Sewage Works Journal, Vol. 15, No. 1

SEWAGE WORKS JOURNAL

VOL.

x v J A N U A R Y , 1943 “

l

S p e c i a l F e a t u r e s

' J A 1

Biology of Sprinkling Filters— Holtje

Sewage Treatment at Cleveland—Ellms and W irts

Potato Dehydration W astes— Gray and Ludwig

Genealogy of Modern Sewage Treatment—Dorr

O F F I C I A L P U B L I C A T I O N O F T H E

F E D E R A T I O N OF S E W A G E W O R K S A S S O C I A T I O N S

,s B

T

A

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A N D YO UR C O M PA N Y is undoubtedly desirous o f having its full share o f sales o f sewerage and sewage treatm ent equipment and supplies in 1943.

YOU CAN BE A SSU R E D thereof by making sufficient provision in your 1943 A D V E R T IS IN G B U D G E T for space in SEW AG E W ORKS JO U R N A L including its 1943 C O N V E N T IO N N U M B E R .

SEW AGE W ORKS JO U R N A L is the leading medium today for reaching the “key” men in the Sewerage and Sewage Treatment Fields. It is the official publication o f the Federa­

tion o f Sewage Works Associations. Its low rates and out­

standing specialized circulation o f over 3000 assure econom y plus effectiveness.

BE PR O G R E SSIV E . . . be certain o f your full share o f 1943 sales . . . do as others do for results . . .

ADVERTISE IN

SEWAGE WORKS JOURNAL

For rate card and other data, write to

A R T H U R A. CLAY, A dvertising M anager

40 WALL STREET NEW YORK CITY

H E R E

SEW . W O R K S J O U R N A L 1

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH

Volume 33 Jan u ary , 1943 N um ber 1

C O N T E N T S

PAGE

Occupational Medicine and H ygiene: Its Role in B ritain in W a r t i m e ... 1 E. R . A . M erew ether, M .D ., M .R .C .P ., F .R .S .E d .

W ar and the H ealth D e p a rtm e n t:

A. A cross the N ation— Charles P . T a ft ... 15 B. In a W estern County— W ilto n L . H alverson, M .D ., D r .P .H ... 20 C. In an E astern City— A lfred L . B urgdorf, M .D ... 26 Basic C riteria for Qualified Leadership in the E nvironm ental Sanitation P ro ­

gram ... 31 F elix J. Underwood, M .D .

Responsibility of Local H ealth A uthorities in the W a r E m e r g e n c y ... 35 Joseph W . M ountin, M .D .

Hypothetical Relationship of W ater Supplies to Poliom yelitis ... 41 K enneth F. M axcy, M .D .

Joint Responsibilities and Indirect Services of the H ealth D epartm ent in E n ­ vironm ental Sanitation ... 46

J . L loyd Barron, C.E.

Tetanus Toxoid, Its U se in the U nited States A r m y ... 53 M ajor A rth u r P. Long, M .C.

Surveys of the N utrition of Populations. D escription of the Population, Gen­

eral M ethods and Procedures, and the F indings in Respect to the E nergy Principle (C alories) in a R ural Population in M iddle Tennessee ( P a r t 2 ) 58

John B. Yoilm ans, E . W hite P atton, and R u th Kern E D IT O R IA L S :

Im passe in P rocurem ent and A ssignm ent S e r v ic e ? ... 73 Epidemic K eratoconjunctivitis ... 75 L etter to the E ditor— John R . Paul, M .D ... 76 Credit L ines: A Selective D igest of Diversified H ealth In terests— D. B. A r m ­

strong, M .D ., and John L e n tz, M S ... 77 Books and R eports ... 86 A Selected Public H ealth Bibliography— R aym ond S . P atterson, P h .D 93 Employment S e r v ic e ... 99 News from the F i e l d ... 101 Conferences and D ates ... 112

Twelve issues such as this for $5.00. Place your subscription now with

T H E A M E R IC A N PUBLIC H E A L T H A S S O C IA T IO N

1790 Broadway New York, N . Y.

F E D E R A T IO N O F S E W A G E W O R K S A SS O C IA T IO N S

O F F I C E R S

President

Ge o r g e J . Sc h r o e p f e r, M i n n e a p o l i s - S t . P a u l S a n i t a r y D i s t r i c t , S t . P a u l , M i n n .

Vice-President A . M . Ra w n, Los A n g e le s C o u n t y S a n i t a t i o n D i s t r i c t , L o s A n g e le s , C a l i f .

Treasurer W . W . DeBe r a r d, C i t y E n g i n e e r , C h ic a g o , 111.

Secretary

W . H . Wi s e l y, E n g i n e e r - M a n a g e r , U r b a n a - C h a m p a i g n S a n . D i s t . , B o x 1 8 , U r b a n a , 111.

E d ito r

F . W . Mo h l m a n, C h ie f C h e m i s t , T h e S a n i t a r y D i s t r i c t o f C h ic a g o , 9 1 0 S . M i c h i g a n A v e ., C h i c a g o , 111.

Assistant to the E d ito r G l a d y s S w o p e , N o r t h S h o r e S a n i t a r y D i s t r i c t , D a h r i n g e r R o a d , W a u k e g a n , 111.

D irectors A rizo n a : P . J . M a r t i n ( 1 9 4 3 )

C a lifo rn ia : W M . A . A l l e n ( 1 9 4 4 ) C e ntral States: B . A . P o o l e ( 1 9 4 5 ) D a k o ta : W . W . T o w n e ( 1 9 4 3 ) F lo rid a : J o e W i l l i a m s o n , J r . ( 1 9 4 4 ) Federal: J . K . H o s k i n s ( 1 9 4 4 ) G eorgia: V . P . E n l o e ( 1 9 4 4 ) Io w a : A . H . W i e t e r s ( 1 9 4 4 ) Kansas: P . D . H a n e y ( 1 9 4 5 )

M aryla n d -D e la w a re : A . L . G e n t e r ( 1 9 4 5 ) M ic h ig a n : N . G . D a m o o s e ( 1 9 4 3 ) M is s o u ri: W . Q . K e h r ( 1 9 4 5 )

N ew E n g la n d : J . H . B r o o k s , J r . ( 1 9 4 5 ) N ew Jersey: E . P . M o l i t o r ( 1 9 4 5 ) N ew Y o rk : C . G . A n d e r s e n ( 1 9 4 5 ) N o rth C a ro lin a : H . G . B a i t y ( 1 9 4 3 ) O h io : C . D . M c G u i r e ( 1 9 4 5 ) O klahom a: M . B . C u n n i n g h a m ( 1 9 4 4 ) Pacific N o rth w e s t: C . D . F o r s b e c k ( 1 9 4 4 )

