London Sewage Company : report upon the various plans proposed for rendering available the manure contained in the sewage water of the metropolis ... / by Thomas Wicksteed.

Date:: 1845

Credit: London Sewage Company : report upon the various plans proposed for rendering available the manure contained in the sewage water of the metropolis ... / by Thomas Wicksteed. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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$The authority quoted is Mr. E. Cresy, Architect, who states iu evidence— “ If the contents of all the sewers could be brought to a convenient situation for disposal, it would sell for a very considerable sum, and amply repay the cost of any means that might be used to bring it there.” Second, “ It is also proved that the conveyance by pipes is by far the most economical means of transport.” The authority quoted is Mr. Joseph Quick, of the Southwark Water Works, who states in his evidence that— “ There would be no impracticability or difficulty, if the sewage was collected into shafts, as it could be pumped out through large mains to any districts where it might be required. The expense of doing so would be less than that of pumping water through the mains and minor distri- butionary branches required for supplying a district.” Third, “ And on comparing the relative expense of conveying solid and liquid manure, we arrive at the striking conclusion, that the cost of the conveyance of liquid manure by pipes, is, at the very outside, one-twentieth of the transport of solid manure by carts.” The authority quoted is Mr. T. Hawkslev, En- gineer of Nottingham : he states in evidence that— “ The cost of ti-ansmitting water to a distance of Jive miles, and to a height of 200 feet, including wear and tear of pumping machinery, fuel, labour, interest of capital invested in pipes, reservoirs, engines, &c., amounts to 2\d. per ton ; the cost of cartage to the same distance and height will, under favourable circumstances, amount to 4s. per ton.” Fourth. In the Report of the Poor Law Commis- sioners, p. 53, it is stated that— “By the application of capital and machinery, the cost of conveyance of substances in suspension in a fluid, even at the Water Companies’ prices, may be rendered thirty, and even more than forty times as cheap as collection by hand labour and removal bi/ cartage.” C$