The revolving distributor manufactured by Messrs. Ham, Baker and Co., Ltd., shown in Fig. 87, consists of a revolving trough to which the distributing pipes are connected. The trough is supported upon ball bearings carried upon a pillar, and the special feature of the apparatus is that the incoming sewage is delivered into the central trough in such a way that it strikes upon blades fixed in this trough, and it is claimed that in this way full advantage of the initial head of sewage is obtained. By this means also no special joint is required between the fixed and revolving parts. A special method of gaining access to the ball-bearings for inspection and cleaning is provided. In connection with this distributor the makers supply an automatic cleaning gear for the spray holes, Fig. 88. This consists of a rocking bar attached to each arm of the distributor and provided with a number of small fingers or pickers, one opposite to each hole. An arm or a lever attached to the rocking bar, and suspended from same to within a short distance of the surface of the filter, comes into contact with a block of wood or other material fixed in the filter itself at each revolution, and thus causes a movement of the rocking bar which actuates the finger points and causes them to pass in and out of the spray holes in the arms. By this means any obstruction is removed and forced out by the pressure of water within the arm, and the holes are kept free.

The “Facile” rotary distributor shown in Fig. 89 is manufactured by Messrs. W. E. Farrer, Ltd. The special advantage claimed for this distributor is that it has no joint, so that there is no friction to overcome beyond that in the ball-race, upon which the whole weight of the revolving portion is supported. It is provided with a syphonic attachment to the central column, and thus acts as a self-dosing distributor, and, if desired, can be connected direct to the septic tank. A patent gauging tube is fitted, so that the volume of the dose may be gauged whether it is fed from the dosing chamber in the ordinary way or direct from the septic tank. Access is provided to all parts, and the ball-race can be removed without dismantling the apparatus.

Among the later types of revolving sprinklers is the “Carlton Rotor” distributor, Fig. 90, manufactured by the Carlton Engineering Company. This is specially designed to obviate the use of a dosing tank, to work satisfactorily with any variation of flow, and to prevent all possibility of choking. It is claimed that these advantages are secured by the use of a special water-wheel which rotates round the central column on an inclined plane. The sewage is delivered to this water-wheel by means of a bend connected to the central column. As each section of the water-wheel is filled, it rotates and delivers its contents into an annular trough, to which the distributing arms are attached. These are, however, not perforated with spray holes, but are provided with small bends on the top of the arms, which deliver the sewage into distributing troughs fitted with baffle plates. These baffle plates are so arranged that the sewage is delivered on to the surface of the filter in a thin film and at a uniform rate over the whole surface.

A novel apparatus for the purpose of providing an automatic method of cleaning the orifices of the arms of revolving or travelling distributors is shown in Fig. 91. This is supplied by the Carlton Engineering Company, in connection with their ordinary type of revolving distributor, also shown in Fig. 92. In the distributing arm B apertures are made in the form of elongated slots A, each slot having a brass cleaning blade E inserted. These blades are carried on brackets fixed by a set-screw D, on to a reciprocating rod or tube C, mounted on runners F. Two bevel wheels G are strapped on to the arm, and are connected by an eccentric rod to the reciprocating rod C. At every revolution which the distributing arm makes, the bevel gearing G comes in contact with the stop H, causing a partial revolution of the gearing. This in turn causes the backward and forward motion of the cleaning blades in the apertures. The apertures are thus kept entirely free from grit or any other solid matter, and the flow is broken up into a fine spray.

The “Simplex” revolving distributor is manufactured by the Ames Crosta Sanitary Engineering Company, Ltd., and illustrated in Fig. 93. This sprinkler revolves on a ball-bearing which runs in a bath of solid grease, and is protected from moisture and dust by means of special washers. The whole of the weight is carried from the top of the pillar, no bearing being submerged in the sewage. The seal is arranged by means of two gun-metal rings with special annular grooves turned in them; the top ring is carried from the revolving bucket by means of a rubber or copper washer, thus the ring carries no part of the weight of the apparatus, and is free to compensate for any oscillation. Rollers running on ball-bearings are placed under the bucket, and these take up side movement due to wind and other causes. The revolving arms are provided with a special cap at the ends, which can be removed by a quarter turn to enable the arms to be cleaned. There is no head lost, as the level of water in the bucket is equal to the head in the supply chamber or channel. The apparatus is not affected by frost, and is remarkably sensitive, as 2 inch head of water above the holes in the arms will start the apparatus in motion.