P e n n sylva n ia : H . E . M o s e s ( 1 9 4 3 ) R o c k y M o u n ta in : L . 0 . W i l l i a m s ( 1 9 4 5 ) Texas: W . S . M a h l i e ( 1 9 4 5 )

A rg e n tin a : E . B . B e s s e l i e v r e ( 1 9 4 3 ) C anada: A . E . B e r r y ( 1 9 4 3 )

In s t. San. E ng. ( E n g . ) : D . M . W a t s o n ( 1 9 4 4 ) In s t. Sew. P u r. ( E n g . ) : W . F . F r e e b o r n ( 1 9 4 4 ) A t L a rg e : A . H . N i l e s ( 1 9 4 4 )

A t L a rg e : A . M . R a w n ( 1 9 4 3 ) A t L a rg e : W . J . O r c h a r d ( 1 9 4 5 )

W . and S. W hs. M fg r s .: K a r l M . M a n n ( 1 9 4 4 ) W . and S. W ks. M fg r s .: D . S . M c A f e e ( 1 9 4 3 ) W . and S. W ks. M fg r s .: W . B . M a r s h a l l ( 1 9 4 5 ) E & O fflc io : A . S . B e d e l l ( 1 9 4 3 )

E x-O ffic io : M o r r i s M . C o h n ( 1 9 4 3 ) E x -O ffic io : E a r n e s t B o y c e ( 1 9 4 3 ) E x-O ffic io : F . W . G i l c r e a s ( 1 9 4 3 ) E x -O ffic io : W i l l e m R u d o l f s ( 1 9 4 3 )

SEWAGE WORKS JOURNAL

R E G . U. S . P A T . OFF.

A B i m o n t h l y J o u r n a l d e v o t e d t o t h e a d v a n c e m e n t o f f u n d a m e n t a l a n d p r a c t i c a l k n o w l e d g e c o n c e r n i n g t h e n a t u r e , c o l l e c t i o n , t r e a t m e n t a n d d is p o s a l o f s e w a g e a n d i n d u s t r i a l w a s te s , a n d t h e d e s i g n , c o n s t r u c t i o n , o p e r a t i o n a n d m a n a g e ­ m e n t o f s e w a g e w o r k s .

P u b l i c a t i o n O f fic e : P r i n c e a n d L e m o n S t s . , L a n c a s t e r , P a .

S u b s c r i p t i o n P r i c e :

M e m b e r s o f L o c a l S e w a g e W o r k s A s s o c i a ti o n s a f f i l ia t e d w i t h t h e F e d e r a t i o n , $ 3 . 0 0 p e r y e a r .

N o n - m e m b e r s : U . S . a n d C a n a d a , $ 5 . 0 0 p e r y e a r ; o t h e r c o u n t r i e s , $ 6 .0 0 .

F o r e i g n S u b s c r i p t i o n s m u s t b e a c c o m p a n i e d b y I n t e r n a t i o n a l M o n e y O r d e r .

S in g l e c o p i e s : U n i t e d S t a t e s , $ 1 .0 0 e a c h ; F o r e i g n , $ 1 .2 5 e a c h .

M a n u s c r i p t m a y b e s e n t t o t h e E d i t o r , F . W . M o h l m a n , 9 1 0 S o . M i c h i g a n A v e . , C h i c a g o , 111., f o r a c c e p t a n c e o r r e j e c t i o n s u b j e c t t o t h e p r o v i s i o n s o f t h e F e d e r a t i o n C o n s t i t u t i o n .

A d v e r t i s i n g c o p y s h o u l d b e s e n t t o A r t h u r A . C l a y , A d v e r t i s i n g M a n a g e r , L a n c a s t e r , P a . o r 4 0 W a l l S t . , N e w Y o r k , N . Y .

S u b s c r i p t i o n s a n d a d d r e s s c h a n g e s s h o u l d b e s e n t t o W . H . W i s e l y , E x e c u t i v e S e c r e t a r y , L a n ­ c a s t e r , P a . , o r B o x 1 8 , U r b a n a , I l l i n o i s .

N o c l a im s w ill b e a l l o w e d f o r c o p ie s o f J o u r n a l s l o s t i n t h e m a i l s u n l e s s s u c h c l a i m s a r e r e c e i v e d w i t h i n s i x t y ( 6 0 ) d a y s o f t h e d a t e o f is s u e a n d n o c l a i m s w ill b e a l l o w e d f o r i s s u e s l o s t a s a r e s u l t o f i n s u f f i c i e n t n o t i c e o f c h a n g e o f a d d r e s s . “ M i s s in g f r o m file s ” c a n n o t b e a c c e p t e d a s t h e r e a s o n f o r h o n o r i n g a c l a i m .

E n t e r e d a s s e c o n d - c l a s s m a t t e r , M a y 7, 1 9 3 4 , a t t h e p o s t o ffic e a t L a n c a s t e r , P a . , u n d e r t h e A c t o f M a r c h 3 , 1 8 7 9

S E W A G E W O R K S J O U R N A L 3

Dorrco Doings in 1942

E x c e r p ts f r o m M r . D o r r ’s “ a n n u a l l e t t e r ’’ a d p u b l i s h e d in f u l l in W a te r W o r k s S’ S e w e r a g e a n d S e w a g e W o r k s E n g in e e r in g fo r J a n u a r y .

One year of official w a r— an d w h a t a g re a t record o f “im p o s s ib le s ” h as b een made b y in d u str y ! A la r g e fa cto r in th is h as b een th e v o lu n ta r y p o o lin g o f all resou rces b y c o m p e tito r s, in c lu d in g th e “k n o w h o w ” th a t h as c o s t m illio n s to acquire. t

Our m en h a v e s h o w n th a t th e y h a v e “w h a t it ta k e s ” to w in , in th e field, in training or at th e la th e , and our w o m e n are sh a r in g all p h a se s of w ar w ork as never b efore.

T he d em o n stra tio n th a t a d em o cr a cy o f free en ter p r ise can o u tstrip forced regim entation in p ro d u c tio n and in fig h tin g g iv e s co n fid e n c e th a t th e A m e ri­

can w ay w ill lo n g su rv iv e .

There is a lw a y s a m in o r n o te — th a t o f th e p o liticia n and w e ll m ea n in g theorist.

W e h ave se en it m a n ife ste d in str ik e s and b y th e m a n y co m p a n ie s h anded an A rm y -N a v y “E ” w ith on e h an d and an in d ic tm e n t w ith th e o th e r— w h ich has con fused th e p ictu re for so m e as to our o v er a ll d e stin a tio n .

