SANITARY SEWER - Revision history

Randylyon at 19:55, 3 May 2025

2025-05-03T19:55:33Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:55, 3 May 2025
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	Replacement of old lines dating to the 1950s and 1960s would also be needed to increase capacity. South Fork lines as small as 18 inches would be replaced by lines as wide as 54 inches on the downhill end. Narrower lines between 36-48 inches would be used on the uphill areas. Future work on the North Fork of Catfish Creek, serving the Dodge Street ad Kennedy Mall areas, would start as additional funds were allocated. The city could still attract manufacturers at the Crossroads industrial park at the south end of Dubuque off the [[SOUTHWEST ARTERIAL]] on the Granger Creek Sanitary Sewer. (63)		Replacement of old lines dating to the 1950s and 1960s would also be needed to increase capacity. South Fork lines as small as 18 inches would be replaced by lines as wide as 54 inches on the downhill end. Narrower lines between 36-48 inches would be used on the uphill areas. Future work on the North Fork of Catfish Creek, serving the Dodge Street ad Kennedy Mall areas, would start as additional funds were allocated. The city could still attract manufacturers at the Crossroads industrial park at the south end of Dubuque off the [[SOUTHWEST ARTERIAL]] on the Granger Creek Sanitary Sewer. (63)

			In April, 2025 city officials announced that the Catfish Creek sewer system could not support any new projects until an overhaul was completed. This immediately affected the proposed construction of 56 new market-rate apartments behind [[KENNEDY MALL]] and an even larger project one mile south on Cedar Cross Road. This $20 million investment would include 180 new apartments with recreational amenities. The overloaded sewer relying on 1960s infrastructure was overloaded and leaking a great deal and risked the watershed with overflows during heavy rains. The city had $87 million work of projects planned for the Catfish Creek overhaul and $130 million citywide to expand sewer capacity but no permanent relief was expected until the end of 2026. (64)


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	Source:
			Source:investment

	1. Petersen, W. J. "Dubuque as a Charter City," ''Telegraph Herald'', November 28, 1940, p. 8		1. Petersen, W. J. "Dubuque as a Charter City," ''Telegraph Herald'', November 28, 1940, p. 8
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	63. Gray, Chris, "Dubuque Sewer Upgrade Planned," ''Telegraph Herald'', August 14, 2024, p. 3A		63. Gray, Chris, "Dubuque Sewer Upgrade Planned," ''Telegraph Herald'', August 14, 2024, p. 3A

			64. Gray, Chris, "Overloaded Sewer System Hindering Development of City's West Side," ''Telegraph Herald'', April 27, 2026, p. 1A

	[[Category: Firsts]]		[[Category: Firsts]]
	[[Category: Utility]]		[[Category: Utility]]

Randylyon at 19:40, 28 October 2024

2024-10-28T19:40:57Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:40, 28 October 2024
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	Constructed on the same site as the previous plant, the Center was a $65 million project, the largest capital investment in the history of the city. The facility in 2013 daily processed about 10 million gallons of wastewater from 23,000 customers and deposited cleaned liquid into the [[MISSISSIPPI RIVER]]. (56)		Constructed on the same site as the previous plant, the Center was a $65 million project, the largest capital investment in the history of the city. The facility in 2013 daily processed about 10 million gallons of wastewater from 23,000 customers and deposited cleaned liquid into the [[MISSISSIPPI RIVER]]. (56)

	Solid wastes were processed through anerobic digestion rather than incineration. This produced ~~methane~~ and bio-solids. While initially more expensive, anerobic digestion had the lowest annual operation and maintenance costs. Ultraviolet light rather than harmful chemicals was used to sterilize the water. The light did not kill bacteria, but made it unable to reproduce. Instead of using groundwater for heating and cooling, the clean effluent was used within the facility. (57) Sludge removed in the secondary treatment process was de-watered using rotary drum thickeners, then blended with sludge removed in the primary treatment process. The blended sludge was then treated by anaerobic digestion. The digested sludge was thickened using dry solids centrifuges, then transported to a holding facility, from where it was applied to crop land as a soil amendment. (58) The project was funded by the Iowa Clean Water State Revolving Fund Loan program. Sanitary sewer fees were used to repay the loan.		Solid wastes were processed through anerobic digestion rather than incineration. This produced [[METHANE]] and bio-solids. While initially more expensive, anerobic digestion had the lowest annual operation and maintenance costs. Ultraviolet light rather than harmful chemicals was used to sterilize the water. The light did not kill bacteria, but made it unable to reproduce. Instead of using groundwater for heating and cooling, the clean effluent was used within the facility. (57) Sludge removed in the secondary treatment process was de-watered using rotary drum thickeners, then blended with sludge removed in the primary treatment process. The blended sludge was then treated by anaerobic digestion. The digested sludge was thickened using dry solids centrifuges, then transported to a holding facility, from where it was applied to crop land as a soil amendment. (58) The project was funded by the Iowa Clean Water State Revolving Fund Loan program. Sanitary sewer fees were used to repay the loan.

