[HEALTH & SANITATION]
There were no real regulations regarding health and sanitation
in the early days. Some of the health officials became aware that
there could be a possibility of a major epidemic unless some
sort of regulations were set and [maintained].
Once the water was available[,] people installed septic [tanks]
to dispose of waste water; some even installed full plumbing
with [3-piece] bathrooms. Those people still using the outdoor
privies were expected to follow certain common [sense] rules.
Some people had just dug opened pits for the privies[. This]
caused the muskeg ground in the [vicinity] of the privy to become
saturated with waste. It was also a major [hazard] if the owner
of the privy decided to move the privy to [a] new location and
didn’t have time to fill in the pit [before] dark. On at least
one occasion[,] a person fell into the waste pit in the dark of
night and came out not smelling like a rose. The new rule for
privies was that the pit must be filled in and replaced with
[fly-proof] galvanized pails with side handles to make the
[removal] and dumping easier. The Honey Wagon was to be
[leak-proof and fly-proof]so that the [content]s would not be strewn
along the street. Every [boarding] house, restaurant, and rooming
house had to install 2 privies, one each for women and men.
Charges for collection of night soil by the Honey Wagon were
$2.00 per [month;] for garbage, $1.00 per month. If the total
bill of $3.00 was not paid to the [Dominion] Bank by the 20th of
the month[,] service was suspended.
Persons who did not comply with the Health Regulations
under the Sanitary By-Law left themselves open to [prosecution].
E.J. Lavoie's Blog 3 