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First Annual Message of Archibald Johnston, 1918 [continued]
and conveyed to some remote point, where, after treatment to destroy the harmful properties, it is discharged into a river or other large body of water.
The disposal of sewage, untreated, into the waters at the State is, prohibited by statute.
Gesinger Farm. Our sister city of Allentown, after several years' consideration, has recently adopted a sewerage plan whereby the trunk or outfall sewer will terminate on Geisinger Farms, adjacent to the City of Bethlehem, in close proximity to the point on the Lehigh River where the Bethlehem Water Company takes its supply. On said farm of approximately two hundred and forty (240) acres, Allentown proposes to erect a sewage disposal plant, all in plain view and close proximity to the homes of many of our Bethlehem citizens on the West Side. This location and plan of disposal will be obnoxious to these citizens, and already disturbs them and lessens the enjoyment their homes, not to mention the value of the properties. Naturally, the project will receive the serious consideration of the citizens of Bethlehem and will be regarded as against public policy and the interests of the inhabitants of Bethlehem in particular, and we believe the good citizens of our sister city will see the justice of our objections and co-operate with us, as we will with them, on this and all matters so vitally important to the health and happiness of the community at large.
Our own city stands in need of sewerage. The present method, extensively in vogue, of disposing of sewage into the ground on the premises, is contrary to best sanitary practices. To this method has been attributed several of the epidemics which have visited our community with fatal consequences. The sewerage plan will have to be comprehensively developed to take care of the city limits and all outlying territory which may be annexed or is tributary. A main trunk sewer must be planned and built extending down the river valley and terminating at some point remote from habitation, and into
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