	In 2015 the City of Dubuque purchased Twin Ridge Water, a company that supplied water and sewer to the Twin Ridge subdivision in Key West. City leaders had budgeted $600,000 to purchase the Twin Ridge water system, but nothing had been budgeted to purchase the subdivision's sewer system. The purchase of Twin Ridge Water necessitated an $810,000 capital outlay to upgrade a sewer lift station and install a sanitary sewer pump station along Lake Eleanor Road. (59) To pay for the purchase of the system, city staff recommended delaying four sanitary sewer projects until the following fiscal year. These included a new outfall of the city's wastewater treatment plant, upgrading portions of a sanitary sewer interceptor along the south fork of [[CATFISH CREEK]], annexing sewer along U. S. 20 and installing sanitary sewer to serve an estimated dozen houses along Laurel Street. (60)		In 2015 the City of Dubuque purchased Twin Ridge Water, a company that supplied water and sewer to the Twin Ridge subdivision in Key West. City leaders had budgeted $600,000 to purchase the Twin Ridge water system, but nothing had been budgeted to purchase the subdivision's sewer system. The purchase of Twin Ridge Water necessitated an $810,000 capital outlay to upgrade a sewer lift station and install a sanitary sewer pump station along Lake Eleanor Road. (59) To pay for the purchase of the system, city staff recommended delaying four sanitary sewer projects until the following fiscal year. These included a new outfall of the city's wastewater treatment plant, upgrading portions of a sanitary sewer interceptor along the south fork of [[CATFISH CREEK]], annexing sewer along U. S. 20 and installing sanitary sewer to serve an estimated dozen houses along Laurel Street. (60)

Randylyon at 16:52, 18 August 2024

2024-08-18T16:52:05Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:52, 18 August 2024
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	To improve the wastewater treatment center to process more waste into fertilizer and biogas, city officials in 2022 began the search for a consultant to design improvements to the Dubuque Water & Resource Recovery Center's anaerobic digestion system. The project was expected to cost about $3 million in addition to between $275,000 and $350,000 to hire the consultant. The digesters in 2013, when the center was upgraded, were designed to treat 31,100 pounds of waste daily. This was expected to meet city demand until 2030. By 2021, the center was already treating 25,000 pounds. The proposed project would expand the center's solid waste storage capacity and upgrade the digester tanks to provide better processing of high-strength waste and wastewater sludge. Consideration might be made to install grinders to increase the variety of organic food waste it could receive and then dispose. City officials commented that the digesters create substantial revenue to the city and were an economic development tool. (62)		To improve the wastewater treatment center to process more waste into fertilizer and biogas, city officials in 2022 began the search for a consultant to design improvements to the Dubuque Water & Resource Recovery Center's anaerobic digestion system. The project was expected to cost about $3 million in addition to between $275,000 and $350,000 to hire the consultant. The digesters in 2013, when the center was upgraded, were designed to treat 31,100 pounds of waste daily. This was expected to meet city demand until 2030. By 2021, the center was already treating 25,000 pounds. The proposed project would expand the center's solid waste storage capacity and upgrade the digester tanks to provide better processing of high-strength waste and wastewater sludge. Consideration might be made to install grinders to increase the variety of organic food waste it could receive and then dispose. City officials commented that the digesters create substantial revenue to the city and were an economic development tool. (62)

			Plans for a major reconstruction of the sewer lines along [[CATFISH CREEK]] were announced in August, 2024. The goal was to ensure the economic vitality of the West End Industrial Park. The industrial park along Chavenelle Road lies in the Middle Fork Catfish Creek watershed. Removing wastewater from that area required using natural ravines to reach the Dubuque Wate $ Resource Recovery Center near the [[MISSISSIPPI RIVER]]. The initial part of the project was scheduled to be a new lift station on Old Mill Road near the [[ROCKDALE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH]]. Three sewer lines following different branches of the creek would converge at the station which would pump the waste water to the recovery center across Highway 61.