W h en our “U n iv e r s ity o f th e O v e r se a s” retu rn s, I b e lie v e th e y w ill b rin g a stamina and force to our c o u n tr y ’s affairs th a t w ill g iv e u s re a listic lead ersh ip

—a leadership th a t w ill tru st th e p eo p le an d ask and g e t a fair d eal for all classes.

O u r w o r k i n t h e f i e l d o f s a n i t a t i o n r e a c h e d a n a l l t i m e p e a k d u r i n g 1 9 4 2 , t h e g r e a t e s t p a rt o f o u r e q u i p m e n t b e i n g s u p p li e d f o r m i l i t a r y c a m p s , b a s e s , a i r f i e l d s a n d o r d n a n c e p la n ts .

T h e B i o f i l t r a t i o n S y s t e m h a s p r o v e n a n i d e a l m e t h o d o f t r e a t m e n t f o r m i l i t a r y c a m p s an d b a s e s . 78 n e w p l a n t s a n d 1 5 p l a n t e n l a r g e m e n t s h a v i n g a t o t a l d e s i g n f l o w o f 90 m illio n g a ll o n s a d a y h a v e b e e n s u p p li e d t h i s y e a r .

1942 h a s s e e n a c o n t i n u e d u s e o f o u r s e r v i c e s f o r i n d u s t r i a l w a t e r p u r i f i c a t i o n a t b o t h o r d n a n c e a n d e x p l o s i v e p la n t s .

W e h a v e r e d e s i g n e d a n u m b e r o f b a s i c m a c h i n e s a f t e r c a r e f u l s t u d y , t o s a v e c r i t i c a l m a t e r ia ls in t h e m a n u f a c t u r e o f o u r e q u i p m e n t .

T h e w ar h as b ro u g h t back to u s m en o f m a n y n a tio n s w h o h a v e carried our ideas over th e w orld . T h e y are se r v in g our co u n tr y in p rod u ctio n -fo r- war here, and w h en th e p a ttern is laid for a free w o rld o f m u tu a l frien d sh ip and u n d erstan ding, are ready to g o forth a gain .

S A N I T A T I O N — A N D H E A L T H Y F I G H T E R S

I N D U S T R I A L W A T E R P U R I F I C A T I O N

C R I T I C A L M A T E R I A L S U B S T I T U T I O N

T H E D O R R C O M P A N Y , I N C . 57 0 L e x i n g t o n A v e . , N e w Y o r k

S E W A G E W O R K S J O U R N A L

R. D. Wood Co. offers

IMPROVED PRODUCTS FOR SEWAGE PLANTS

PIPING:

FITTINGS:

b le c o m p lic a te d p ip in g a rr a n g e m en ts in a m in im u m of s p a c e .

VALVES:

FLOOR STANDS and A CCESSO RIES:

R. D. WOOD COMPANY

400 C H E S T N U T STREET, P H I L A D E L P H I A , P A . • E S T A B L IS H E D 1803

SE W A G E W O R K S J O U R N A L 5

T H E Y C O U L D N ’T F I N D T H E C A U S E , D U T

S T O P P E D T HE T R O U B L E

These aeration tanks at the Jackson, Michigan, sewage treatment plant are equipped with Aluminum Alloy diffuser plate holtlers.

Aluminum Alloy diffuser plate holders in these sewage aeration tanks were behaving fine, in general. But here and there, a few of them were being attack­

ed. Good holders put in their places were similarly attacked, demonstrating that the trouble had something to do with location rather than with the metal.

Attempts were made to isolate the troublemaker without much luck, ex­

cept that it did look like electrolysis.

Finally, zinc strips were attached to the Aluminum holders at those locations where trouble showed up, and the attack was stopped.

Aeration tanks are emptied and all the diffuser plate holders are inspected about every six months. Corroded zincs are replaced and new strips are installed if any other points of attack are uncovered. Cathodic protection is doing the trick.

Alcoa engineers are anxious to assist you similarly to help make irreplace­

able Aluminum Alloy equipment last longer. Years of research enable them to advise you on cathodic and other meth­

ods of protection. For this help, write

Al u m i n u m Co m p a n y o f Am e r i c a,

2111 Gulf Building, Pittsburgh, Penna.

I M L L U H I

ALCOA W ALUMINUM

6 S E W A G E W O R K S J O U R N A L

L E T ME T

r r U A N

^ t t T E R V ° V C A *

THE R iG ilT rr

411TY EFFLUENT

E L L YOU W H Y :

( 1 )

AERO-FILTER IS SMALLER

c i e n t d i s t r i b u t i o n o f s e w a g e o n t h e f i l t e r b e d s . Y o u g e t M A X I M U M E F F I C I E N C Y !

(2) SECONDLY,

( 3 )

NO EXPERIMENTING NECESSARY!

cAsk us for your Aero-filter catalog and other catalogs of R E X Sanitation equipment which interest you: Bar Screens, Triturators, Grit Collectors and Washers, Chain and Scraper and Tow-Bro Sludge Collectors, Rapid Mixers, Slo-mixers, etc. Address: Chain Belt Co., 1606 W. Bruce St., Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

(4) HERE’S THE WHOLE STORY

REX SANITATION EQUIPMENT

C H A I N B E L T C O M P A N Y O F M I L W A U K E E

S E W A G E W O R K S J O U R N A L

T i m e P r o v e n !

A n I n s t a l l a t i o n o f T h r e e Y e o m a n s H o r i z o n t a l S e w a g e P u m p s a t t h e G a l e s b u r g S a n i ­ t a r y D i s t r i c t P l a n t , G a l e s b u r g , 111. O n e i s a 1 0 - i n c h P u m p , t h e O t h e r T w o a r e 1 2 i n c h e s i n S i z e . O n e o f t h e s e u n i t s h a s b e e n c o n v e r t e d t o a G a s E n g i n e D r i v e .

YEOMANS PUMPS RATE HIGHEST IN SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS

Yeom ans eq u ip m en t has been giving to p -g ra d e service in th e sewage tre a tm e n t p la n ts th ro u g h o u t th e co u n try fo r m ore th a n 44 years.

H ig h precision, finely engineered m echanism com bined w ith th e b est q u a lity of m a te ria ls is th e reason fo r Yeom ans g re a t p erfo rm an ce record. I n extrem ely h o t or icy cold w eather, Y eom ans p u m p s have successfully c a rrie d o n 'th e ir u n e n d in g ta sk of p u b lic h ealth p ro te c­

tio n dow n th ro u g h th e years.