Messrs. Burn Bros. manufacture a revolving sprinkler, “Burn and Brown’s Patent,” shown in Fig. 94, which has one or two special features. These consist of a self-regulating apparatus for dealing with the variation of the flow of sewage and at the same time cleaning the orifices. A shaft carried on each of the arms, and mounted on suitable bearings, is provided with tapered fingers fixed in a position corresponding to the holes in the arms. By means of a float in the circular revolving tank connected to a simple lever the shafts on the arms are given a slight movement, which causes the fingers to enter the orifices in the arms as the flow decreases, and to be withdrawn as the flow increases. The result is that the orifices are enlarged or reduced as the flow varies, and the movement of the tapered fingers tends to make the orifices self-cleansing. It is claimed for this distributor, that it can be made to deal with any variation in flow of sewage up to 6 volumes, with a maximum head of less than 18 inches above the surface of the material of the filter.

A new type of automatic revolving sprinkler is the “Hodgson” overflow type, manufactured by Messrs. George Kent, Ltd. As will be seen from the illustration, Fig. 95, the sewage passes first into a feed chamber attached to the central column, from which it flows into the distributing chamber D, to which the arms are attached. It is claimed that by use of the weirs W in the distributing chamber, a uniform speed of rotation and consequently a uniform distribution, is secured. The ball-bearing upon which the rotating portion is carried is stated to take both the side and end friction.

The revolving distributors previously described are all constructed on the Barker’s Mill principle, to some extent if not entirely. The Fiddian type of distributor, supplied by Messrs. Birch Killon and Co., and illustrated Fig. 96, is based upon an entirely different principle. It consists of an elongated water-wheel, which revolves around a circular filter. It is pivoted at the centre of the filter upon the supply pipe, and the outer end of the distributor is carried upon a rail track. In the case of large filters, from 70 feet to 110 feet diameter, two rail tracks are used. The liquid passes through the supply pipe and is delivered into the buckets of the water-wheel, from which it falls in the form of a film, so that the water-wheel not only drives itself over the filter by means of the weight of the liquid, but it also distributes the liquid which drives it. A very small quantity is sufficient to start the distributor and keep it in motion, the head required, measured from the surface of the filter, being about 18 inches. The buckets are provided with graduated weirs, the width of which is proportionate to its distance from the centre of the filter. By this means uniformity of distribution is secured. It is claimed that as there are no small holes to be choked, the apparatus can be employed for all kinds of liquid with the minimum of attention, and that it does not require any dosing apparatus.

Power-driven Revolving Distributors.—One of the first revolving distributors in which it was decided to adopt power to drive it independent of the sewage, was the “Scott-Moncrieff and Alliott” distributor, manufactured by Messrs. Manlove, Alliott and Co., Ltd., and erected at the Birmingham Sewage Farm for Mr. J. D. Watson. In this case a horizontal arm is attached to and pivoted upon the vertical stand-pipe in the centre of the filter which is connected to the supply pipe. The outer end of the horizontal arm is carried by a rail, and is fitted with an oil engine which travels along on the outer rail on the end of the arm. The rotating arm consists of a large main trough or carrier into which the sewage from the central stand-pipe is delivered, and on one side of the main trough is fitted a row of small troughs, each of which is supplied with sewage from the main carrier through a porthole specially proportioned to the volume of sewage to be discharged from the trough and to its distance from the centre of the bed. By this means uniform distribution is secured over the whole area of the filter. From each of the small troughs the sewage flows over the edges of the trough, and thence, trickling down the outside of the trough, is discharged in a row of fine rain-like columns upon the filter. It is claimed for this distributor that absolute uniformity of distribution is secured, that it will work equally well with any volume, that there are no holes to become choked, that it requires the minimum of supervision, and that it will deal with any variation up to 3 times D.W.F. without attention (Fig. 97).

