MODERN METHODS OF STREET CLEANING 



In some cities it is common to wash the pavements 

 with water. Cleaning with water, either by 

 means of a stream from a hose or by means 



v 



cleansing o f wa ter from carts is not uncommon in 



Pavements 



America. 



The term " flushing" may carry to the minds of some 

 a misconception of the proper way in which to use water 

 to clean a street. To most persons to flush is to carry 

 away something which can float or be easily moved by 

 a current of water. The dust and dirt upon a street 

 often cannot be dislodged unless wet, except by con- 

 siderable water pressure or by scrubbing. This injures 

 the pavements. For the best results, the dirt to be 

 removed from the pavements must first be thoroughly 

 lubricated before the hose is used. In this lubrication 

 lies the secret of efficient cleansing by the water method. 

 The use of a stream of water from a hose is of value, 

 not alone on account of its transporting powers, but from 

 the sweeping action which can be brought about by the 

 stream as it is directed by a skillful hand at the nozzle. 



The facility with which street dirt may be removed 

 from pavements and carried through the sewers in the 

 presence of an abundance of water should be remem- 

 bered when showers and rain storms occur. At such 

 times a street-cleaning force can, with hose or with 

 simple rubber hand scrapers, clean an immense amount 

 of fine refuse from asphalt streets by way of the sewers 

 with comparatively little expenditure of energy and of 

 water. Instead of street-cleaners seeking shelter on the 

 approach of rain, as is commonly the case in American 

 cities, they should seize the opportunity to clean the 

 pavements, for, if they do so, their work during fine 

 weather will be much reduced. 



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