The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, MARCH 30th, 1925. STREET DRAINAGE.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 March 1925, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, MARCH 30th, 1925. STREET DRAINAGE.

Ihk Borough Council has decided definitely to overhaul the street drainage in Tauered and Sewell Streets. For a long time past the drains in the t' v o streets have l;een highly offending and it is to he hoped the work will he carried out in such a way that compaints in regard to any offensive smell will he removed. This probably could he done by arranging for proper traps. It is unfortunate that a sewage scheme within a reasonable cost cannot la? carried out to serve the lowl.ving part of the town traversed by the two streets. The localities cover

also portions where there is considerable population. But the question of levels has come in, and the matter of the disposal of the sewage except at a high cost for continuous pumping, is the problem before the Borough Council. The wooden drains which are to he replaced now by concrete have been in use over a long term of years. In both instances it is many decades since the box channels were put in. and they are now in a state of ripe decay, apart from the accumulation of matter gathered into them over a long term of years. In Tailored street there has been evidence from time to time of late of recurring sickness which may or may not arise from the drain, hut it will he a source of comfort to the public mind to have the old timbers removed.

aud replaced by sound lasting material such as tlie concrete pipes will afford. The fact that these drains have to serve the purpose of sewers requires to be taken into consideration when renewing theniv It, seems a point whether certain offensive matter should not puss first through septic tanks betore entering the public drain. As it is. there is an open risk at every street corner where there is a down pipe leading to the drain to carry off surface drainage. The Council has a duty to the public as a whole, and from a health point of view should exercise the greatest care in permitting house drains to connect up to the new drain. Where there is a suggestion of sewage passing from the premises, the safeguard of a septic tank first to deal with the discharge should lie imposed upon, and in addition proper stench traps should lie inserted at all points where there is direct connection to take street drainage, and at suitable points ventilators should he put in to allow for the escape of gases at convenient intervals. With these safeguards a great improvement in regard to the drainage could he carried out. There is afterwards the flushing of these seini-sewago drains at regular periods. Ilotli drains nie for a considerable length, tidal, fltld in the spring tide period are Hushed more or loss twice daily, hut duiiitg neap tides, there is an absence of regular Hushing. At such times during the dry spoils there should be flmdiiiig by artificial means, and steps should he taken to that end. hv providing a flushing pipe from the water supply to ho turned in for a period daily as required. With these saleguards provided for, there will he considerable advance in lire sanitation sf the locality affected, and the Borough Council will have done a valuable ■work in which all tho community will benefit, for the public health should he better safeguarded.