THE DRAINAGE QUESTION.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 22, 26 July 1893, Page 2

THE DRAINAGE QUESTION.

TO THE EDITOR OP THE STAR. Sib, — Since writing to the Stab on (his subject on the 6th instant there has been a good deal of discussion on the matter in and abont town, and 1 am glad to see the Borough Council are making a move, by holding a special meeting on Thursdaj next, to consider the question. A number of the ratepayers are mistaken in supposing that 1 am advocating a sewerage system, and that the Oroua river should be the channel by which we are to get rid of the sewage. I have also heard that, supposing a drainage system is initiated, the intention of the Council is to carry surface and storm water in the same drain as the sewage. I would like to point out the fallacy of this pro* poaal, and to summarise as shortly as I can, my suggestions towards tha carrying out of a surface water drainage system, with my reasons. They are : 1. The Borough is not yet sufficiently populated to require a sewerage system, the construction of which would mrolve the outlay of a large sum of money. 2. Drainage for surface and flood water is urgently required to prevent the present accumulation and stagnation of them, especially on the flatter portions of the Borough, for want of means of escape. 3. Open drains would be the most effective mode of removing the surface and storm water rapidly. They could be fenced on the road side if necessary, be effectively constructed, and yet not so large as to be unsightly. The expense of construction, even with the fence, would be considerably less than the cost of closed drains. The drains should lead into the Oroua or Makino according to the fall. 4. When a system of sewerage is found necessary, owing to the growth of the Borough, it must be entirely separate and distinct from the surface water drainage. Sewers should be self -deans* ing — that is, there must be a proper flushing power. This governs the sire and gradient of pipes, which should be exactly suited to the quantity of sewage —a known regular quantity, whereas storm water is intermittent and variable, requiring large drains, through which if sewage were carried as well, for the greater part of the time there would be a mere dribble, continually depositing filth I from want of proper flow. 5. As a means of providing effective | surface drainage, a competent engineer should be employed by the Council to take the levels, and give an estimate of the approximate cost of construction of suitable drains such as I have indicated* These levels will be required when a sewerage scheme is decided on, and should be carefully retained for future uso. In conclusion, I would point out that the increasing population of our town demands that the Council, as a first step towards improving the sanitary condition of the Borough, institute a scheme of drainage such as I hate suggested. I am, etc., -. BUBOISg.