Septic Tanks.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2904, 29 September 1900, Page 3

Septic Tanks.

The “ Otago Daily Times,” a day or two ago stated that a “ septic tank,” on the principle that has been adopted as about 100 towns at Home now, for purifying crude sewage, is to be put down at Caversham Industrial school. Tn yesterday’s issue the “ Times” says :—Apropos of septio tanks generally, concerning which we gave some particulars yesterday, it may be stated that the principle of disposing of sewage by this method has been recognised for many years, and at the present time in Dunedin examples of its practical and sue cessful application may bo seen which have stood the test of a very considerable length of time. For instance the architect of the Education Board can point to septic tanks connected with several of the city schools, which have been in existence for over 20 years. There are some who declare that there are merely cesspits, but the architect contends that, call them what they may, they are exactly on the same principle as the septic tank system, and achieve exactly the same results. They have been working throughout the course of years, and the sewage (after passing through them) is converted into an affluent wichh is devoid of smell and non-injurions to health. Mr Annancl, the mayor of M«rnington, has, it is understood, caused septic tanks to be constructed both as mayor and in his private capacity as a builder, and the results achieved have been most gratifying. The system seems to be an inexpensive and simple one. Its simplicity, Mr Annand declare?, is its only fault. If it wore more complicated and more expensive, there is a possible chance that such deadly odours would not so frequently emanate from the mouths of the sewers which fringe the harbour side.