SANITARY ENGINEERING IN KANSAS CITY. 667 



Eleventh and New Delaware streets, thence westerly following the direction of 

 Eleventh to Washington street, southwesterly to the corner of Summit and 

 Lykins, thence in a southwesterly direction following the summit of the bluff. 



South and east of this line we find that nature has formed a large basin into 

 which the rainfall from the surrounding hills and country flows, embracing an area 

 of nearly fifteen hundred acres. This area is considerably less than the ac- 

 tual area drained by the natural water courses that stretch out in a great variety of 

 directions in their meanderings through deep ravines and gentle slopes of 

 surrounding hills. North of this line, the greater portion of our rainfall, or storm- 

 water, seeks the Missouri River ; that is to say, the general inclination of surface 

 is toward that stream. South of it the storm-water seeks the lower levels of this 

 natural basin. The question naturally presents itself, "How can this basin, cov- 

 ering so large an area in our city, be relieved of its waste and natural drainage? 

 Two methods have' suggested themselves to my mind, and I have also heard a 

 third method discussed by not a few of our representative men, which has not to 

 my knowledge received a great degree of encouragement. Of this I speak first. 



The plan referred to suggests the conversion of O. K. and Turkey creeks 

 into an outlet or main sewer, discharging its accumulations of filth into the Kan- 

 sas River at its present junction with Turkey creek. There can be no question as 

 to the apparent lack of merit in this plan, which has not the slightest indication 

 of permanent utility, and I question whether the advantages gained would, under 

 any circunstances, balance the evils generated by its execution, or recommend it 

 to any thoughtful and cautious engineer or intelligent citizen. 



It is true that such an outlet would convey away the waste from the houses 

 within the area referred to, but it would discharge its accumulations in a place and 

 condition that would occasion full as great evils as if the waste had been permitted 

 to remain scattered throughout this area. At the place of discharge it will be in a 

 concentrated form, and therefore more dangerous. West Kansas, Armstrong, 

 Riverview, Wyandott and not a small portion of the city proper, would be sub- 

 ject to the evils arising from its decomposition and putrefaction. Kansas River 

 has a very low velocity. There are also jetties extending into the current of the 

 river, large pockets have been formed by the continual falling in of its banks. 

 Behind these jetties and in those pockets sewage will accumulate. We also find 

 another objection in the apparent backing of the water at its confluence with the 

 Missouri River. It meets directly the full force of its current which is certainly a 

 very peculiar feature. This method would occasion the passage of the sewage 

 entirely around the city. 



We cannot estimate the evils that will necessarily arise and become constant 

 during its passage. To my mind, by the execution of this plan a permanent evil 

 will be established, and the rate of mortality materially increased. In place of 

 this method I would suggest the building of a main outlet sewer, making the ca- 

 pacity of discharge equal to a circular sewer twelve feet in diameter, beginning 

 south of Twentieth street, near Main, and following the general direction of O. K. 

 creek, straightening it, however, in many places, to a point near the junction of 