In the “Hartley” circular power-driven distributor, the apparatus (manufactured by Messrs. Hartley, Causton and Richmond, and shown in Fig. 98), is arranged in a form similar to that used in connection with the Barker’s mill type of distributor, with this difference, that it is driven by an electric motor attached to the end of one of the arms, which is used as the distributing arm; and the arm on the opposite side is the balancing arm to counteract the dead weight of the distributing arm and act as a balance against wind pressure. The current is brought to the distributor by an overhead cable, connected to a revolving contact at the top of the central standard. The method of distribution from the distributing arm is different from the usual type, as it takes place through a number of sectional distributing pipes C (Fig. 99), which are connected to the main tube H. These are arranged in echelon, so that by opening the covers P P a cap or cleaning rod may be passed through each tube from end to end. Each sectional distributing tube, C, is suspended from the main tube by an attachment D. This attachment carries a screw, G, by which is regulated a valve shown open at E and closed at E₂. The flow may be increased or decreased to any extent, or stopped altogether, by this valve. Each space between the dotted lines on the plan is covered by one sectional tube, and the sewage flow can be increased or decreased, or stopped upon each section. The spray nozzles are of a special type, and by use of the deflection or spray plates M, a smaller number of spray holes or jets are required, so that they can be made larger, and they are thus not so easily choked. Among the advantages claimed for this distributor are the following. That it can be regulated to work with any variation in the volume, from the smallest quantity to 2 million gallons per acre per day, without increasing the consumption of power. Separate sections of the filter may be removed or rested entirely by adjusting the valves G. The distributor can work with any head of sewage from 6 inches to 6 feet, or more if desired. It is not affected in any way by wind pressure; and as the balancing arm empties at the same time as the distributing arm, it is always in balance. The horse-power required to drive it is very little, less than half horse-power per acre. The rate of distribution on any of the sections of the filter can be varied from 50 to 400 gallons per yard per day.

This type of distributor was first erected at the Hanley Sewage Works in 1902, in order to comply with Messrs. Willcox and Raikes’ specification fora power-driven distributor suitable for a large circular filter, on which a Scott-Moncrieff distributor was previously employed.

A somewhat similar type of distributor is the “Adams-Cutler” Fig. 100, manufactured by Messrs. Adams Hydraulics, Ltd. In this case the distribution is from spray holes in the pipe arms in the same way as the ordinary Barker’s Mill type of distributor, but instead of relying upon the motive power due to the head of sewage, the distributor is operated by a rope drive; and where there are a number of distributors in one installation, each of them is operated by a cross-drive taken from a main drive rope, so that any one or more can be cut out of the circuit or controlled, or the speed varied as may be required. It is claimed that a very small amount of power is required to operate a revolving distributor, and the ease with which it is carried upon a central column, are arguments in favour of the revolving over the rectangular types where absolute control is essential and a natural working head is not available.

Messrs. Mather and Platt, Ltd., also manufacture an electrically-driven revolving distributor of the Open Trough type, as shown in Fig. 101. This machine is of special design, and particularly suited for large diameter beds. The troughs are similar to those of the ordinary type of distributor previously mentioned, but are supported on the Warren Girder principle. There are four pipe arms, the end of each being fitted with a special carriage running on rails fixed outside the bed at the floor level. On one of the carriages an electric motor is fixed and connected to the rail wheels by means of chain drives. The current is transferred to the motor from the main at the top of the central, pole of the distributor by means of slip rings.

