Produced by Richard Tonsing and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive) COMPARISON OF METHODS OF SEWAGE PURIFICATION BY THEODORE CLIFFORD PHILLIPS AND EDWARD JOHN SCHNEIDER THESIS FOR DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MUNICIPAL AND SANITARY ENGINEERING COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS PRESENTED JUNE 1900 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS _May 31, 1900._ THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT THE THESIS PREPARED UNDER MY SUPERVISION BY _Theodore Clifford Phillips and Edward John Schneider_ ENTITLED _Comparison of Methods of Sewage Purification_ IS APPROVED BY ME AS FULFILLING THIS PART OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF _Bachelor of Science in Municipal and Sanitary Engineering_. _Arthur M. Talbot_ HEAD OF DEPARTMENT OF _Municipal and Sanitary Engineering_. _Contents_ Comparison of Methods of Sewage Purification Dilution Irrigation Intermittent Downward Filtration Chemical Precipitation Septic Tank Contact Bed Discussion Conclusion _Comparison of Methods of Sewage Purification._ The disposal of sewage is one of the most important problems that confront the municipal and sanitary engineer to-day. The study of this subject dates back to 1844 when the Healths of Towns Commission of London made the report which first showed the real course of the rapid increase in the death rate of the larger cities. In this country practically nothing was done until 1872 when the Massachusetts Legislature instructed the State Board of Health to investigate and report on the subjects of sewerage, sewage disposal, and the pollution of streams, and to-day Massachusetts leads in the investigation of the best methods of sewage disposal. Six different methods for the treatment of sewage are now in use. These methods are used separately or in combination, the choice depending upon local conditions and the amount of purification required:— These methods are: 1— Dilution. 2— Irrigation. 3— Intermittent Downward Filtration. 4— Chemical Precipitation. 5— Septic Tank. 6— Contact Bed. The purpose of this thesis is to investigate each method and make a comparison along the following lines: 1— Purification. 2— Capacity. 3— Applicability. 4— Cost.