			Replacement of old lines dating to the 1950s and 1960s would also be needed to increase capacity. South Fork lines as small as 18 inches would be replaced by lines as wide as 54 inches on the downhill end. Narrower lines between 36-48 inches would be used on the uphill areas. Future work on the North Fork of Catfish Creek, serving the Dodge Street ad Kennedy Mall areas, would start as additional funds were allocated. The city could still attract manufacturers at the Crossroads industrial park at the south end of Dubuque off the [[SOUTHWEST ARTERIAL]] on the Granger Creek Sanitary Sewer. (63)



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	62. Kruse, John, "Dubuque to Explore $3M Upgrade to Wastewater Treatment Center," ''Telegraph Herald'', February 15, 2022, p. 2A		62. Kruse, John, "Dubuque to Explore $3M Upgrade to Wastewater Treatment Center," ''Telegraph Herald'', February 15, 2022, p. 2A

			63. Gray, Chris, "Dubuque Sewer Upgrade Planned," ''Telegraph Herald'', August 14, 2024, p. 3A

	[[Category: Firsts]]		[[Category: Firsts]]
	[[Category: Utility]]		[[Category: Utility]]

Randylyon at 18:23, 23 February 2022

2022-02-23T18:23:57Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:23, 23 February 2022
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	In 2016 a partnership was announced between the city, Bioresource Development, and Black Hills Energy that enabled the city to utilize its biogas more efficiently and generate revenue. In 2013 the Water and Resource Recovery Center began producing biogas through the anaerobic digestion of waste from the city's sanitary sewer system. A portion of the gas was cleaned and used to power turbines to create electricity. The remainder of the gas was burned. Under the new partnership, Bioresource Development removed the carbon dioxide from the gas leaving 98% pure methane which would be pipeline quality. This methane would be sold to Black Hills Energy for distribution throughout the country. In addition to lease revenue, the city would receive 5% of the revenues generated by this biogas. Consideration of better utilizing biogas produced at the landfill would be made later. (61)		In 2016 a partnership was announced between the city, Bioresource Development, and Black Hills Energy that enabled the city to utilize its biogas more efficiently and generate revenue. In 2013 the Water and Resource Recovery Center began producing biogas through the anaerobic digestion of waste from the city's sanitary sewer system. A portion of the gas was cleaned and used to power turbines to create electricity. The remainder of the gas was burned. Under the new partnership, Bioresource Development removed the carbon dioxide from the gas leaving 98% pure methane which would be pipeline quality. This methane would be sold to Black Hills Energy for distribution throughout the country. In addition to lease revenue, the city would receive 5% of the revenues generated by this biogas. Consideration of better utilizing biogas produced at the landfill would be made later. (61)

			To improve the wastewater treatment center to process more waste into fertilizer and biogas, city officials in 2022 began the search for a consultant to design improvements to the Dubuque Water & Resource Recovery Center's anaerobic digestion system. The project was expected to cost about $3 million in addition to between $275,000 and $350,000 to hire the consultant. The digesters in 2013, when the center was upgraded, were designed to treat 31,100 pounds of waste daily. This was expected to meet city demand until 2030. By 2021, the center was already treating 25,000 pounds. The proposed project would expand the center's solid waste storage capacity and upgrade the digester tanks to provide better processing of high-strength waste and wastewater sludge. Consideration might be made to install grinders to increase the variety of organic food waste it could receive and then dispose. City officials commented that the digesters create substantial revenue to the city and were an economic development tool. (62)

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	61. Montgomery, Jeff. "City Methane Plan: Gas to Cash," ''Telegraph Herald'', July 30, 2016, p. 1A		61. Montgomery, Jeff. "City Methane Plan: Gas to Cash," ''Telegraph Herald'', July 30, 2016, p. 1A

			62. Kruse, John, "Dubuque to Explore $3M Upgrade to Wastewater Treatment Center," ''Telegraph Herald'', February 15, 2022, p. 2A

	[[Category: Firsts]]		[[Category: Firsts]]
	[[Category: Utility]]		[[Category: Utility]]