Automatic Travelling Distributors.—There are several types of these on the market at present. The first is manufactured by Messrs. Birch Killon and Co., Fig. 102, and is constructed on the Fiddian water-wheel principle. The design is similar to that described in connection with the automatic revolving distributor, but it involves two rail tracks supported on walls or piers on each side of the filter. The head required for this type is about 2 feet from the surface of the filter to the top water level in the carrier, and the distributor is fitted with a syphon which feeds it from the carrier or trough. In large schemes the trough is placed along the centre of the filter, and supplies a separate distributor on each side.

Another type is manufactured by Messrs. Ames Crosta Sanitary Engineering Company, as shown in Fig. 103. This sprinkler can be adapted to existing contact beds. It is carried from the walls of the central channel in cantilever form, no other bearing or rails being required. On each side of the machine a hopper is carried in which water-wheels revolve. The water in its passage from the feed channel to the distributing arms is conveyed on to the water-wheels, and the power generated there is transmitted by means of a chain drive to the wheels of the carriage, and thus the whole apparatus is moved along the beds. When the machine nears the end of the bed a reversing lever comes in contact with a buffer, and by this means the direction of motion is changed, and the machine travels backwards along the bed. Two distributing arms are carried on each side of the apparatus, one feeding half the bed in one direction and the other feeding the remaining portion of the bed in the opposite direction, thus giving a regular intermittent feed to the bed. A great advantage of this class of machine is that the whole of the machine is supported from the central channel, and as the wheels are close together, the long lengths of shafts with their risk of twisting, retarding and wearing are dispensed with.

Messrs. Ham, Baker and Co., Ltd., have for some time supplied an automatic travelling distributor. This is illustrated in Fig. 104, from which it will be seen that it consists of a water-wheel mounted on rollers and divided into sections composed of a number of buckets. The sewage is delivered through a syphon and patent reversing valve, in such a way that alternate sections only of the filter bed receive sewage in each direction of travel, thereby insuring equal inter-delivery periods.

Power Driven Travelling Distributors.—The well-known Hanley Distributor was specially designed by Messrs. Wilcox and Raikes, Civil Engineers, for use on their schemes at Hanley, Fenton, Ilkeston and elsewhere, as illustrated, Fig. 105. The object of this distributor is to ensure intermittent discharge at regular intervals, and at a predetermined rate, in the form of a thin film over the surface of fine grade material, and in order to secure these results it was decided to drive the distributor by electric power rather than depend upon the variable and limited amount of power obtainable from the head of the sewage itself. The distributor consists of a pipe extending across the whole width of the bed and supported on wheels, so that it may be drawn backwards and forwards by means of the wire rope attached to the centre. The distributing pipe tapers towards the end farthest from the supply trough, and the sewage is discharged by means of nozzle pipes attached to the flat side of the distributor about 3 inches apart, and connected with it near the top so that the main pipe always remains full. The discharge of the sewage commences and stops along the whole length of the pipe almost simultaneously, and any sediment lies in the bottom of the main pipe where it cannot obstruct the outlets of the nozzles. The nozzles are about ⅝ inches in diameter, and provision is made for cleaning them by removing a plug in the top of each. In order to secure a uniform interval of time between each dose of sewage discharged on to any part of the filter, the distributors are arranged to discharge when travelling in one direction only, the valves on the outlets of the feed syphons being automatically turned off and on by means of a lever, which is actuated by stops fixed at each end of the iron trough or at any intermediate point desired. In this way it is possible to arrange for any portion of the filter to be thrown out of action when necessary for cleaning or repairs. The speed at which the distributor travels may be varied by adjusting the gear wheels attached to the electric motor. At Hanley it has been found that the best results are obtained when the distributors occupy about 7 minutes in making one complete journey, the filters being 200 feet long, so that when the filters are working at the normal rate of 1,000,000 gallons per acre per day, each dose represents one gallon per square yard. In other words, the film one-fifth of an inch in thickness is applied 200 times per day, and thus a total depth of 40 inches of sewage is distributed over every portion of the filters in operation in 24 hours. The power required to drive the distributors is about 1½ B.H.P. per acre of filter. Electric motors are usually adopted, but small oil or gas engines may be substituted when electric current is not available. The winding drums for the wire ropes are driven by belt gear of the usual type with fast and loose pulleys. The reversal of the drum when the distributor reaches either end of the filter is accomplished by an automatic belt striking gear, and a float in the supply trough is used to cut out a distributor, or continue in action at a reduced rate, when the supply of sewage becomes insufficient to maintain the normal rate of distribution. These distributors are manufactured by Messrs. Blakeborough and Sons, and have now been in regular use since 1902 on the Hanley Sewage Disposal Works, where the remarkably satisfactory results obtained are largely due to the highly efficient system of distribution on the filters.

