The average city dweller is likely to overlook the important part
sanitation plays in his daily life. Therefore, many summer homes are
equipped with meager facilities for disposing of sewage. The
old-fashioned “outhouse” which plays a rather comic part in song and
story favored by such humorists as the late Chick Sale and James
Whitcomb Riley, can hardly be considered an asset to the health and
sanitation of a summer home community.
If such a building is necessary, at least follow the instructions given
by the Department of Agriculture (see Farmer’s Bulletin No. 1227) so
that it will be sanitary, fly-proof, easily cleaned, and as little of an
“eye sore” as possible. A better type is the vault-privy with a
watertight concrete vault, wide and shallow. It should have a trap at
the rear to provide access for cleaning. A metal container may be
substituted for the concrete work. This should have an airtight lid and
must be removed frequently for cleaning.
There are a number of chemical septic tanks for sale, all of which
dispose of waste matter by the action of bacteria and chemicals. They
are not difficult to install. Further information may be obtained from
the previously-mentioned Government bulletin.