anaheim-gazette 1911-05-18

SEWAGE DISPOSAL AND SEPTIC TANKS DR. C. E. GRUNSKY DESCRIBES CONDITIONS IN GERMAN CITIES Facts in Local Controversy of Great Interest—Farmers Anxious to Secure Flow of Water for Betterment of Soils—When Scientifically Constructed Septic Tanks Reduce Disease Carrying Capacity—Odors Arising Not Deleterious to Health [By Dr. C. E. Grunsky in Bulletin issued by State Board of Health.] Last April I visited the sewage disposal works of Wilmersdorf, a suburb of Berlin. These were represented to be an up-to-date arrangement and proved to be well worthy of examination. The day was mild, but cloudy and threatening rain. A moderately strong wind was blowing. On the two-mile walk from the nearest railway station, I crossed the wind's course as it blew from the works. It came heavily laden with malodorous gases, and my conviction was speedy and strong that no matter how clear and nonputrescible the effluent from such clarification works might be, the works would be inadequate to meet the requirements for or near any large American city. At these works, which are known as "Klar-Anlagen," the sewage is received in a circular concrete tank from which it flows to open settling basins. Of these there are four active the sewage disposal plant at Columbus, Ohio, which is supposed to represent the highest type of American practice, a similar comment with reference to the offensiveness of septic sewage. He examined the septic tanks and sprinkling fillers of the Columbus purification works, and says in his report, published in the annual report of the Chief Engineer of the Board of Estimate and Apportionment for New York City for 1909 (Engineering News of December 1, 1910, p. 600): "While the season of the year and the weather conditions during my visit were unfavorable for the obtainment of the most definite and conclusive results, the thermometer varying between 32 and 71 and the weather being intermittently rainy, still the fact that a strong wind was blowing almost continually was advantageous... I caught the odor from the purification works, suddenly and strong, at a distance of about three-quarters of a mile from the works. There was no doubt about the character and offensiveness of this odor. It was characteristic of the septic tank and for the moment was nauseating. For the distance of three-eighths of a mile this odor was dully sickening; from this point it decreased in intensity and intolerability until a point to the windward of the septic tanks and in the vicinity of the filter beds was reached, where it was not so intensely offensive... The universal testimony (of various persons) was to the effect that, under certain conditions, intolerable odors were appreciable to the limit of from three-quarters of a mile to one and a half miles from the work site." To illustrate: Immediately visit to the Wilmersdorfification works I visited sewage farms at Stockton asylum was row system of irrigation black clay land, which made of carrying far. Screening along general practice, now many, where cities ter out of the sewer advocated as the best peculiarly favorable in most cases consistent to subject the sewage management that will advance, rendering it for non-putrescible before to the stream. To illustrate: Immediately visit to the Wilmersdorfification works I visited sewage farms at Stockton asylum was row system of irrigation black clay land, which made of carrying far. Screening along general practice, now many, where cities ter out of the sewer advocated as the best peculiarly favorable in most cases consistent to subject the sewage management that will advance, rendering it for non-putrescible before to the stream. To illustrate: Immediately visit to the Wilmersdorfification works I visited sewage farms at Stockton asylum was row system of irrigation black clay land, which made of carrying far. Screening along general practice, now many, where cities ter out of the sewer advocated as the best peculiarly favorable in most cases consistent to subject the sewage management that will advance, rendering it for non-putrescible before to the stream. wind's course as it blew from the works. It came heavily laden with malodorous gases, and my conviction was speedy and strong that no matter how clear and nonputrescible the effluent from such clarification works might be, the works would be inadequate to meet the requirements for or near any large American city. At these works, which are known as "Klar-Anlagen," the sewage is received in a circular concrete tank from which it flows to open settling basins. Of these there are four acting on the principle of the septic tank. They are scum-covered and practically odorless, except when the sludge is removed by being syphoned to nearby