Fixed Distributors. Trays and Troughs.—One of the best known of the fixed distributors is the “Stoddart,” as illustrated in Figs. 106 and 107. It will be seen that it consists of trays of galvanized sheet iron, formed into a number of V-shaped troughs. The ridges between the troughs are provided with diamond-shaped perforations at frequent intervals, and in the bottom of the troughs drip points are inserted through holes to project on the under side. The distributing trays are bolted to specially designed supply channels, connected to a common channel, and the whole of the troughs are mounted on adjustable chairs (F, Fig. 106) carried on tees, which are in turn supported on concrete or brick piers. As the liquid passes into the V-shaped troughs, it fills them and overflows through the diamond-shaped slots in the ridges and thence trickles down on the under side of each trough and drops off from the drip points on the filter below in the form of rain. It is claimed for this method of distribution that the whole of the available fall is utilised; that it adapts itself without adjustment to all rates of flow, however varied, that the sewage and storm-water may all be treated on the same area, and that there is a total absence of moving parts. This distributor is supplied by the patentee, Mr. F. W. Stoddart, of the Western Counties Laboratories, Bristol.

Another type of fixed distributor is fixed only so far as actual distributing channels are concerned. This is manufactured by Messrs. W. E. Farrer, Ltd., and illustrated in Fig. 108. The fixed troughs or channels are laid directly over the filter-bed, and fitted at the inlet end with concentrating chutes which receive the discharges from a double-acting tipping trough, which is supported at its extreme ends by heavy gun-metal bearings. If it is over 10 feet in length, an additional support is provided at the centre in the form of a specially designed rocker. The chutes and the channels are provided at the bottom with ¼-inch holes at 3-inch centres, through which the sewage is spread on to the surface of the filter, which is below the underside of the trough. The channels are arranged at 1-foot centres, so as to distribute the sewage over the whole area of the bed. By means of the double-acting tipper each half of the filter is dosed alternately, and suitable periods of aeration are thus provided. This apparatus is suitable for a single small house with 4 or 5 inmates, and for larger filters of 600 square feet in area and upwards.

The Ducat filter is provided with what may be termed a fixed distributor. It consists of a series of small tipping troughs fixed across the filter, each of which when full tips its contents on to the filter below. The liquid is thus discharged at the same point each time, but intermittently in small doses. As, however, the distributor does not move it is included under this heading.

A different type of fixed distributor is that manufactured by Messrs. J. Blakeborough and Sons. This apparatus, patented by Messrs. Haller and Machell, Civil Engineers, is used in the triple tank system of sewage treatment. Fig. 109 illustrates the “Aerat” type, which consists of cast-iron channels supported on wrought-iron joists carried upon piers. Each length has six orifices on each side, through which the sewage passes on to small trays provided with radiating grooves on the top and dripping points on the under side at the edge. As the distributors may be fixed within a few inches of the surface of the filter, very little head is required to operate them.

