SEPTIC TANK AT ISLAND BAY.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 469, 30 March 1909, Page 2

SEPTIC TANK AT ISLAND BAY.

PROGRESS 01? THE WORK. The recent report of the Public Health Committee of tho City Council in regard to a cesspool lit Island Bay has led to inquiries being made as to when the septic tank which is to provide the drainage for Island Buy and Brooklyn will bo completed. Yesterday a DouHttbif reporter visited the works, mid wns able to see that there remains now very little to be done. As previously stated in TiiE Dominion, when completed the structure will consist of thrco tanks; one, SOft. by 50ft-. , divided into threo compartments, and two detritus tanks, each 25ft. by sft. The detritus tanks, which aro built siito by side, so (hat they may bo used alternatively, will serve the purpose of deposit''tanks for intercepting tho grit. Before reaching them tho sewerage will pass through a largo screen. Special improvements mado in tho largo tank will enable it to bo cleaned out without manual labour. Tho work to bo done, in addition to general cleaning up is merely tho roofing of tho detritus tanks with concrete. Tho walling in of tho wholo structure has been coniplotcd, ami also Ilio greater portion o£ tho roofing, including (he construction of man-holes, etc. Obstacles innumerable havo been mot with in the course of tho work. On January l(i, when excavation was being commenced, a heavy sea filled the basin intended for the- reception of tho tank with gravel and water. In addition tho rock to bo cut out has been throughout of the very hardest nature, and frequent delays havo been experienced throngh rain water filling the various chambers ami rendering constant pumping necessary. Notwithstanding all this the finished structure promises to bo a rm-y line piece of work, ln'di (ho concrete as solid as could possibly be desirco Tho tank itself should reach tho final slam this week if tho weather proves favourable and should bo connected up with the drainage system shortly after. Already Die mains am laid for a good distance on lwlli sides of Iho hill, which will havo to bo tunnelled in order to reach Island Bay.