sludge beds. The effluent from the settling basins flows to a chamber, the outlet of which remains closed until the chamber is full, where upon its overflow fills a bucket attached to a lever and opens the flow to the coke beds, of which there are twenty-seven at the works. Each coke bed is a cylindrical pile of coke with sides practically vertical, about 60 feet in diameter, and about 7 feet high, in the center of which is a riser pipe connecting with two horizontal pipes that extend out to the edge of the coke pile. The horizontal pipes are supported from a central upright extension of the riser pipe by means of iron rods. They are perforated in such a way that the outflow of sewage is proportional to distance from the center toward the periphery of the bed, and that this outflow imparts rotary motion to the two arms which swing about a foot above the top of the coke bed, revolving slowly for a few minutes while the bed is being dosed and then remaining at rest until another dose of sewage has accumulated. The septic sewage thus sprinkled in the open on the coke beds is foul smelling, and there seems to be no way in which septic sewage can be handled at such clarification works, without giving rise to the bad odors that have long been recognized as one of the great drawbacks to any general application of the septic tank treatment of sewage. The effluent from the coke beds is turbid, with an abundance of flocculent matter. It is allowed to flow into another set of four tanks, where most of the material in suspension drops to the bottom, and the outflow is then ready for discharge into the river. This final effluent is by no means perfectly clear. It still carries some flocculent matter. It is nonputrescible and apparently quite up to the standard usually insisted upon in Germany, that it must be at least so free from eating. For the distance of three-eighths of a mile this odor was dully sickening; from this point it decreased in intensity and intolerability until a point to the windward of the septic tanks and in the vicinity of the filter beds was reached, where it was not so intensely offensive... The universal testimony (of various persons) was to the effect that, under certain conditions, intolerable odors were appreciable to the limit of from three-quarters of a mile to one and a half miles from the works, and that the plant might honestly be considered a nuisance up to these limits." The editor of the Engineering News, commenting on this statement, says: "Undoubtedly the Columbus plant represents the latest and best practice in sewage purification." He also says (p. 599, same edition): "Most existing sewage-disposal plants are damned by their smell. From the sanitarian's viewpoint, they are (most of them) successful, because they yield an effluent of reduced putrefactive power and reduced disease-carrying capacity, which can be discharged into a stream without causing offense. The scientific sanitarians also aver that bad smells are not of themselves injurious to health. Hence, they say, these sanitary results are well worth bying at the cost of a little smell. There is, however, more or less popular protest against this doctrine. Indeed, the question may be raised whether the sanitary disposal of sewage has first and last any other object than the abolition of bad smell. In so far then, as a sewage treating process produces bad odors, it falls of the object it is designed to accomplish." It is gratifying to know that the septic tank craze is almost a thing of the past. The septic tank has its uses. It produces results, but it cannot be classed as a cure-all. The aim of many sanitary engineers today is to demonstrate that wherever this is practicable, sewage should be treated in its fresh condition. It should not be allowed to become septic, neither upon the private premises where it originates nor in the conduits which carry it to the point of disposal nor yet in the sewage purification works, where these are necessary. This tendency is strongly manifest in Europe, particularly in Germany, where more and more attention is being given to the removal of as much solid matter as possible from the fresh sewage by screening. Many examples can be cited where before ultimate disposal by dilution in the flowing water of a stream there particularly near the flow into the irrigation and its removal is a difficult and expense. It is also other methods of not be applied that measure obviate this removing this material section it is remember great many years that Stockton asylum was row system of irrigation black clay land, which of time became a blight. The irrigation there, on without becoming til the amount to be too great for the small tense cultivation. Will lin sewage farm that the