The Sewerage of Sea Coast TownsAdams, Henry Charles
Science
The Sewerage of Sea Coast Towns
Adams, Henry Charles
Sewerage
It is desirable that the sea outfall should be buried in the
shore for the greater part of its length, not only on account
of these sentimental feelings, but as a protection from the
force of the waves, and so that it should not interfere with
boating; and, further, where any part of the outfall between
high and low water mark is above the shore, scouring of the
beach will inevitably take place on each side of it. The
extreme end of the outfall should be below low-water mark of
equinoctial tides, as it is very objectionable to have sewage
running across the beach from the pipe to the water, and if the
foul matter is deposited at the edge of the water it will
probably be brought inland by the rising tide. Several possible
positions may present themselves for the sea outfall, and a few
trial current observations should be made in these localities
at various states of the tides and plotted on to a 1:2500
ordnance map. The results of these observations will probably
reduce the choice of sites very considerably.
Levels should be taken of the existing subsidiary sewers in the
town, or, if there are none, the proposed arrangement of
internal sewers should be sketched out with a view to their
discharging their contents at one or other of the points under
consideration. It may be that the levels of the sewers are such
that by the time they reach the shore they are below the level
of low water, when, obviously, pumping or other methods of
raising the sewage must be resorted to; if they are above low
water, but below high water, the sewage could be stored during
high water and run off at or near low water; or, if they are
above high water, the sewage could run off continuously, or at
any particular time that might be decided.
Observations of the currents should now be made from the
selected points, giving special attention to those periods
during which it is possible to discharge the sewage having
regard to the levels of the sewers. These should be made with
the greatest care and accuracy, as the final selection of the
type of scheme to be adopted will depend very largely on the
results obtained and the proper interpretation of them, by
estimating, and mentally eliminating, any disturbing
influences, such as wind, etc. Care must also be taken in
noting the height of the tide and the relative positions of the
sun, moon, and earth at the time of making the observations,
and in estimating from such information the extent to which the
tides and currents may vary at other times when those bodies
are differently situated.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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