Randylyon at 15:05, 5 July 2021

2021-07-05T15:05:18Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:05, 5 July 2021
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	In 1970, an estimated $3 million composed of federal and state aid for municipal secondary sewage treatment became available to the cash-strapped city by August 1. The legislation committed state state aid for the first time to city sewage treatment facilities planned or already under construction. The promise of state aid also increased federal aid for treatment projects. The money was a type of reward for Dubuque being the first municipality in Iowa contribute substantial amounts of money to clean up the Mississippi River. The city, prior to the new legislation, paid 67% of the total bill with the federal government paying 33%. With the new funding, the state would pay 25%, the federal government 55%, and the city 20%. (33)		In 1970, an estimated $3 million composed of federal and state aid for municipal secondary sewage treatment became available to the cash-strapped city by August 1. The legislation committed state state aid for the first time to city sewage treatment facilities planned or already under construction. The promise of state aid also increased federal aid for treatment projects. The money was a type of reward for Dubuque being the first municipality in Iowa contribute substantial amounts of money to clean up the Mississippi River. The city, prior to the new legislation, paid 67% of the total bill with the federal government paying 33%. With the new funding, the state would pay 25%, the federal government 55%, and the city 20%. (33)

	In the spring of 1972 the EPA issued a new set of standards. ~~Although phrased in different language, the~~ rules required almost a 97% removal of organic material. The EPA paid 55% of the cost of pollution control, states paid 25% and cities paid 20%. Heavy industrial contributors were required to pay their share of the local 20%. (34) Faced with large costs, the Pack devised its own primary treatment operation at its plant which reduced its organic load from 45,000 to 10,000 pounds. (35)		In the spring of 1972 the EPA issued a new set of standards. The rules required almost a 97% removal of organic material. The EPA paid 55% of the cost of pollution control, states paid 25% and cities paid 20%. Heavy industrial contributors were required to pay their share of the local 20%. (34) Faced with large costs, the Pack devised its own primary treatment operation at its plant which reduced its organic load from 45,000 to 10,000 pounds. (35)

	In 1973 the City of Dubuque and Asbury signed a sewage treatment agreement after months of debate. Under the agreement, Dubuque treated the sewage to pass through Asbury's soon-to-be-built sanitary sewer system at a rate 1.5 times that paid by a Dubuque homeowner. (36)		In 1973 the City of Dubuque and Asbury signed a sewage treatment agreement after months of debate. Under the agreement, Dubuque treated the sewage to pass through Asbury's soon-to-be-built sanitary sewer system at a rate 1.5 times that paid by a Dubuque homeowner. (36)

Randylyon at 03:10, 21 May 2021

2021-05-21T03:10:15Z

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Randylyon at 02:19, 25 November 2019

2019-11-25T02:19:02Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:19, 25 November 2019
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	From 1848 through 1958, Dubuque, like other river communities, pumped its sewage directly into the [[MISSISSIPPI RIVER]]. In 1875, for example, individuals dumped their "night soil" in the slough near the railroad bridge. The problem, according to the ''Dubuque Herald'', was that they scattered it along the shore and not directly into the water. (4) In 1876 the ''Dubuque Herald'' editorial staff complained that teamsters were emptying their wagons full of offal from the packing plants near shore in the winter and not over the frozen channel where the current would carry it away in the spring. (5)		From 1848 through 1958, Dubuque, like other river communities, pumped its sewage directly into the [[MISSISSIPPI RIVER]]. In 1875, for example, individuals dumped their "night soil" in the slough near the railroad bridge. The problem, according to the ''Dubuque Herald'', was that they scattered it along the shore and not directly into the water. (4) In 1876 the ''Dubuque Herald'' editorial staff complained that teamsters were emptying their wagons full of offal from the packing plants near shore in the winter and not over the frozen channel where the current would carry it away in the spring. (5)

	[[Image:th-2a.jpg\|left\|thumb\|250px\|]]Individual privies on private property also caused problems. In 1877 the ''Dubuque Herald'' reported on the death of two workmen. After digging a new vault next to an outhouse, the men had become asphyxiated by gas when the earthen wall between the two pits collapsed. In August 1877 a privy vault on Julien Avenue near Air Hill soaked through to the surface and was "causing a sickening smell." (6) Privies were not always safe. Two women entered a privy together causing the floor to collapse sending both women "sinking into offal up to their necks. (7) [[WATER DEPARTMENT]] officials, concerned with health issues, checked to see that privies were not located near wells.		[[Image:th-2a.jpg\|left\|thumb\|250px\|]]Individual privies on private property also caused problems. In 1877 the ''Dubuque Herald'' reported on the death of two workmen. After digging a new vault next to an outhouse, the men had become asphyxiated by gas when the earthen wall between the two pits collapsed. In August 1877 a privy vault on Julien Avenue near Air Hill soaked through to the surface and was "causing a sickening smell." (6) Privies were not always safe. Two women entered a privy together causing the floor to collapse sending both women "sinking into offal up to their necks. (7) [[WATER DEPARTMENT]] officials, concerned with health issues, checked to see that privies were not located near wells.