irrigated fields will drain ditches, and that to be noted, it was far superior in appearance of the river into a charged. As a rule, sewage on land and digestion, where such practicality has been satisfactory results. Treatment has its difficulty not be universally reckonably not for regular use heavy and poor waste and winters are long. Along the line of so with the elimination tank a relatively new to be noted which has described by Mr. C.C. American engineer an employ at Essau, Ge sewerage department genossenschaft. The improvement of sewages in the drainage Emscher River led by Engineer Dr. A sludge tank, arranged on the principle of our old California mine sewage conduit is placed long tank 25 feet or so. In the bottom of the ovalitudinal openings, with other arrangement so ing from below can not duilt. The sludge tank at top of the conduit against the same, so rising from the sludge ed in the spaces atthe conduit and allowto the air. The sewage passing through them with bottom plates toward the central loings, so that the solids sewage may drop treatment of sewage. The effluent from the coke beds is turbid, with an abundance of flocculent matter. It is allowed to flow into another set of four tanks, where most of the material in suspension drops to the bottom, and the outflow is then ready for discharge into the river. This final effluent is by no means perfectly clear. It still carries some flocculent matter. It is nonputrescible and apparently quite up to the standard usually insisted upon in Germany, that it must be at least as free from objectionable matter as the water of the stream into which it is discharged. The visitor to these works is also shown a field, a few acres in extent, prepared for irrigation, to which the effluent can be led for application to land in case that this final treatment should be thought necessary. The soil being sandy, there is no doubt that it would stand heavy dosing with either the present final effluent or with the effluent direct from the coke beds. It is hardly necessary to state that the Wilmersdorf "clarification" works are well located, removed from the densely populated areas around Berlin far enough to be not obtrusively offensive. The works stand upon a low, flat-topped hill, and are so arranged that the sewage which reaches the receiving tank flows by gravity to the coke beds, and thence to the sediment basins and to the stream. The sludge which accumulates in the basins is at intervals of some months drawn from sumps in the bottom thereof by a syphon, and is delivered upon sludge beds which are leveled-off areas of land surrounded by low embankments. The sludge is slow drying, foul smelling, and has some manurial value. It is shoveled into hand cars when dry enough, and there is some demand for it by farmers. Since noting the above, I have read in the report of Mr. John E. Hill, on where it originates nor in the conduits which carry it to the point of disposal nor yet in the sewage purification works, where these are necessary. This tendency is strongly manifest in Europe, particularly in Germany, where more and more attention is being given to the removal of as much solid matter as possible from the fresh sewage by screening. Many examples can be cited where before ultimate disposal by dilution in the flowing water of a stream there is practically no other treatment. On this subject the speaker's impressions are confirmed by the views of Professor H. N. Ogden, who in a recent issue of the Engineering News says: "The city of Frankfort-on-Main, for example, with its population of 375,000, discharges into the river Main, where the sewage flow is diluted 125 times. Similar conditions prevail at Hamburg. There the river Elbe has been artificially made over into a supurb inland harbor. Similarly the sewage of Leipzig is discharged into the river Elster, the sewage of Halle into the Saale, the sewage of Wiesbaden and of Cologne into the Rhine. "Broadly speaking, the German attitude toward stream pollution is one of no discrimination between domestic sewage and manufacturing wastes, a careful guarding against putting unnecessary obstacles in the way of manufacturing industries, and a purification of domestic sewage only to that point necessary to prevent a nuisance after its discharge into a stream." Professor Ogden also says that the Germans "recognize, apparently, the fact that a river flowing through and by a number of manufacturing cities, carrying shipping of all kinds on its surface and receiving waste waters from many factories, is not and cannot be drinking water, and that to establish a high standard of purity for sewage effluents is to impose a needless and burdensome tax on those cities." But the mistake should not be ing from below