William Paul Gerhard

The Sanitation, Water Supply and Sewage Disposal of Country Houses William Paul Gerhard

Originally published in 1909, the first part of the book covers the general sanitation of country houses, brings a comparison of life in the city and in the country from a health point of view, dwells on the advantages of country life, and gives a condensed summary of the essential requirements of healthfulness in country houses. The soil, the subsoil, surface drainage, aspect, healthful surroundings and those which are objectionable, the cellar of the house, the lighting, heating and ventilation, the water supply, sewerage and plumbing, are briefly discussed. In the second part detailed advice is given as to how to procure a satisfactory water supply. The sources of water, the various modes of raising it, the storage in reservoirs, elevated tanks or underground pressure tanks, and finally water distribution, are dwelt on at length and illustrated by actual examples from the author's engineering practice. The third part discusses the all-important question of the sewage disposal for houses not in reach of sewers. Particular attention is given to the latest development in disposal methods, to the so-called biological or bacterial purification systems, including septic tanks, cultivation tanks, contact filter beds and sprinkling or trickling filters.