years. Mr. John Hall, who was unable to report until January 1, 1913, was a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and had been in the service of the engineering departments of both the New Jersey and Massachusetts State Boards of Health. At the time the Bureau was organized, Miss H. A. Walker, previously employed on the clerical force of another bureau of the State Department of Health, was transferred to the new division. Much time, especially during the earlier months, was naturally spent in the equipment of the office and the standardization of office methods. However, as a great deal of actual field work and many studies for the improvement of sanitary conditions throughout the State had to be taken up from the first, with a limited force, additional work still remained to be done after the end of the year towards the institution of methods and forms best adapted to the special needs of the office. Duties of the Bureau of Sanitary Engineering. While the act authorizing the establishment of the Bureau of Sanitary Engineering was passed by the Legislature in 1910, sufficient appropriation for its organization was not made available until 1912. The duties of this Bureau are set forth in Section 21E, Chapter 560, of the Acts of 1910, which reads as follows: "The Bureau of Sanitary Engineering shall examine into all public and private systems of water supply and prepare proper maps and drawings of the same for permanent record; it shall examine and patrol as far as possible the watersheds or catchment basins of all public water systems, and investigate and report upon all sources of pollution of all public and private water supplies; it shall investigate and report upon all public and private systems of sewage disposal; it shall inquire into and investigate the water supply, sewage disposal, ventilation, heating and lighting of schools, asylums, jails and other public institutions; it shall inquire into and investigate offensive trades and nuisances, disposal of trades wastes, sewage and other offensive matters, and devise means for their control, and perform such other duties and exercise such other functions as the State Board of Health or the Secretary thereof shall designate." The law, it will be seen, prescribes broad and active duties of investigation and study which may be summarized as follows: the examination of, and the recording of plans relating to, all public and private systems of water supply and sewerage in the State; reporting upon the sanitation of public buildings; investigating offensive trades and nuisances, the disposal of trades wastes and sewage; and devising means for the improvement of unsanitary conditions found. Progress of the Bureau's Work during 1912. During the first seven months of the existence of this bureau, some progress was made under each of the provisions of the act setting forth its duties. Many plans of water and sewerage systems in various parts of the State were placed on file. Communities having such systems were requested to submit their maps and plans, together with data pertaining to the works. No great success can be reported from this move. Some municipal authorities responded promptly by sending all plans, a few even going to considerable trouble to have such made up. Many reported that no plans or records were in their possession. In this class a number had lost all such by fire; in some cases maps and information were in the hands of former officials, or of the engineer who had been retained on the work, and could not be obtained; in other cases it was learned that water and sewerage systems had been constructed without plans, although such a state of affairs was mostly confined to those places which had built water mains and sewers in short lengths at a time, or to minor additions to existing systems. Some towns having no plans to offer felt that they could not at present make necessary expenditures to have them prepared. A few paid no attention to the request. As fast as the resources of the Bureau will allow, the municipalities and water companies not complying with the written request, by sending plans and information, are being visited by our engineers, with fairly satisfactory results. The work of investigating public and private water supplies has been started, and the same may be said of sewage disposal plants. Of the latter there are so far very few in the State, not including institutional and residential plants; but there are many systems of water supply. It is intended to make the examinations of water supplies systematic and sufficiently frequent to keep the public informed at all times as to the condition of the water. Entirely satisfactory execution of this plan will have to await a larger appropriation, as regular supervision over the quality of all water supplies in the State will require a considerable force. The work on water supply and sewage disposal has already included examinations of these facilities at several public institutions. Many nuisances and a number of offensive conditions caused by the discharge of sewage and other matters have been investigated and improvements have been planned. Under this requirement of the law would fall the preparation of preliminary plans and reports for water supply and sewerage systems. This work is carried on wherever requested and where conditions seem most to require it, so as to bring squarely before the municipalities their need for improvements and to induce the authorities to provide for their construction. In order to recommend the most satisfactory and economical systems, considerable investigation is needed, and a study of several different plans is often required. Several preliminary layouts for sewerage systems have been made. Special work along this line has been necessary in the vicinity of both Baltimore and Washington, as will be described later. I have considered the devising of means for abating unsanitary conditions due to improper sewerage to be not the least important duty of the Bureau. In my opinion, however, the best service can be rendered the State by not merely trying to remedy existing unsanitary conditions, but also by taking care that proposed constructions shall not be of such a character as to give rise to them in the future. It has been my custom, therefore, to offer assistance and advice to municipalities and others in reference to contemplated water supply and sewerage improvements. This work is entirely in line with that performed by the engineering departments of other State Boards of Health. Among the duties of the Massachusetts State Board of Health, for instance, may be mentioned the following: "To recommend legislation and suitable plans for systems of main sewers. "To consult with and advise the authorities of cities and towns or with others with reference to water supply and drainage. "To consult with and advise manufactories with reference to the disposal of manufacturing refuse." Many towns and individuals have already sought the aid of the Bureau, and it is to be hoped that full advantage of its services will be taken, in order that sanitary conditions may be bettered and that future construction and operation of water and sewerage systems may be along suitable lines. Plans of Water and Sewerage Systems received. Before the end of the year the following plans were received and placed on file: Water Water supply and distribution systems at Cumberland, Hagerstown, Bay Shore Park, Hyattsville, Berlin, Delmar and Salisbury. Filtration plants at Cumberland, Hagerstown, U. S. Naval Academy and Avalon (Baltimore County Water and Electric Co.). Sewerage Sewerage systems and disposal plants at Easton, Ridgely, National Junior Republic. Sewerage systems at Centreville, Bay Shore Park, Cumberland, Pocomoke, Cambridge, Govans, Princess Anne (proposed), Guilford sub-division (Roland Park Co.). Sewage disposal plants at Mt. Washington, Sabillasville Sanatorium, Melvale Industrial School (Baltimore County), sub-division south of Loudon Park (Baltimore County), residential plant-Robert Garrett, near Roland Park. Investigations and Reports. Besides many minor matters which were attended to by correspondence and otherwise, field investigations were made as shown in Table No. 1. Some of these examinations cover extended periods, and a few, such as those relating to main drainage work in the vicinity of Baltimore, Washington and Cambridge are being carried on during 1913 as well. Reports on most of the investigations and studies are prepared and sent to all interested parties, for their guidance in making improvements recommended. 1 |