- 

 posal of sewage, a septic-tank system was installed south of the 

 Fowler Shops, at the University of Kansas, and some analyses 

 have been made of the effluent at various points in the system. 

 The tank was built in the winter of 1903-'04, with the coopera- 

 tion and under the supervision of Prof. W. C. Hoad, of the en- 

 gineering department. The analyses of the effluent were made 

 in the water-analysis laboratory. It is to be regretted that the 

 series of analyses does not cover a longer period, but the end of 

 the college year made it necessary to suspend operations. It is 

 expected that the work will be continued by other students in 

 the department. 



The objects of the experiments were to study the workings of 

 a septic tank, to note the effect of aeration on the effluent from 

 the tank, and to see if, after thorough aeration, a second bacterial 

 action could be secured in a second tank. A record was made 

 of the approximate composition of the sewage treated, and the 

 samples of effluent were taken at such points in the system as 

 would show the efficiency at the stages mentioned. 



The main tank was situated at the mouth of the sewer lead- 

 ing from the Fowler Shops. It was built of brick laid in lola 

 Portland cement and plastered with the same. Its inside 

 measurements were 2 feet 6 inches wide, 3 feet deep, and 10 feet 



♦Abstract from a thesis presenteifl to the faculty of the Graduate School of the University of 

 Kansas for the degree of Master of Science ; written under direction of Prof. Edward Bartow. 



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