h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: Septic Tanks - A835599
Author: Dr Montague Trout - U188966

Inside the septic tank.

How delightful!

Only you could write something like this, Trout...

B

It looks OK, but there are a few things I'm not 100% happy with.

1. You still need to add that explanation of the difference between sewerage and sewage.

2. It doesn't seem to mention that it is bacteria that do the sewage treatment. Do these enter the tank naturally or is a "starter pack" required?

3. There are a lot of technical words like influent and effluent, which are somewhat offputting. I understand that you have to be euphemistic at times, but you could say "sewage coming in" instead of "influent" and it would be more explanatory. And people are used to thinking of effluent as waste, so the process whereby the effluent is cleaner than the influent makes the use of the word effluent not recommended.

U.S.A. --> USA

Very good.

Facinating in a manky kind of way. The description of the scum layer in particular had me gagging on my morning coffee.

I didn't drink Guinness before and I shan't be starting now that that mental image is fixed in my mind...

Sprout

Gnomon I agree.

I see my sewage/sewerage footnote still needs some elaboration.

I will also add an influent as oposed to effluent footnote.

DMT

Also you don't need a 'starter pack' - the Septic Tank could be said to be an extension of the gut. The bacteria in our bodies keep working inside the tank.

Trout

I need to get my gut extension pumped out!

Then that will be your gut effluent.

Have another look - I've got a glossary.

The glossary is good, but you've still got the note to yourself saying to insert a footnote.

I still think it should mention bacteria at the point where the word anaerobic occurs.

Morning Dr M,

After the disappointment of discovering that this entry had nothing to do with our transatlantic cousins, i did finally get down to reading this.

It's quite hard work at some points, where you go into the plumbing aspects, for instance. And frankly stomach-churning in others!

In fact, i'll admit i didn't get all the way to the end at the first attempt. There's no question that this is EG material and will finish up on the front page - perhaps some fine-tuning before it gets there, but i know you expect that in PR.

back later for more comment (once the solid matter has settled somewhat)

btw - great to see the word 'sludge' used as a technical term!

spiff

Gnomon - thanks - the idiot sentence is removed.

Spiff - Do you think you can get a community artist to draw me an appropriate blob?

Septicaly yours,

etc.

Dr Trout

Here's some detailed stuff:

i.e. --> ie
Septic Tank - History --> History
Septic Tank - Simple Form --> Simple Form
to USA --> to the USA
in 1898 --> in 1898.
percolation trench is a method --> percolation trench, is a method
in terms of health --> in terms of health)
e.g. --> eg
etc., --> etc,
4.0m long. --> 4.0m.
2/3:1/3(or 2:1) --> 2:1

The invert level (i.e., the level of the bottom of the pipe ... the lowest point where the water runs) of the inlet pipe --> The invert level of the inlet pipe (ie, the level of the bottom of the pipe ... the lowest point where the water runs)

biscuit), neither --> biscuit) neither

tee pipe (a tee-shaped pipe turned so that one arm of the tee is vertically upwards, and one is vertically downwards) arrangement --> tee pipe arrangement (a tee-shaped pipe turned so that one arm of the tee is vertically upwards, and one is vertically downwards)

As such soakaways --> As such, soakaways

Very interesting.

A few things:

1. The glossary helps, but putting it as a footnote would make the entry more readable.

2. I think you mean priest-cum-scientist when you write priest-come-scientist.

3. '(by British military)' should be changed to '(by the British military)'.

4. '(minimum 24 hours/around 3 days...', is the minimum 24 hours or 3 days? Or is this the range?

A couple of comments on the content:

1. I believe you cannot flush any detergent/chemical into a septic tank. There are 'septic-safe' detergents etc. This information is relevant to this entry.

2. You might also consider adding a note on the by-products of septic tanks, viz. natural fertilizer and biogas.

I've never had a Guinness because I felt it looked like crude oil. You've given me another reason. And, I won't be eating biscuits for some time.

Arc

I'll do most of the changes but will hold on the folowing:

etc.,
e.g.,
i.e.,

These are the ways I've been educated to write these things so be patient with me.

I'm also reluctant to change the priest-come-scientist thing. I don't want my entry sulied with the words 'priest-cum' lest it is googled by the unsavoury.

Dr Trout

The problem is, it is actually supposed to be spelt that way - try dictionary.com if you don't believe me (Sceptic? T'anks...).

B

Hi Dr Trout! You're welcome to use i.e. and e.g. but the sub-editor will change them, because the House Style Rules say they should be ie and eg. Still, that'll give the sub-ed something to do, because they won't have much else to do on this one!

This looks like another A1, top notch Trout production Into The Guide with it

08:11 my time, Monday 28 October 2002

... in pursuit of Hoovooloo's record

This post has been removed.

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