MUNICIPAL SEWERAGE.

Waipa Post, Volume XIX, Issue 1102, 7 June 1921, Page 4

MUNICIPAL SEWERAGE.

PARK ROAD SYSTEM COMPLETED. CONGESTED AREA NEXT. The progress of the sewerage installation was referred to by the engineers at last night’s meeting of the Borough ’Council as follows: — The Park Road system was completed on 26th May, and one house commenced discharging into the system on that date. On the 27th storm water broke into the system where a house connection was being made, and the. septic tank and sewer had to be cleared of silt next day. It is essential for the successful working of thi£ system to get as many houses connected as possible at an early date, If the'householders are unable to obtain a certificated drain layer to do the work it may be necessary for the Council to make these connections, though this is not to be recommended as a general practice. As men were available from the Park Road system work was started on No. 5 sewer, and there are approximately 35 chains of pipes laid to this date. This system, together with the system enclosed by Mangapiko, Alexandra, Mutu, and Ta-w-ham Streets, forms the gravity portion of the main scheme. All the remainder has to be pumped, and to allow of this the pumping station and collecting tanks have to be built. The main sewer cannot be gone on with until the site of the septic tank has been finally fixed. It is proposed to complete the gravity section with the septic tank capacity to suit before going on with any of the sewers in the area that has to be pumped. The engineer explained that it was mot a good thing to compete with private enterprise, but men were- not available to do the work by private treaty. The Council should therefore divert one of its drain-layers until private enterprise offered. Cr * Peate thought the difficulty would not be solved' by providing a drain-layer. There were 80, and possibly 90, per cent of the houses with faulty plumbing work,' which would have to be rectified.

Cr Bygrave explained that people were experiencing many difficulties. Workmen now in the town came at casual intervals. Dozens of people were anxious to have the work completed. The Mayor thought that the discussion revealed the fact that there was an apparent opening for registered plumbers and drainlayers ,in Te Awamutu, and it was to be hoped that enterprise would be equal to the requirements. Cr Spinley thought .the business portion of the town should be drained before the sewers' were completed in the residential aijeas, particularly in 'localities where there are very few houses. An effort should be made to deal with the congested area before next summer. Soon or late the pumping system had to be done, and there might be a serious position next summer in the town proper.

The engineer said everything depended on the location of the septic tank, as any variation of levels would affect the whole system as far as Mutu Street.. He questioned wnecher the money available would complete the brain sewer, equip the first pumping station, and complete the pipe •lines in the first pumping area. The present idea was to complete the portion of the town toward the railway, and then proceed in the first pumping area when more money was available.

Cr Spinley persisted that the congested part of the town should be done first. They should do everything possible to relieve a difficulty which threatened in the summer months. After a good deal of discussion it was decided to request the engineers to proceed in such a manner that the pumping section in the congested area shall not be delayed. It was stated that the site of the septic tank had been.fixed.

Cr Spinley suggested that so far as possible the service lines should be kept off the main street. This would avoid the frequent breaking-up of the roads and paths, and it would also limit the length of private service lines.

The Mayor said that each section would have to be ‘dealt with by the Council from time to time.

The engineer said in other towns experience had proved it undesirable to proceed over private land. In the course of time buildings were erected over the sewer lines, and a difficulty thus arose. There was also a danger of tree foots causing much trouble. The best policy was to follow the street With the jnain sewers.