★ ★ ★

T a k e a d v a n t a g e o f t h i s t i m e p r o v e n e q u i p m e n t ! W r i t e t o d a y f o r t h e n e w M a n u a l 6000 f o r d e s c r i p t i v e i n f o r m a t i o n a n d t e c h n i c a l d a t a .

YEOMANS BROTHERS COMPANY

1411 NO. DAYTON ST. CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

P u m p s S i n c e 1 8 9 8

8 S E W A G E W O R K S J O U R N A L

Short-Handed?,

It Takes Only One Finger to Operate Valves and Gates

with C H A P M A N M O T O R UNITS

Labor problems need not be operating problems . . . if your valves, sluice gates and floorstands are instantly, electrically controlled by Chapman Motor Units.

For then control not only becomes single-handed over the most widespread network of equipment . . . it also be­

comes far quicker, more positive, and better co-ordinated than it has ever been before.

Chapman Motor Units seat all valves without jamming, protect them against damage in operation, and shift them back to hand-operation in event of power fail­

ure. These labor and time-saving control units can be installed in any position on any valve equipment, indoors, outdoors, or completely submerged. See what they can do to fit your system for wartime operating conditions . . . write for all the facts today.

THE CHAPMAN VALVE MANUFACTURING CO. • INDIAN ORCHARD, MASS.

S E W A G E W O R K S J O U R N A L

It Does The Job As A PROVEN SEWAGE COAGULANT!

War industry waste, heavy domestic flows, increased solids, intense color, high effluent turbidity—all these may be m aking heavy de­

mands upon your sewage treatm ent plant! W hether your problem is reducing such an increased flow of industrial and domestic wastes, removing extra suspended solids and color, or reducing the B.O.D., rely on General Chemical Aluminum Sulfate to help you get the job done right!

Why General Chemical "Alum” Is Preferred!

For Sewage Clarification

★ Coagulates over wide pH range.

i t The gelatinous floe enmeshes fine solids, causing rapid settling.

i f Sparkling effluents are possible.

★ Suspended solids and B.O.D. are reduced.

i f Clean, easy to handle, and eco­

nomical to use

For Sludge Drying

★ Cuts drying time up to 75%.

i f Effectively increases sand bed ca­

pacity.

★ Odors are reduced because of faster drying.

i f Sludge breaks clean from the sand i f Ponding is eliminated.

Do You Have A Sewage Problem?

If you have a sewage problem —call on General Chemical Company's technical service engineers to help

you! Your problems concerning the use of Aluminum Sulfate are ours.

Please write to:

G E N E R A L C H E M I C A L C O M P A N Y

4 0 R E C T O R S T R E E T , NEW Y O R K , N. Y.

T e ch n ica l Service O ffices : A t l a n t a • B a l t i m o r e • B o s t o n • B r i d g e p o r t ( C o n n . ) B u f f a l o • C h a r l o t t e ( N . C . ) • C h i c a g o • C l e v e l a n d • D e n v e r • D e t r o i t H o u s t o n • K a n s a s C i t y • M i l w a u k e e • M i n n e a p o l i s • N e w Y o rk P h i l a d e l p h i a • P i t t s b u r g h • P r o v i d e n c e ( R . I . ) • S t. L o u i s • U t i c a ( N . Y . ) P a c ific Coast T e c h n ic a l Service O ffic e s : S a n F r a n c i s c o • L o s A n g e le s

P a c ific N o rth w e s t T e c h n ic a l Service O ffic e s : W e n a t c h e e ( W a s h . ) • Y a k im a ( W a s h . )

I n Canada : T h e N i c h o l s C h e m i c a l C o . , L t d . • M o n t r e a l • T o r o n t o • V a n c o u v e r

Everdur Copper- S ilic o n A llo y cone b len d er for m ixing w ar-vital tracer bul­

let powder. M ade by The H. K. Porter Com­

pany, Inc.

■ V ■ ■ ■ ■ «

tracer bullet powder*••

T HE S E CONE B L E N D E R S

Everdur* gets the call for these and other endurance lim it, fights fatigue . . . it is rea tough war tasks for the same basic reasons ily w e ld e d and id eally suited to engine«

that made this c o p p e r -s ilic o n alloy so in g con stru ctio n in v o lv in g b oth wroug useful in sew age treatment plants. It is and cast parts. T h ese are so m e o f t strong, rust-proof and high ly resist- reasons w hy Everdur M etal is

An a c o n dA

ant to corrosion . . . it has a h igh such great dem and today. «

• R e g i s t e r e d in U . S . P a t e n t Oflic<

T H E A M E R IC A N B R A S S C O M P A ATV ^ t

S E W A G E W O R K S J O U R N A L

VERTICAL SEWAGE PUMP IDEAL FOR WAR SERVICE

SHIPPED AS COMPLETE UNIT FOR QUICK INSTALLATION

• Minimum Critical M aterials

• N o Extended Shafting W ith Interm ed iate B earin gs

• Occupies Sm all A m ou n t o f F loor Space

• N o S uperstructure Required

• Shorter T im e and L e s s L abor for Installation

• Standard Motor U sed

• Saves Scarce M aintenance L abor

• Flexible Coupling B e tw e e n M otor and P u m p

• Highly Efficient N on-C logging Im p eller

• Protection A gainst F lood ing

CHICAGO P U M P COI

2 3 3 6 W o lfra m S tre e t, C H I C A G O , I L L . P h o n e B R U n i w i r L 4 1 1 0

r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s t h r o u g h o u t t h e u n i t e d

--- —

S T A T E S A N D F O P E I G N C O U N T R IE S

12 S E W A G E W O R K S J O U R N A L

The January Issue of the

Journal of the American Water Works Association

o ffe r s A tw elve-p ag e a rtic le on

Maintenance of Water Supply in Britain Under War Conditions re p rin te d fro m th e B ritish p u b lic a tio n

an d seven teen o th e r articles co m prisin g in all 100 pa g es

on th e m a n y asp ects o f w a ter w orks o p era tio n in w a r tim e p lu s

New Drinking Water Standards

released re ce n tly by th e JJ. S. P ublic H ealth Service

an d tw e n ty -tw o pages o f a b stra c ts o f w o rld ’s w a te r w ork s lite r a tu r e , in clu din g a sectio n on w a r tim e w a te r w orks p r o b le m s

This is a typical sam ple of the The JOURNAL is n o t th e only b o d y o f m a t e r i a l w h ic h g o e s service rendered to its m em b ers by m on th ly to the 4,441 sanitary en- th e A ssociation. Special m a ilin g s gineers, ch em ists, bacteriologists, go o u t on im p o rtan t WPB regula- a c c o u n ta n ts, p r o fesso r s, p u b lic tions and other sign ificant w artim e health officials, and large and sm all inform ation of w h ich th e m em bers p lant operators who belong to th e need to be im m ed ia tely apprised.

