The New Method of Treating Sewage.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 36, 4 September 1902, Page 18

The New Method of Treating Sewage.

The annual report of the Department of Health, to whioh reference is made is made in a previous note, fairly bristles with interesting information, and one paragraph in particular should be brought under the notice of every settler in the Colony. This is the paragraph referred to : — ' As the result of an article written at the request of one of the leading newspapers in the Colony, we have had hundreds of applications for information on the Bubjeot [the septic tank system], A sketch plan of an installation Buitable for a house of about 10 people was issued by the Department, and haß been made great use of. All over the Colony I have inspected tanks that have been put down, and moßt of them are working excellently. Apart altogether from its suitableness for use by municipalities, this system has undoubtedly settled one of the most difficult problems in rural sanitation. With a small tank and aerating bed a resident in the country can dispose of all his sewage cheaply, and without risk of creating a nuisance. Masterton has installed a system, Palmerston North has the question under consideration, and so has Nelson.' It may be added that since the compilation of tbe report Nelson has adopted the aeptio tank system. It is already in use in several large institutions in the Colony, apparently with satisfaction. Briefly, the eeptio tank system provides for the destruction by a natural process of the solid parts of sewage. The offensive matter is run into a tank, whioh is closed. The bacteria then get to work, and speedily destroy all solid matter, leaving as gn effluent only clear water. While this is being accomplished another tank is being made ready by exposure, and bo the process of alternation goes on practically without expense,* for nature does

the work. The subject of drainage is of the utmost importance to country settlers, who have a difficulty in disposing of the offensive matter that emanates from the house and out-offices. Bad drains bring zymotic diseases, sach as typhoid and scarlatina, and people sometimes wonder how suoh disease can arise in the country, where all the surroundings seem healthful. Two or three contiguous householders may combine to construct a septic tank for common use, and the Health Department is at all times only too happy to furuish particulars that will enable any workman to inatal the By stem, which costs but little at the beginning and nothing but the smallest amount of personal attention thenceforward.