10 P.T..
C.O.
275
41675
R
Extract from Report on the Drainage of Colombo NOV 01
James Mansergh.
1899.
After I had left Colombo some discussion appears to have arisen with regard to underground sewers, and the water carriage system generally, which culminated in the passing by the Municipal Council of the following resolution sometime in the beginning of April 1897:-
"This Committee is opposed to the introduction into Colombo of closets or latrines on the water carriage system.
"Further the Committee considers that all drainage should ever possible be carried in open surface drains, and that no sewers or drains underground should be provided except where absolutely necessary."
I think I may say that if such a resolution had been put into my hands when it was first intimated to me that the Ceylon Government desired my advice, I should probably have declined the commission. Things have, however, now gone too far and I must prepare my report in accordance with the instructions contained in your letter of the 10th July, 1893, and this being so, I had better deal at once with the Council's resolution.
This resolution refers to two separate and distinct matters and it will be more convenient to discuss first that which comes last in order, viz:- the objection to underground sewers and the desire "that all drainage should wherever possible be carried in open surface drains".
1st. My first remark is that the system of open surface sewers is one that cannot be carried out in Colombo so as efficiently to get rid of the evils and nuisances which now exist.
2nd. The primary object of all sewers is to remove as speedily as possible from the vicinity of human habitations the fouled water supply and other liquid refuse; and if a proper system is constructed in Colombo it will, I doubt not, ultimately be utilised to carry away a great part of the solid and fluid dejecta of the population.
3rd. This speedy removal so essential to the maintenance of safe sanitary conditions cannot be effected by any channels or conduits whether open or closed which are not laid with sufficient falls to ensure their having self-cleansing velocities.
4th. It is impossible owing to the configuration of its site to construct in Colombo drains on the surface that will conform to this requirement.
The
10 P T..
C. O.
275
41675
R
Extract from Report on the Drainage of Colombe NOV 01
James Mansergh.
1899.
After I had left Colombo some discussion appears to have arisen with regard to underground sewers, and the water carriage system gene- rally, which culminated in the passing by the Municipal Council of the following resolution sometime in the beginning of April 1997:-
"This Committee is opposed to the introduction into Colombo of closets or latrines on the water carriage system.
#her
"Further the Committee considers that all drainage should ever possible - be carried in open surface drains, and that no sewers or
be provi- drains underground should except where absolutely necessary ded",
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I think I may say that if such a resolution had been put into my hands when it was first intinsted to me that the Ceylon Covernseat desired my advice, I should probably have declined the commission. Things have, however, now gone too far and I must prepare my report in accordance with the instructions contained in your letter of the 10th. July, 1993, and this being so, I had better deal at once with the Council's resolution.
This resolution refers to two separate and distinct matters and it will be more convenient to discuss first that which comes last in order, viz:- the objection to underground sewers and the desire "that all drainage should wherever possible be carried in open surface drains".
1st. My first remark is that the system of open surface sewers is one that cannot be carried out in Colombo so as efficiently to get rid
for of the evils and nuisances which now exist,
2od. The primary object of all sewers is to remove as speedily as possible from the vicinity of human babitations the fouled water supply and other liquid refuse; and if a proper system is constructed in Colombo it will, I doubt not, ultimately be utilised to carry away a great part of the solid and fluid dejecta of the population.
so essential to the maintenance of 3rd. This speedy removal safe sanitary conditions cannot be effected by any channels or conduits whether open or closed which are not laid with sufficient falls to ensure their having self-cleansing velocities.
4th. It is impossible owing to the configuration of its site to construct in Colombe drains as the surface that will conform to this requirement.
The
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