Am erican Water Works Associa- C on feren ces on w a r t im e w a te r tion, keeping busy m en posted on works operation are being held all la test scientific developm ents and over th e country by local section s, w artim e provisions. You can still Im p o r ta n t g o v e r n m e n t officia ls apply for m em bership as of Janu- an(^ m ilitary figures are addressing ary 1st and so begin your file of th e these groups. The 63rd an n u al JOURNAL—the waterworks period- m eetin g of th e m em b ersh ip as a ical w hich is a virtual operating whole convene in Cleveland in m a n u a l—w ith the first issue of J u n e-

Volum e 35. W rite f o r f u ll in fo rm a tio n to :

THE AMERICAN WATER W O RKS A SSO CIATIO N

22 East AOtts Street New York, N . Y.

V o l. 14, N o . 6 A R M Y S E W A G E T R E A T M E N T P L A N T S

1229 sion Office was created and the South Atlantic Division Office moved from Richmond, Virginia, to Atlanta, Georgia. In the near future the Southwestern Division and Ohio River Division Offices will probably be moved to the city having Service Command Headquarters.

On July 15, 1942, the basic reorganizational directive took effect.

The Corps Areas became the Service Commands. Under this reorgani­

zation the Division Engineer has been placed on the Staff of the Service Commander as Director of Real Estate, Repairs and Utilities. All directives pass through the Service Command. The Services of Supply Organization Manual includes Army Regulations No. 100-80, revised August 10, 1942, on Repairs & Utilities. The regulations include the assignment of responsibility at Army Posts within the Continental United States, authority for emergency work, annual estimates, request for funds, distribution of funds, military and civilian personnel, records and reports, accountability, purchasing and contracting, construction and maintenance, equipment and special purpose vehicles and channels of communications.

The Tentative Repairs and Utilities Regulations comprising Chap­

ter XII, Orders and Regulations, Corps of Engineers, were revised on July 28, and several revisions have occurred since then. Duties and responsibilities have been clarified as based on some seventeen (17) months’ experience all in keeping with a decentralized policy. The regulations carry a provision setting up the sections of the Division Engineer Office similar to those in the Office Chief of Engineers.

Greater stress has been placed on close contact of the officers and engi­

neers of Division Offices with the Posts to “ shoot trouble” rather than

“ trouble shoot.” Authority for recommendation and action is being decentralized to save time, reduce paper work and permit the engineer, if he is competent to make the field study originally, to cause the neces­

sary action to be initiated.

Since the authority for new construction by the Corps of Engineers does not rest with the Service Command, a policy has been established which is as follows: When the Area Engineer certifies that construction and utilities of military cantonments is complete and the Division E n­

gineer takes over the operation of the post, no arguments ensue as to whether the job is completed or not, although some deficiencies may be filed. If construction is found unsatisfactory, it is the task of R & U (the Post Engineer) to alter the physical plant so it will function prop­

erly; Engineer Service Army funds are used for this work. In the present fiscal set-up the Office Chief of Engineers authorizes expendi­

ture of funds allotted to the Division Office for non-recurrent items above $10,000. Recurring items are administered entirely within the Division Office.

The R & U Branch, OCE, is continuing engineering investigation on special operating problems common to or confronting a number of posts and rendering technical assistance to the Division Offices when re­

quested. Every effort is being made to operate the Washington Office

with a small number of officers, engineers and professional men.

14 S E W A G E W O R K S J O U R N A L

A REPORT TO OUR CUSTOMERS

Including Uncle Sam

T

We— th e m em b ers o f th e C ast Iron P ipe R esearch A ssociation —m akers o f p ip e for w ater, gas an d sew er m a in s—are s till in th e p o sitio n o f having th o u sa n d s o f c u s­

tom ers b u t o n ly o n e to w h om w e can g u a r a n te e delivery u n d er w artim e re­

strictio n s.

T h a t N o. 1 C ustom er is U n cle Sam . And in sp ite o f increased cap acities, our fa cilities have been strained to th e la st lad le to fu rn ish cast iron pipe for A r m y a n d N a v y tr a in in g c a m p s ; a ir fie ld s ; n a v a l b a s e s ; o r d n a n c e a r s e n a ls ; t a n k a n d a ir ­ p l a n e p l a n t s a n d s h ip y a r d s , a n d th e ir

h o u s in g r e q u ir e m e n ts , a s w e ll a s e s s e n ­ tia l c iv ilia n p r o je c ts .

Also, we are m ak in g or m a ch in in g in our foundries and m a ch in e shops—g u n s ; s h e lls ; ta n k a n d p la n e p a r t s ; m a c h in e to o l c a s tin g s ; lin e r s f o r D ie se l M a r in e e n g in e s ; p r o p e lle r s h a f ts a n d o t h e r s h ip c a s tin g s ; c h e m ic a l a n d o t h e r c a s tin g s ; p r e s s e s f o r m a k in g a r m o r p l a t e , s h e lls , a n d f o r d e h y d r a tin g g u n p o w d e r .

To th o u sa n d s o f our cu sto m ers, w hose req u irem en ts for needed exten sion s o f w ater, gas and sew er m a in s we have been u n ab le to supply, w e have th is to report: T he clouds o f war have a p la t­

in u m lin in g .

W hen you can get th e ca st iron pipe

you w a n t, an d n eed , it w ill be b e tte r th a n tw o years ago—b e t t e r th a n e v e r . Our step p ed -u p w a rtim e p ro d u ctio n a lo n e w ou ld be b o u n d to reflect progress in d esign an d m a n u fa c tu r e . T h e p l a n t re s e a r c h o f our m em b ers— th e f i e l d r e ­ s e a r c h o f our A ssociation — th e in ten sified la b o r a to r y c o n tr o ls , from raw m a teria ls to fin ish ed p rod u ct, m a d e n ecessary by greater p rod u ction — are a c o n tin u in g program .

For th is im p r o v e d c a s t ir o n p i p e w h ich w e are d eliverin g tod ay to our N o. 1 C ustom er— w h ich few o f our regu lar c u s ­ tom ers have h ad an o p p o rtu n ity to lay—

we b egan to prepare te n years before Pearl H arbor. T w o years ago, ou r c o ­ operative stu d y w ith lea d in g c o n s u ltin g en gin eers rep resen tin g p ip e u sers, u n d er th e au sp ices o f th e A m erican S tan d ard s A ssociation , ca m e to fr u itio n in th e a d o p tio n o f th e A . S . A . L a w o f D e sig n for ca st iron pip e in u n d erg ro u n d service.

