The purification of sewage and water / by W.J. Dibdin.

  • Dibdin, W. J. (William Joseph), 1850-1925.
Date:
1898
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The purification of sewage and water / by W.J. Dibdin. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    some of the most obvious causes of failure indicated. No work of this kind can he complete without a discussion of the much-vexed question of the ventilation of sewers and the most suitable means of preventing offensive emanations. This subject is one which has given rise to considerable debate; but space will be occupied by a recital of only those features which are essential to the question. In the consideration of such a widespread subject it will be impossible to avoid giving a full description of the process in use for purifying the river Thames. When the question as to what process should be adopted for the purpose of effecting that great work was under consideration, no small discussion took place on the matter; and the scheme pro- posed by the author, which was ultimately adopted, was submitted to a most searching criticism. Even after the necessary works were in progress many persons who evidently considered themselves authorities on the subject continued to propose alterations of the most fantastic character, and presumed to call these schemes economical, when, as a simple matter of fact, they involved from five to twelve times the expense of that which it pleased them to call extravagant. However that may be, all the froth has now disappeared, and we may consider the whole question at the present time free from bias and the passing passion of the moment, with the hope of arriving at the truth of the matter; thus laying a foundation for still better work in the near future. As a useful guide to further developments of the process of treating sewage by means of bacterial action, an outline of a scheme for works for treating one million gallons of sewage per day is offered for consideration, which may serve to indicate the direction in which future improvements may be anticipated. In making this suggestion, which is merely a systematised arrangement of known working conditions, B 2