can not duit. The sludge tank at the top of the conduit ainst the same, so rising from the sludge ed in the spaces at the conduit and allow to the air. The sewage passing through the with bottom plates toward the central loings, so that the solids in the sludge ing to Mr. Saville, and dergoes decomposition ing malodorous gases which rise upon both conduit in the sludge per cent marsh gas a carbon monoxide. Thily no sulphuretted sludge in the course months is completely can be drawn off freely in open sludge beds. It dries spadable within three terer the water has been it. The sludge effluent out offensive odor, and self is also free from sludge resembles hurl ille says of the sludge thoroughly rotted aw objectionable in change easily handled." This type of sludge present time appears misse that its use in the treatment of sewage interior cities and town serious consideration new device and show here under Californi- ANAHEIM GAZETTE made of carrying this principle too far. Screening alone is not yet the general practice, not enen in Germany, where cities keep fecal matter out of the sewers, nor can it be advocated as the best, except under peculiarly favorable conditions. It is in most cases considered far better to subject the sewage to some treatment that will advance its nitrification, rendering it for the most part non-putrescible before letting it flow to the stream. To illustrate: Immediately after my visit to the Wilmersdorf sewage purification works I visited one of the sewage farms at Sputendorf. The sewage arrived in a fresh condition at a standpipe on a slight eminence to which it is pumped from the far off city. There was no foul odor noticeable on the farm away from the point where the sewage was actually being applied to the land, and foul odors were hardly noticeable at the margin of the small quarter-acre tract being flooded. The soil, after irrigation with sewage by a method of broad flooding, was left covered with a greasy appearing scum. This forms a crust, clogging the sandy soil, particularly near the points of inflow into the irrigation compartments, and its removal is a source of trouble and expense. It is a question whether other methods of irrigation could not be applied that would in some measure obviate the necessity for removing this material. In this connection it is remembered that for a great many years the sewage of the Stockton asylum was applied by a furrow system of irrigation to a heavy black clay land, which in the course Some experiments with it are already being made at Philadelphia and at Chicago, and those that are needed here should be undertaken by the University of California. This would be something in the line of original research for which the University should be fully equipped. It is only by taking up more research work of this character that the University can advance to the place which it ought to hold in the front rank of all engineering schools of the world. WANTED Santa Fe Railway Company wants young men to learn telegraphy at their Telegraph School, Los Angeles. Positions as telegraph operators guaranteed. All Santa Fe main wires. Write for catalogue. KELLEY & CO. Manufacturers of CEMENT IRRIGATING PIPE All Work Guaranteed Pipe Yards Located at Brookshurst, Cal. W.J.LANDRUM PIANO TUNER EASTERN FACTORY EXPERIENCE J. JANSS, M.D. Physician & Surgeon 523 W. Center St. Anaheim Office Hours, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 8 p.m. Both Phones W. Harold Wickett, M.D. Res Phones, Main 8X3, Home 863. Herbert A Johnston, M.D. Res Phones, Main 82, Home 862. Drs. Johnston & Wickett Office Hours, 11-12, 2-4, 7-8 Office Phones, Main 81, Home 861. Offices, 810 S. Los Angeles Street J. L. BEEBE, M.D. PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON. Office and res. cor. Center and Palm Sts Office hours: 2 to 4, 7 to 8 p.m. Both Phones. ANAHEIM, CAL Residence Phone Main 42 Office Phones Main 1141-Home 1401 DR. JOHN H. BOEGE DENTIST Office, Mullinix Building HOURS 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. 1:30 to 5:00 p.m. Bv Appointmen RICHARD MELROSE ATTORNEY-AT-LAW and NOTARY PUBLIC Office Center St Special attention given to Probate Matters ANAHEIM H. V. Weisel Roger C. Dutton WEISEL & DUTTON Attorneys and Counselors at Law SPECIAL ATTENTION GIVEN PROBATE MATTERS German Language Spoken Notary Public 2d Floor Mullinix bldg particularly near the points of inflow into the irrigation compartments, and its removal is a source of trouble and expense. It is a question whether other methods of irrigation could not be applied that would in some measure obviate the necessity for removing this material. In this connection it is remembered that for a great many years the sewage of the Stockton asylum was applied by