We are now m a k in g ca st iron p ip e a c ­ cording to th is new L a w o f D e s ig n— th e m o st m od ern o f a ll pressure p ip e for w ater, gas an d sew er m a in s— w ith a ll th e in h e r e n t virtu es o f th e c a st iron pipe you have previously la id . T h is is p ip e w orth w a itin g for i f you r re q u ir e m e n ts for p e r m a n e n t i n s t a l la t i o n s ca n p ossib ly b e d e fe r r e d . W e r e p e a t— p ip e w o r th w a itin g for.

Cast Iron Pipe R esearch A ssociation , T h o m a s F. W olfe, E ngin eer, Peoples G as B u ild in g , C hicago.

MEMBERSHIP OF THE

CAST IRON PIPE RESEARCH ASSOCIATION

A l a b a m a P i p e C o m p a n y G l a m o r g a n P i p e & F o u n d r y C o . P a c i f i c S t a t e s C a s t I r o n P i p e C o . A m e r i c a n C a s t I r o n P i p e C o . L y n c h b u r g F o u n d r y C o m p a n y U n i t e d S t a t e s P i p e a n d F o u n d r y C o . J a m e s B . C l o w & S o n s M c W a n e C a s t I r o n P i p e C o . W a r r e n F o u n d r y & P i p e C o . D o n a l d s o n I r o n C o . N a t i o n a l C a s t I r o n P i p e C o . R . D . W o o d C o m p a n y

;««Sewage W orks Journal

P u b lis h e d by

Federation of Sewage Works Associations

) L a n c a s te r , P a .

C o p y r i g h t , 1 9 4 3 , b y F e d e r a t i o n o f S e w a g e W o r k s A s s o c i a t i o n s

P l a n t O p e r a t i o n :

S h o r e P o l l u t i o n R e d u c t i o n a t S a n F r a n c i s c o . By Ch a r l e s Gi l m a n Hy d e ... 3

T h e B i o l o g y o f S e w a g e S p r i n k l i n g F i l t e r s . By R . H . Ho l t j e ... 1 4

G e n e a l o g y o f M o d e r n S e w a g e T r e a t m e n t , a P r o d u c t o f S a n i t a r y , C h e m i c a l a n d M e t a l ­ l u r g i c a l E n g i n e e r i n g . By Jo h n Y . N . Do r r... ... 3 0

S e w a g e T r e a t m e n t P r o b l e m s i n C l e v e l a n d , O h i o . B y J . W . E l l m s . D i s c u s s i o n b y J o h n J . W i r t s ... 40

S e w a g e R e s e a r c h :

P r e - t r e a t m e n t o f A c i d C h e m i c a l W a s t e s . By Wi l l e m Ru d o l f s. D i s c u s s i o n b y El- s o n T . Ki l l a m ... 4 8

A n a e r o b i c D i g e s t i o n . I I N i t r o g e n C h a n g e s a n d L o s s e s D u r i n g A n a e r o b i c D i g e s t i o n . By J . R . Sn e l l ... 5 6

I n d u s t r i a l W a s t e s :

C h a r a c t e r i s t i c s a n d T r e a t m e n t o f P o t a t o D e h y d r a t i o n W a s t e s . By Ha r o l d Fa r n s­ w o r t h Gr a y a n d Ha r v e y E . Lu d w i g ... 7 1

S t r e a m P o l l u t i o n :

S e w a g e , A l g a e a n d F i s h . By Fl o y d J . Br i n l e y ... 7 8

T h e O p e r a t o r ’ s C o r n e r :

P e r s o n n e l P r o b l e m s ... 8 4

M o r e A b o u t S e l e c t i v e S e r v i c e ... 8f3

T h e G a d g e t D e p a r t m e n t :

A B . O . D . C a l c u l a t o r . By Pa u l L . Br u n n e r... 8 6

A S l u d g e - L e v e l M e a s u r i n g a n d S a m p l i n g D e v i c e . By Ma t t K i r n ... 8 9

A S l u d g e P u m p P i s t o n C l e a n e r ... 9 0

R e h a b i l i t a t i o n o f T r i c k l i n g F i l t e r B e d s . By F . E . Jo h n s o n ... 9 1

B a r k f r o m t h e D a i l y L o g ... , ... 9 5

E x t r a c t s f r o m 1 9 4 0 R e p o r t o f D i v i s i o n o f S e w a g e D i s p o s a l , C l e v e l a n d , O h i o . By J . W . El l m s:

E a s t e r l y S e w a g e T r e a t m e n t P l a n t . By Jo h n J . Wi r t s ... 9 9

W e s t e r l y S e w a g e T r e a t m e n t P l a n t . By Wa l t e r E . Ge r d e l ... 1 0 4

S o u t h e r l y S e w a g e T r e a t m e n t P l a n t . By G . E . Fl o i v e r ... 1 1 0

T i p s a n d Q u i p s ... 1 1 6

W e s t e r n N e w Y o r k S e c t i o n E l e c t s O f f i c e r s — D i s c u s s P u m p s a n d S a f e t y ... 1 1 9

E d i t o r i a l :

P o l i o m y e l i t i s a n d S e w a g e ... 1 2 2

• t-rfM iTFCHNIKI 1

2 S E W A G E W O E K S J O U R N A L J a n u a r y , 1943

P r o c e e d i n g s o f L o c a l A s s o c i a t i o n s :

1 2 5 N ew E n g la n d Sew age W orks A ssociation ...

N o rth D a k o ta W a te r a n d Sew age W orks C onference ... ~^6 C an ad ian I n s titu te on Sew age a n d S a n i t a t i o n ... ^ 0

F e d e r a t i o n A f f a i r s :

M inutes of M eeting of 1 9 4 2 B o a rd of C ontrol ... 1 '^

M inutes of th e E lectio n Com m ittee of B o ard of C ontrol ... 1 4 2 M inutes of M eeting of 1 9 4 3 B o ard of C ontrol ... 143 R e p o rt of S e c retary ... 141 R e p o rt of C ivilian D efense Com m ittee ... 150

R e v i e w s a n d A b s t r a c t s :

V o rtice lla as a n In d ic a to r O rganism fo r A c tiv a ted Sludge. By T. B. R e y n o l d s o n . . 155 T re a tm e n t of V eg etab le C annery W astes. B y N . H . S a n b o r n ... 155 Chemical T rea tm e n t of L a u n d ry W astes. B y P o s t e r D e e S n e l l a n d M i t c h e l l P a i n 157 A S uggested M ethod fo r N e u tra liz in g W aste P ic k lin g A cid Effluents. B y P . S m i t h 157 C a lifo rn ia Sewage W orks J o u rn a l ... 158 Scum Rem oval fro m S ed im en tatio n T anks. B y E . S. H a m l i n ... 1 6 0 Synopsis of t h e P ra c tic a l D ifficulties of R iver P o llu tio n P re v e n tio n . B y A . S e a t o n 161

