November 26.
''It is our water,'' the cry goes up but not even a whisper, ''It is
our sewage,'' yet it may be the latter presents the bigger problem. It
is not the romanticism of Loch Lomond, the Trossachs, or the various
waters around the Ettrick Forest which will ever cause concern but
rather the condition of the utterly deplorable state of the many sewage
farms dotted around the country.
Nor do the underground collecting or distribution pipelines or
aqueducts cause less anxiety. Prior to the last war and for a short time
thereafter sewage was carried in salt-glazed fireclay pipes or sewers
built in high quality brickwork. Water mains were mainly in cast iron
pipes. The life expectancy of these services was known.
Since then, however, all sorts of materials have been in use with the
emphasis being on speed and cheapness. How long they will last is
anyone's guess but many must be suspect.
Private or public ownership will not alter facts and since we are all
Jock Tamson's bairns no super efficiency can be expected. The main
concern is the raising of funds to carry out what may be very large
projects.
The writer may mention he was given the unpleasant task of surveying
the sewers in one of Glasgow's less salubrious areas. No records were
available. An unknown 4ft diameter sewer was found and running half
full. It was built in random masonry and looked to be of Roman design.
In another locality a 3ft x 2ft egg-shaped sewer was found. Built in
immaculate brickwork and a credit to any tradesman, it had never carried
a drop of water.
Glasgow is fortunate in having a good water supply and an equally good
sewerage system. The good ships Shieldhall and Dalmarnock made sure the
cod around the Ailsa Craig were not forgotten.
A. Campbell,
54 Hawley Road,
Falkirk.
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