a furrow system of irrigation to a heavy black clay land, which in the course of time became a black, mellow soil. The irrigation there, also, was carried on without becoming a nuisance until the amount to be handled became too great for the small area under intense cultivation. Where on the Berlin sewage farm the effluent from the irrigated fields was seen in the drain ditches, and this is the point to be noted, it was crystal clear and far superior in appearance to the water of the river into which it is discharged. As a rule, the disposal of sewage on land and its use for irrigation, where such arrangement is practicable, has been attended with satisfactory results. But even this treatment has its difficulties and can not be universally recommended, particularly not for regions where soils are heavy and poorly under-drained and winters are long and severe. Along the line of sewage treatment with the elimination of the septic tank a relatively new arrangement is to be noted which has recently been described by Mr. Chas. Saville, an American engineer at present in the employ at Essau, Germany, of the sewerage department of the Emscher-genossenschaft. The requirements for the improvement of sanitary conditions in the drainage basin of the Emscher River led to the introduction by Engineer Dr. Karl Imhoff of a sludge tank, arranged very much on the principle of the sand-box on our old California mining ditches. The sewage conduit is passed through a long tank 25 feet or more in depth. In the bottom of the conduit are longitudinal openings, with sub-boards or other arrangement so that gases rising from below can not enter the conduit. The sludge tank sides rise to the top of the conduit and close against the same, so that all gases rising from the sludge can be collected in the spaces at each side of the conduit and allowed to escape to the air. The sewage conduit where passing through the tank is made with bottom plates pitching steeply toward the central longitudinal openings, so that the solid matter in the sewage may drop down into the All Work Guaranteed Pipe Yards Located at Brookshurst, Cal. W.J.LANDRUM PIANO TUNER EASTERN FACTORY EXPERIENCE Leave Orders with Jos. Helmsen JOSEPH BACKS, Undertaker and Embalmer Furniture, Bedding. Repairing done Phones Pacific M93, Home 1062. A Little Money Goes a Long Way via Santa Fe Back East Excursions SALE DATES May 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 31. June I, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 28, 29, 30. July 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 19, 20, 26, 27, 28 August 3, 4, 5, 14, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30. September 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7. To destinations marked * tickets will also be sold on October 12, 13 and 14. ROUND TRIP FARES (Direct Route) Atchison. Kansas $60.00 Baltimore. Md.107.50 Boston. Mass.110.50 Chicago. Ill.72.50 *Colorado Springs. Col.55.00 Council Bluffs. Iowa60.00 *Denver. Colorado55.00 Dallas. Texas60.00 Duluth. Minn.79.50 Houston. Texas60.00 ing from below can not enter the conduit. The sludge tank sides rise to the top of the conduit and close against the same, so that all gases rising from the sludge can be collected in the spaces at each side of the conduit and allowed to escape to the air. The sewage conduit where passing through the tank is made with bottom plates pitching steeply toward the central longitudinal openings, so that the solid matter in the sewage may drop down into the sludge tank. The sewage itself is not interrupted in its flow, which should not exceed a velocity of one foot per second, nor be so low as to keep the sewage within the tank more than two hours. The arrangement, as described, keeps the sludge entirely apart from the fresh sewage. The sewage leaves 95 per cent or more of its solids in the sludge tank, according to Mr. Saville, and the sludge undergoes decomposition without forming malodorous gases. The gases which rise upon both sides of the conduit in the sludge tank are 75 per cent marsh gas and 25 per cent carbon monoxide. There is practically no sulphuretted hydrogen. The sludge in the course of four or five months is completely decomposed and can be drawn off from the bottom, flowing freely in open conduits to sludge beds. It dries readily, being spadable within three or four days after the water has been drained from it. The sludge effluent is clear without offensive odor, and the sludge itself is also free from foul odors. The sludge resembles humus. Mr. Saville says of the sludge, "When once thoroughly rotted away" it "is unobjectionable in character and is easily handled." This type of sludge tank at the present time appears so full of promise that its use in