R e f e r e n c e s t o S e w a g e L i t e r a t u r e ... 162

F e d e r a t i o n o f S e w a g e W o r k s A s s o c i a t i o n s , S e c r e t a r i e s o f M e m b e r A s s o c i a t i o n s . . . . 166

Plant Operation

S H O R E P O L L U T I O N R E D U C T I O N A T S A N F R A N C I S C O *

B y Ch a r l e s Gi l m a n I Iy d e

Consulting Sanitary Engineer, Department of Public Health, San Francisco

Foreword .—Sewerage improvements, including sewage treatment and disposal, are presumably undertaken with the expectation that some definite benefit will accrue. Without such a salutary result the effort and expenditure involved would not only be meaningless but would represent a positive loss. Fortunately, in most instances, the benefits are positive, although perhaps incapable of being calculated in money terms. Rather are they to be reckoned in terms of greater hy­

gienic safety, or a cleaner environment, or both.

It is wise for any community which has made its investment in im­

proved sewerage, and undertaken to meet the annual costs of the thereby increased obligations, to review the results from time to time and determine what advantages have been secured and what sort of a dividend is being obtained. This paper attempts to indicate the sewerage improvements which have recently been made in San F ran ­ cisco, to state the immediate purpose thereof, and to show what results have been achieved.

This writer has been able to discover little or no positive evidence that typhoid fever or other water-borne diseases, or ill health in gen­

eral, have followed the use of sewage polluted water for swimming or other recreational purposes. That the theoretic possibility exists must be conceded. It probably is in the public interest to assume that danger lurks in such practices.

Quite aside from such considerations, a clean environment is worth having for its own sake. There is no cleaner large group of people in the world than that resident in the United States. Enormous amounts of money are spent annually by Americans on soap for laundry and bath, and on the dry cleaning and pressing of wearing apparel. People who are willing to spend such enormous sums for personal cleanliness and appearance are or should be willing to spend the amounts neces­

sary to provide for that degree of environmental cleanness which is obtainable through adequate sewerage and rational sewage treatment.

H i s t o r y o f Se w a g e Co n d i t i o n s a n d Im p r o v e m e n t s

From the beginning of sewerage in San Francisco the sewage has been disposed of by dilution in Pacific Ocean, Golden Gate Strait and

A n n u a l F a ll Convention of th e C a lifo rn ia Sewage W orks As- 1942.

3

* P resen ted a t the F ifte e n th soeiatiM jJLtis Angeles, S ept. 21,

jpES.

■ 1 X IIITFIU V \ \

4

San Francisco Bay. P rior to 1899 when C. E. Grunsky, as City E ngi­

neer, made his justly famous study and report on sewerage conditions, with recommendations as to improved sewerage (1), the sewers genei- ally had been built in haphazard fashion and carried to the most con­

venient points of outfall regardless of esthetic or sanitary considera­

tions. It has been stated that there were some 125 separate sewer outlets at that time (2). Under the Grunsky plan the sewage of the city was to he concentrated at six main outfalls located between China Point, at the extreme southeast city limit on San Francisco Bay, and Mile Bock, at the extreme northwesterly limit of the city near Point Lobos. Point Lobos may, perhaps, be considered as the place of de­

marcation between Pacific Ocean and Golden Gate Strait.

The Grunsky report served to call the attention of the citizens to the gross mistakes and inadequacies of the existing sewerage systems, if indeed they could be called systems. It also served as a guide to new construction and the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the older sewers.

During the 20-year period ending in 1935 approximately $17,500,000 was expended on the construction of new sewers and the replacement and extension of old sewers (2). None of this money was expended for sewage treatment. Shore conditions were, however, improved by the elimination of numerous outfalls. The situation at Bakers Beach was temporarily bettered by conveying the sewage concentrated at this point to deep water through an 18-inch cast-iron outfall 800 feet long.

Unfortunately this pipe line developed a number of breaks which essen­

tially destroyed its utility.

In 1938 the City Engineer, John J. Casey, reported that a program designed to satisfy only the more pressing needs of the sewerage system with respect to the extension of necessary main sewers, and the replace­

ment of obsolete existing sewers, would entail an expenditure of not less than $13,000,000.

At that date many of the existing sewers were still inadequate, many were in a deplorable physical condition, and the separation of sanitary sewage from storm drainage was greatly needed in certain sections of the city. That situation still obtains.

On November 7, 1933, the citizens voted P.W.A. sewer bonds in the sum of $2,625,000 to provide certain essential sewerage improvements and a limited amount of sewage treatment. The sum nominally avail­

able for the latter undertaking, including the elimination of certain out­

falls by pumping the sewage to other points, was $1,300,000. The ac­

tual sum finally expended was approximately $1,580,000.

Under a Department of Public Works Order approved July 25, 1934, a board of consulting engineers was appointed to determine and recom­

mend the most suitable program of sewerage improvements and sewage

treatment which would restore the beaches and coastal waters to a safe

and atti active condition. This board, consisting of the late H arrison

P. Eddy, Charles G. Hyde, Clyde C. Kennedy and Leon B. Beynolds,

rendered its report in May, 1935 (3). Its work was ably assisted by

Vol. 15, No. 1 SH O R E P O L L U T IO N R E D U C T IO N

5 the City Engineer, John J. Casey, by W. H. Ohmen, Chief of Design, and by Benjamin Benas, Sanitary Engineer.

The Board reported that the sewage of the city was being discharged from six sewerage districts with many points of outfall. As a matter of fact there were 31 outlets discharging sewage at the shore line or into small estuaries and channels. The latter were located along the east shore on San Francisco Bay. Of the 31 outfalls, there were 19 along the Bay shore, 11 along the north shore on Golden Gate Strait, and but one on the west coast, Pacific Ocean. This was located at the extreme southwesterly corner of the city’s incorporated area, later herein re­

ferred to as the Vista Grande outfall.

The Board of Consulting Engineers recommended a program of sewage treatment and disposal which, if adopted, would reduce the number of outlets to four and would provide adequate treatment at each of these locations. The four selected outfall and treatment sites were as follows: (a) a treatment plant in Golden Gate Park with dis­

charge through the existing Mile Rock outfall; ( b ) a treatment plant in the vicinity of Piers 37 and 39, with discharge into San Francisco Bay through a submerged outfall with terminal diffuser-nozzle field in 60 feet of water 2000 feet off shore; ( c ) a treatment plant at H unter’s Point with deep outfall off shore; ( d ) a treatment plant and off-shore outfall at Visitación Valley (China Point). The Board advanced the conclusion that, with the completion of the recommended works and their faithful and efficient operation, the sewage of the city would be dis­

posed of in as effective and economical manner as possible having due regard for the suitable protection of the beaches and shore waters from sewage pollution.

