Report to the General Board of Health on a preliminary inquiry into the sewerage, drainage, and supply of water, and the sanitary condition of the inhabitants, of the parish of Selby, in the county of York / by William Lee.

  • Great Britain. General Board of Health
Date:
1850
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report to the General Board of Health on a preliminary inquiry into the sewerage, drainage, and supply of water, and the sanitary condition of the inhabitants, of the parish of Selby, in the county of York / by William Lee. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Library & Archives Service. The original may be consulted at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Library & Archives Service.

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    This most extraordinary expenditure I attribute to the imperfect state of the drainage. As a further proof of the value of effectual drainage, it is only neces- sary to examine the streets; j^ou will find where they are partially drained they are always better than any other part; for instance, the pavement near the bridge which has been done 12 or 14 years, at the present time is in the best condition, in consequence of being near and above the river. I will now. Sir, endeavour to show that it is practicable to drain this town in the most efficient manner. It is my intention to submit two plans for your consideration, either of them will drain the town effectually. The first plan is to make cylindrical drains with sufficient fall through all the principal streets, and of sufficient capacity to answer all the purposes for good and efficient drainage; and to be so constructed as to have a free current of water always circulating through them, and finally making its exit into the river.* By this means the drains will always be clean and free from any kind of filth and noxious vapour, and the gully-grates in the streets may be water-trapped in a simple and efficient manner. The other plan is to construct a closely-covered tank or cesspool, of suitable dimensions and of sufficient depth, in the most convenient situation, in some central part of the town. From the extremities of the town I would make cylindrical sewers, with sufficient fall and of proper capacity, through and parallel with the principal streets, and to be so connected with the central tank or cess- pool as to empty the contents of the sewers into it. The advantage of this mode of draining is, 1st., You may drain this town to any depth required, as the sewers are completely independent of the river for their outlet. 2nd. You are. enabled by this means to convert all the refuse from the sewerage into valuable manure for the purpose of cultivation : by this means alone you may raise a very large annual revenue, considerably more than sufficient to cover all the expense of effectual drainage. From calculations which 1 have made, I find that the accumulation of this valuable compost will not be less than 5,000 tons annually, and this town being situate in the centre of an agricultural district, there is no fear of finding plenty of customers for such a valuable commodity. The total cost of effectually draining this town, and the re-payment, together with the interest, at 5 per cent, per annum, and extending over a period of 30 years, will not, I believe, exceed 150^. per annum; at the expiration of that time this charge will cease. The amount of income derived from 5,000 tons of this manure, at 1^. per ton, 250/., leaving a balance of income over expenditure of 100/. per annum in favour of the ]iarish, independent of the saving to the inhabitants from the decreased expenditure in the streets, highways, and all other sources. This question. Sir, I consider not only worthy of your attention, but also of the inhabitants of this town. * Town's pump 6 ft. 4 in. liigber than top of wall at Abbey Wharf, ll ft. 10 in. above high-water mark, and 18 It. 6 in. above low-waler mark; 4 ft. 8 in. fall from the extreme end of Gowthorpe to the Abbey Wharf, Oft. 10 in. to high-water mark, 16 ft. 6 in, to low-water mark. E 2
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