Water Supply and Drainage 



247 



of moderate size, so as not to accumulate too much matter, thus tempting less 

 frequent cleaning. The cleaning of the cesspool is necessary to its perfection. 



All connections between the house and cesspool should have the proper dis- 

 connecting traps to avert the possibility of sewer gas entering the former. It may 

 be advantageous to use a slightly impure water source as a flushing agent. Some- 

 times water may be struck which, 

 though unhealthy if taken into the sys- 

 tem, can well be utilised for this purpose. 



Though there are times when the 

 home sewage can be disposed of through 

 the medium of quick water, it is apt 

 sooner or later to cause trouble. We 

 have already stated that water is but a 

 carrying agent, and as such it is more 

 than likely to carry sewage where it is 

 not wanted. Tidewater streams are out 

 of the question, and direct transmission 

 into the ocean tends to defile the shores 

 to a greater or less extent. There are 

 cases, of course, where both the quick 

 stream and the ocean may be utilised, 

 but such are rare. 



One of the best methods of private 

 sewage disposal is by means of the sub- 

 soil irrigation. This system is superior 

 to the broad (surface) irrigation in that 

 it is neither offensive to sight nor smell. 

 It is based upon the fact that soil next 

 to the surface of the ground possesses 

 in a large degree power to destroy organic 

 matter buried in it. Therefore the dis- 

 tribution of waste should not be greater 

 than 10 or 12 inches below the surface. 



An intermittent discharge of sewage affords the upper soil time to take up 

 oxygen during the interval and to breathe preparatory to the next discharge. The 

 frequency of discharge depends on the amount of waste to be disposed of, the size 

 of tank and area of piping. It should not however occur oftener than once a day. 



In brief, this system consists of an absolutely tight tank for the collection 

 of household wastes and a network of common drain tiles laid with open joints 

 below the surface through which the accumulation is discharged. The irrigated 

 field may well be under the grass plots and flower beds, that the growth may 

 take nourishment from the distribution. The soil, of course, should be 

 porous, clay and damp soil being well under-drained. Generally the small 

 drain pipes are laid in earthenware gutters laid with open joints, and having 

 earthenware cups to protect them from the soil above. The ordinary pitch of 

 3 inches to 100 feet is usually sufficient. 



A windmill that is not unsightly. Everyone who can afford 

 to cover the steel frame of a tank with a wooden shell should 

 do so out ot respect for neighbours, visitors, and the landscape 