In view of the fact that the nominal sum of $1,300,000 was then avail­

able for sewage treatment, or its equivalent in terms of removal from shores which were in immediate need of pollution abatement, the Board recommended that the money be expended for pumping the sewage of the Marina district eastward to a point of discharge in the slip between Piers 37 and 39 at North Point, so called, and that all of the sewage of the Bakers Beach, Richmond and Sunset districts, comprising nearly all of the northwesterly and westerly portion of the city, be concentrated in the southwesterly corner of Golden Gate Park, there be treated suit­

ably, and the effluent be discharged through the existing Mile Rock outfall situated about midway between Point Lobos and Lands End.

As the next step, urgently required but for which no funds were then available, the Board recommended the treatment of the sewage concen­

trated at North Point and its disposal in San Francisco Bay as indi­

cated above. This project was estimated to cost $2,250,000. Later, but less immediately urgent, the concentration and treatment of the sewage of the southeasterly portion of the City at two locations, as previously described, was recommended.

At that time the sewage of Daly City, Colma and a small section in the extreme southwesterly part of the city, was being discharged di­

rectly at the shore line through an outfall known as Vista Grande.

f> S E W A G E W O R K S JO U R N A L J a n u a ry , 1943

This condition still exists and doubtless causes shore pollution throug ' a limited distance northward along the San Francisco coast line. F o r­

tunately, from a sanitary standpoint, this section is restricted as to public use since it forms the western boundary of a m ilitary reserva­

tion. It is proposed eventually to pump this sewage into mains leading to the Richmond-Sunset sewage treatment plant.

Under the bond issue above mentioned the city has constructed the Marina pumping plant and force main to North Point, the Richmond- Sunset sewage treatment plant (4), (5), (6), and the Sea Cliff pumping station and force main. Sewage from the Bakers Beach district is di­

verted for the most part by gravity through a tunnel and connecting sewer to the Richmond-Sunset plant. The Sea Cliff pumps discharge into that tunnel the last remaining relatively small volume of sewage which formerly had fouled the shore waters and strand of Bakers Beach.

A sewer bond issue for $5,000,000 was lost at the polls in 1937 and another for $4,200,000 was defeated in 1938.*

Use o f Sh o iie s a n d Be a c h e s

San Francisco’s shore line has a length of approximately 23 miles.

Scattered along this reach are some 16 recreational beaches, large and small. Only two of these are on San Francisco Bay. There are 13 on Golden Gate Strait, east of Point Lobos.

Some of these beaches are relatively large and accessible. One in particular, that extending in an unbroken stretch for five miles south­

ward from the Cliff House, is truly magnificent. In its northerly por­

tion it is flanked by the Esplanade and Great Highway and has become famous as one of the truly great recreational beaches of the world.

These beaches are places of resort on all pleasant days throughout the year, but naturally and more particularly during the warmer season from April to October, a period of seven months.

Because of the low temperature of the water the extent of swimming is relatively small in comparison with that from the beaches of South­

ern California. However, swimming is indulged in as a sport and is especially favored from the beaches and coves of Golden Gate S trait and San Francisco Bay where the water is somewhat warmer, or is thought to be, the undertow less, and the protection from wind better.

Otherwise all of the beaches are used for wading, fishing, boating, sun­

bathing and picnicking.

In v e s t ig a t io n s op Sh o r e Wa t e r Co n d i t i o n s

Long before the sewerage improvements herein described were undertaken, it had of course been realized that the shores and shore waters were grossly polluted. This was manifest from the fecal and other sewage matters to be found on the beaches and in the coves and because of the very noticeable sewage fields offshore. These conditions

* Neither of these issues made provision for sewage treatment at North Point.

Vol. 15, No. 1 SH O R E P O L L U T IO N R E D U C T IO N

7 had been so long existent that the citizens had grown complacent about them. Moreover, they had never known anything better.

Realizing that such foul conditions were not in the public interest, Dr. J. C. Geiger, Director of Public Health, determined to attempt to rouse the city from its lethargy in this matter. In 1931 the principal beaches and coves were quarantined against swimming and warning notices were published in the daily papers. This excited some interest but not enough. It was therefore determined: (a) to conduct a y ear’s study of the bacterial condition, as related to sewage organisms, Bad.

coli, of the coastal waters along the west and north shores, where most of the utilized beaches are.located, in order to have positive and irre­

futable evidence of the nature and degree of pollution; (b) to publicize the findings as these accrued.

Under the immediate direction of A. B. Crowley, Chief Inspector, 18 representative sampling stations were carefully selected between the Funston Life Guard Station on Pacific Ocean and Pier 45, east of Fish­

ermans Wharf, at the extreme easterly end of Golden Gate Strait.

Shore samples were collected weekly at each station for a period of 52 weeks from February 6, 1933 to February 7, 1934. The results of this survey, which demonstrated gross pollution, particularly along the north shore, were widely heralded and at length succeeded in rousing the citizens to action. The effect was manifest in the ballots cast for the P.W.A. Sewer Bond election of November 7, 1933, above referred to (7) (8).

The Marina pumping plant was completed on May 18, 1937, and went into full and uninterrupted operation on July 1 of that year. The Richmond-Sunset sewage treatment plant was completed on January 30, 1939, began operating on March 1, and went into full and uninter­

rupted operation on May 1, 1939. The Sea Cliff pumping station began continuous operation on March 16, 1941.

In order to determine the effectiveness of these sewerage improve­

ments, particularly as related to the Pacific Ocean beach, the Depart­

ment of Public Health inaugurated a series of shore water samplings at five of the 18 stations previously employed in the 1933-34 survey.

These were begun on March 5, 1940 and are still being continued. To date, 105 sets of samples have been collected and analyzed in the Health Department’s laboratory. Military restricted areas were set up early in the current year which reduced the number of these sampling stations from five to three.

Im p r o v e m e n t i n Ba c t e r io l o g ic a l a n d Ot h e r Co n d it io n s

The present discussion of the specific improvement of shores and shore waters will be restricted to the Pacific Ocean strand. The reason for this lies in two facts. A patent one is that the bacterial sampling of 1940-41-42 has been confined to that stretch of shore line. The sec­

ond reason, which has also determined the current sampling schedule,

is that the proposed North Point treatment and disposal works are still