connection with the treatment of sewage for our many interior cities and towns will deserve serious consideration. But it is a new device and should be tried out here under California conditions. September 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7. To destinations marked * tickets will also be sold on October 12, 13 and 14. ROUND TRIP FARES (Direct Route) Atchison, Kansas $ 60.00 Baltimore, Md. 107.50 Boston, Mass. 110.50 Chicago, Ill. 72.50 *Colorado Springs, Col. 55.00 Council Bluffs, Iowa 60.00 *Denver, Colorado 55.00 Dallas, Texas 60.00 Duluth, Minn. 79.50 Houston, Texas 60.00 Kansas City, Mo. 60.00 Leavenworth, Kansas 60.00 Memphis, Tenn. 70.00 Minneapolis, Minn. 73.50 Montreal, Que. 108.50 New Orleans, La. 70.00 New York, N.Y. 108.50 Omaha, Neb. 60.00 *Pueblo, Colorado 55.00 Philadelphia, Pa. 108.50 Portland, Me. 113.15 Quebec, Que. 116.50 St. Joseph, Mo. 60.00 St. Louis, Mo. 70.00 St. Paul, Minn. 73.50 Toronto, Ontario 95.70 Washington, D.C. 107.50 Limit October 31, 1911 Stopover at Grand Canyon Always tickled to talk tickets J. H. CLABAUGH, Agent Phones: Pacific Main 2171 : Home 1751 Santa Fe MONEY can be borrowed on more favorable terms from the SAVINGS, LOAN and BUILDING ASSOCIATION OF ANAHEIM than from any similar institution in the State A Home Institution... conducted by home men If you want to borrow money at a low rate to pay off your present mortgage, or to build a home or to improve your present one address or call on Fred A. Backs, Jr Secretary Anaheim Commercial Hotel FIRST-CLASS DINING ROOM AND BAR Handsomely Furnished Rooms Everything neat and clean A home for the Traveling Public A trial will convince. JOHN ZIEGLER, Manager Finest of Wines, Liquors and Cigars, at Roman Wisser's Favorite - Saloon Schlitz Beer on Draught ANAHEIM Cigar Factory ARNOLD & SON, Props. West Center St., Anaheim Manufacturers of The Anaheim Eagle and Rosebud Cigars. We make a Specialty of Private Box Trade Anaheim Bakery Peter Syre, prop. Fresh Bread Cakes and Pies Confectionery, Etc. Wedding Cakes a Specialty Los Angeles and Express Sts. Lawn Mowers, Rubber Hose, and Garden Tools AT DICKEL'S SEE THE Clarinda Lawn Mower The Best on Earth. Satisfaction Absolutely Guaranteed. BOYS AND GIRLS I WILL PAY YOUR TUITION FOR A COMPLETE BUSINESS COLLEGE COURSE IF YOU WILL DO A LITTLE WORK IN EXCHANGE. WRITE FOR MY PLAN. IT IS FREE C. A. NARRAMORE, P. O. Box 521, SAN BERNARDINO, CALIF. Commencing Apr. 1, 1911 BOYS AND GIRLS I WILL PAY YOUR TUITION FOR A COMPLETE BUSINESS COLLEGE COURSE IF YOU WILL DO A LITTLE WORK IN EXCHANGE. WRITE FOR MY PLAN. IT IS FREE C. A. NARRAMORE, P. O. Box 521, SAN BERNARDINO, CALIF. Commencing Apr. 1, 1911 The price of "Anaheim Bottled Beer" will be as follows: ONE DOZ. LARGE $1.40 ONE DOZ. SMALL $1.00 BOTTLES RETURNED One Dozen Large 40 Cents One Dozen Small 30 Cents Union Brewing Co, ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA Announcement The Angell & Redit Machine Co. wish to announce they have secured the agency for the entire line of "Aeromoter Engines and Windmills" for Anaheim and vicinity. All new machines in these lines, also repairs for same, can be secured through us at our new machine shop, at 220 West Center Street, Anaheim. Angell & Redit Machine Co. Straws Show Which Way the Wind Blows. More than twelve hundred applicants took the Civil Service Examination for Railway Mail Clark in the Eighth Civil Service District on December 11, 1910. We had only two boys preparing for the work. One of them, A. A. Morgan, spent only six weeks on the work and ranked Thirteenth from the highest in grade. Sam Snyder ranked Twentieth. These boys Straws Show Which Way the Wind Blows. More than twelve hundred applicants took the Civil Service Examination for Railway Mail Clark in the Eighth Civil Service District on December 11, 1910. We had only two boys preparing for the work. One of them, A. A. Morgan, spent only six weeks on the work and ranked Thirteenth from the highest in grade. Sam Snyder ranked Twentieth. These boys both live in Redlands. Write to them. This is only a sample of the work we give in all departments. San Bernardino Business College and Business Institute. PALACE MARKET WM. H. F. SCHUMACHER, Prop. DEALERS IN Choice Fresh and Salted Meats Exclusive Agents for Clover Glen Creamery Butter. Telephone Main 51. Meats Delivered to All Parts of the City ANNOUNCEMENT Due to the eight-hour law we are compelled, along with all other laundries in the State, to largely increase our payroll in order to get out the work. An advance in prices for laundry is consequently necessary. All laundries in the State are now re-arranging their price lists to meet the emergency, and we are obliged to follow the same course in self-defense. Anaheim Steam Laundry