	[[Image:th-3a.jpg\|left\|thumb\|250px\|]]		[[Image:privy6.png\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Do to the fact that many old household items were tossed down the privy, such sites have become important archaeological sites for excavation. This picture shows the excavation of an 1860 privy. Photo courtesy: https://www.facebook.com/pg/NBCA1965/posts/]]
			[[Image:th-3a.jpg\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Items recovered from an abandoned privy.]]
	Individual privies were also used as a site for disposal of household garbage. One of the more interesting examples of this was the disappearing spoon of [[FARLEY, Jesse P.\|Jesse P. FARLEY]]. On Thanksgiving, 1867 a silver spoon valued at $12.00 disappeared from the family's table service. No accusations were made, but no answer could be given. In the fall of 1878 the Farley vault was cleaned out and the material dumped into the river. On December 6, 1879 a boy fishing in the river pulled the spoon to the surface. It was then deduced that the spoon had been carried out of the house with waste material and thrown into the privy years earlier. As the ''Dubuque Herald'' writer commented, "Cast your valuables into a vault and you may probably find them after many days." (8) [Note: The St. Louis Museum has a large display of items including toys, money, and valuable glass jars (antiques) found in excavated vaults around the city.]		Individual privies were also used as a site for disposal of household garbage. One of the more interesting examples of this was the disappearing spoon of [[FARLEY, Jesse P.\|Jesse P. FARLEY]]. On Thanksgiving, 1867 a silver spoon valued at $12.00 disappeared from the family's table service. No accusations were made, but no answer could be given. In the fall of 1878 the Farley vault was cleaned out and the material dumped into the river. On December 6, 1879 a boy fishing in the river pulled the spoon to the surface. It was then deduced that the spoon had been carried out of the house with waste material and thrown into the privy years earlier. As the ''Dubuque Herald'' writer commented, "Cast your valuables into a vault and you may probably find them after many days." (8) [Note: The St. Louis Museum has a large display of items including toys, money, and valuable glass jars (antiques) found in excavated vaults around the city.]

Randylyon at 20:17, 27 October 2018

2018-10-27T20:17:43Z

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Randylyon at 23:54, 3 September 2018

2018-09-03T23:54:00Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:54, 3 September 2018
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	[[Image:th-3a.jpg\|left\|thumb\|250px\|]]		[[Image:th-3a.jpg\|left\|thumb\|250px\|]]
	Individual privies were also used as a site for disposal of household garbage. One of the more interesting examples of this was the disappearing spoon of [[FARLEY, Jesse P.\|Jesse P. FARLEY]]. On Thanksgiving, 1867 a silver spoon valued at $12.00 disappeared from the family's table service. No accusations were made, but no answer could be given. In the fall of 1878 the Farley vault was cleaned out and the material dumped into the river. On December 6, 1879 a boy fishing in the river pulled the spoon to the surface. It was then deduced that the spoon had been carried out of the house with waste material and thrown into the privy years earlier. As the ''Dubuque Herald'' writer commented, "Cast your valuables into a vault and you may probably find them after many days." (8) [Note: The St. Louis Museum has a large display of items including toys, money, and valuable glass jars (antiques) found in excavated vaults around the city.]		Individual privies were also used as a site for disposal of household garbage. One of the more interesting examples of this was the disappearing spoon of [[FARLEY, Jesse P.\|Jesse P. FARLEY]]. On Thanksgiving, 1867 a silver spoon valued at $12.00 disappeared from the family's table service. No accusations were made, but no answer could be given. In the fall of 1878 the Farley vault was cleaned out and the material dumped into the river. On December 6, 1879 a boy fishing in the river pulled the spoon to the surface. It was then deduced that the spoon had been carried out of the house with waste material and thrown into the privy years earlier. As the ''Dubuque Herald'' writer commented, "Cast your valuables into a vault and you may probably find them after many days." (8) [Note: The St. Louis Museum has a large display of items including toys, money, and valuable glass jars (antiques) found in excavated vaults around the city.]


