Abstract
MR. JOHN D. WATSON, in his presidential address delivered on November 5 to the Institution of Civil Engineers, dealt with the phases of public works which have engaged his attention for more than half a century, and showed how the development of sanitation and improved water-supplies has brought about a very considerable reduction in the death-rate. He spoke of the Iddesleigh Commission, the reports of which showed that the disposal of sewage into an adequate volume of clean water?either salt or fresh ?is sound and proper, not only on the grounds of efficiency and economy, but also on strictly scientific principles. As a matter of principle, purification by land-irrigation is sound and still fairly popular. Percolating filters are now popular, and while this method of purification has a direct relationship to the contact-bed method, it produces a more consistently uniform effluent, is more generally reliable and the operating costs are less. Although almost unknown twenty years ago, bio-aeration or activated sludge is now established beyond question as one of the most useful methods of sewage purification. It has proved itself to be scientifically sound, and, when the plant is well designed, it is economical and freer from nuisance than any method yet discovered. Having stated the most desirable lines for future development and discussed several noteworthy schemes, Mr. Watson emphasised the extent of loss resulting from lack of co-operation, and concluded his address by pointing out that, while the nation owes a great deal to the Ministry of Health, there is still much to be done before the goal is reached when there will be no river-pollution. In his opinion, a central authority is necessary, and this should be the Ministry of Health rather than the ad hoc body suggested by the Royal Commission, provided that power is given to set up a research department wide enough to in?lude the excellent work which has been done in recent years by the Water Pollution Research Board.
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Sewage Purification. Nature 136, 789 (1935). https://doi.org/10.1038/136789a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/136789a0