THE SEPTIC TANK.

Waikato Independent, Volume V, Issue 320, 5 January 1907, Page 4

THE SEPTIC TANK.

Yesterday afternoon the DeputyMayor (Mr E. J. Wilkinson), accompanied Dr, Frengley, the District Health Officer, and Inspector Middleton, visited the site of the septic.tank, to ascertain if there was any offensive effluvium arising therefrom. After spending sometime at the tank it was found that there was undoubtedly an offensive smell coming from the lower end of it, and it was discovered that the inspection eye to the effluent pipe, just below where it leaves the tank, had been left unsealed. The liquid leaving the tank at this point was almost clear and gave off but very little odour, and where it left the first filter bed it was quite clear and odourless. Dr. Frengley stated that septic tanks Of too great a capacity were generally failures, and that was why the Cambridge tank was not acting as well ,as it should do, for it was of 'a capacity to deal with the sewage from 300 individuals, whereas at the present time it was only dealing with that from • about 20. He feels certain that when the whole scheme is in full and complete working order the tank will give every satisfaction. He advised that all inspection eyes and vents from the tank should be sealed up, and that those using the sewer should continue to do so. This will be a relief to those already connected with the sewer, for the Council had intended cutting them off. Dr Frengley assured the Deputy-Mayor that by noon this day there would not be the slightest effluvium from the tank. This will be appreciated by the Borough Council, for there were rumours of several legal actions being taken should the drains be stopped up, as was decided at the last meeting of the Council.