	In 1878 the ''Dubuque Herald'' carried a long editorial about the need to solve the sewage issue. It said, in part,		In 1878 the ''Dubuque Herald'' carried a long editorial about the need to solve the sewage issue. It said, in part,




	But it is not generally conceded that where a city will		But it is not generally conceded that where a city will

Randylyon at 23:52, 3 September 2018

2018-09-03T23:52:48Z

Show changes

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:19, 25 November 2019
Line 5:		Line 5:
	From 1848 through 1958, Dubuque, like other river communities, pumped its sewage directly into the [[MISSISSIPPI RIVER]]. In 1875, for example, individuals dumped their "night soil" in the slough near the railroad bridge. The problem, according to the ''Dubuque Herald'', was that they scattered it along the shore and not directly into the water. (4) In 1876 the ''Dubuque Herald'' editorial staff complained that teamsters were emptying their wagons full of offal from the packing plants near shore in the winter and not over the frozen channel where the current would carry it away in the spring. (5)		From 1848 through 1958, Dubuque, like other river communities, pumped its sewage directly into the [[MISSISSIPPI RIVER]]. In 1875, for example, individuals dumped their "night soil" in the slough near the railroad bridge. The problem, according to the ''Dubuque Herald'', was that they scattered it along the shore and not directly into the water. (4) In 1876 the ''Dubuque Herald'' editorial staff complained that teamsters were emptying their wagons full of offal from the packing plants near shore in the winter and not over the frozen channel where the current would carry it away in the spring. (5)

	[[Image:th-2a.jpg\|left\|thumb\|250px\|]]Individual privies on private property also caused problems. In 1877 the ''Dubuque Herald'' reported on the death of two workmen. After digging a new vault next to an outhouse, the men had become asphyxiated by gas when the earthen wall between the two pits collapsed. In August 1877 a privy vault on Julien Avenue near Air Hill soaked through to the surface and was "causing a sickening smell." (6) Privies were not always safe. Two women entered a privy together causing the floor to collapse sending both women "sinking into offal up to their necks. (7) [[WATER DEPARTMENT]] officials, concerned with health issues, checked to see that privies were not located near wells.		[[Image:th-2a.jpg\|left\|thumb\|250px\|]]Individual privies on private property also caused problems. In 1877 the ''Dubuque Herald'' reported on the death of two workmen. After digging a new vault next to an outhouse, the men had become asphyxiated by gas when the earthen wall between the two pits collapsed. In August 1877 a privy vault on Julien Avenue near Air Hill soaked through to the surface and was "causing a sickening smell." (6) Privies were not always safe. Two women entered a privy together causing the floor to collapse sending both women "sinking into offal up to their necks. (7) [[WATER DEPARTMENT]] officials, concerned with health issues, checked to see that privies were not located near wells.

	[[Image:th-3a.jpg\|left\|thumb\|250px\|]]		[[Image:privy6.png\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Do to the fact that many old household items were tossed down the privy, such sites have become important archaeological sites for excavation. This picture shows the excavation of an 1860 privy. Photo courtesy: https://www.facebook.com/pg/NBCA1965/posts/]]
			[[Image:th-3a.jpg\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Items recovered from an abandoned privy.]]
	Individual privies were also used as a site for disposal of household garbage. One of the more interesting examples of this was the disappearing spoon of [[FARLEY, Jesse P.\|Jesse P. FARLEY]]. On Thanksgiving, 1867 a silver spoon valued at $12.00 disappeared from the family's table service. No accusations were made, but no answer could be given. In the fall of 1878 the Farley vault was cleaned out and the material dumped into the river. On December 6, 1879 a boy fishing in the river pulled the spoon to the surface. It was then deduced that the spoon had been carried out of the house with waste material and thrown into the privy years earlier. As the ''Dubuque Herald'' writer commented, "Cast your valuables into a vault and you may probably find them after many days." (8) [Note: The St. Louis Museum has a large display of items including toys, money, and valuable glass jars (antiques) found in excavated vaults around the city.]		Individual privies were also used as a site for disposal of household garbage. One of the more interesting examples of this was the disappearing spoon of [[FARLEY, Jesse P.\|Jesse P. FARLEY]]. On Thanksgiving, 1867 a silver spoon valued at $12.00 disappeared from the family's table service. No accusations were made, but no answer could be given. In the fall of 1878 the Farley vault was cleaned out and the material dumped into the river. On December 6, 1879 a boy fishing in the river pulled the spoon to the surface. It was then deduced that the spoon had been carried out of the house with waste material and thrown into the privy years earlier. As the ''Dubuque Herald'' writer commented, "Cast your valuables into a vault and you may probably find them after many days." (8) [Note: The St. Louis Museum has a large display of items including toys, money, and valuable glass jars (antiques) found in excavated vaults around the city.]