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54
The filter beds on the old portion of the works number
16, and cover a total area of about 27,000 square yards
(about 5½ acres). Most of the beds are in a far from satisfactory
condition, and require thorough reconstruction before
efficient work can be expected from them. In their present
state they are incapable of sufficiently purifying the sewage,
consequently the effluent from them has to be treated by
surface irrigation over a large area of land, with a view of
further purification, before being discharged into the brook.
Having regard to the rapid growth of the district, and
the condition of the existing works, it has been evident for
Some time past that further expenditure would be necessary.
Various schemes have been considered by the Public Health
Committee, and on November 12th, 1905, the Council resolved
to proceed with the extension of the low level sewer
and the construction of storm water filters, being an amendment
of a scheme for which a loan had been sanctioned as far
back as February, 1903. In addition, the Council decided to
construct works capable of dealing with a portion of the low
level sewage, and thus greatly relieve the present filter beds
and heavy daily pumping.
The extension of the low level, or tunnel, sewer was
carried out by direct labour, and completed in March, 1906.
The remainder of the work has been executed by contract,
according to the plans and under the superintendence of the
Council's Surveyor, Mr. C. J. Jenkin. The new installation
consists of a coarse screen, detritus and Dortmund sludge
tanks in duplicate, an open septic tank, and two primary
and secondary percolating filter beds. The Public Health
Committee has had under consideration the extension of this
installation, so as to deal with a further portion of the low
level sewage, and the Surveyor has prepared drawings for
additional septic tanks and two double sets of primary and
secondary circular filters with revolving distributors. Means