A very ingenious form of fixed distributor, Fig. 110, is supplied by the Septic Tank Company, Ltd. From its name, “Capillary Trough Distributor,” it will be observed that during normal and minimum rates of flow, capillary attraction is utilised to deliver the sewage on the filter in the form of drops. The tank effluent is delivered to each trough distributor over brass V-notches, set in the side of the main channel, into which the tanks discharge. These V-notches are adjustable, and are set so as to prevent their being tampered with subsequently. The trough distributors are of artificial stone, true from end to end, and set level. Over both their edges copper wires are fixed, at intervals of a few inches, each wire extending from within a short distance of the bottom of the trough channel over the edge and down to the underside of the trough. On a trough being filled the liquid overflows right along the edge, and is attracted by and runs down the wires, so that if the flow is at all excessive a little stream will run down each; on the flow subsiding to the ordinary, a drop-by-drop delivery commences; should the flow of sewage cease altogether for any length of time, the wires will go on dripping until they have drawn off the contents of the trough, almost to the end of the wires. On a fresh supply of sewage arriving at the installation, and the troughs refilling to a higher level, the rate of delivery from the wires will increase until it keeps pace with the flow, thus ensuring an even distribution on the filter throughout the day. There is no loss of head in connection with this apparatus beyond the depth of the distributing troughs themselves.

Spray Jets.—This type of distribution is not used in many installations in this country, but it has been adopted in large schemes in the U.S.A. There are a number of different types, including those in which the sewage is forced upwards through a nozzle and falls back on the surface of the filter, and others in which the sewage flows through inverted nozzles, and each jet impinges upon a fixed cup or disc of metal, or other material, and is thus spread out on to the filter. Among the former, one of the simplest types is that manufactured by Messrs. Adams Hydraulics, Ltd., Fig. 111, in which, by means of a square baffle plate, provided with suitable grooves, the spray is forced out in such a manner that it covers a square area of the filter. It is claimed for this that it covers the whole surface and no portion of the filter is wasted, as in the case of round jets which cover circular areas. The same firm also supply several other types of fixed sprays, as shown in the illustration.

Another type is manufactured by Messrs. Ham, Baker and Co. This is shown in Fig. 112, from which it will be seen that it can be adapted to any existing installation, and to standard spigot pipes. Each jet being in the form of a stop-valve, any individual spray may be put out of action when necessary.

Messrs. W. E. Farrer, Ltd., manufacture a type shown in Fig. 113. The special feature of this is a loose disc inside the nozzle, which oscillates as the sewage passes through, and so tends to clear away any flocculent matter which may accumulate in the orifice of the nozzle. The sewage itself is delivered from the nozzle in the form of a very fine film, and it is claimed that by this means any nuisance from smell is reduced to the minimum.

Messrs. Burn Brothers also manufacture a fixed spray, Fig. 114, called the Burn and Brown’s Patent “Whirl” Spray. The special feature of this is that it consists of an inverted conical spreader, provided with vanes revolving on a spindle. The sewage, as it leaves the nozzle, impinges upon the face of the cone, causing it to revolve rapidly and spread the sewage in the form of fine drops. Owing to the special construction of the serrated edges of the cone, the sewage is well distributed over the whole area covered by the spray.

The “Acme” type of fixed spray, manufactured by the Ames Crosta Sanitary Engineering Company, is shown in Fig. 115. The special feature of this spray is that it has a loose metallic cone, which is provided with a helical groove, inside the nozzle. This cone rotates as the sewage passes through the nozzle, and thus gives a maximum spray with a small head. These sprays have a free waterway, and the rotation of the cone tends to prevent the choking of the orifice.

A simple form of fixed spray consists of perforated pipes arranged at suitable intervals over the surface of a filter, and provided with dosing apparatus to give intermittent supply under pressure, and thus deliver the sewage in the form of jets from the perforations in the pipes. An improved form of this type of distribution is supplied by the Septic Tank Company. This is illustrated in Fig. 116, from which it will be seen that orifices in the top of the distributing pipes are fitted with nozzles, set at an angle of about 45 degrees to the vertical. The discharge from these nozzles, it is claimed, gives the maximum efficiency of distribution.

A self-cleansing spray jet has been brought out by the Carlton Engineering Co. From the illustration, Fig. 117, it will be seen that a plug B is fitted into the orifice and supported upon a spindle, which is attached at its lower end to a lever connected to an automatic tipper on the outside of the nozzle. The tipper is fed by the spray from the nozzle, and as it falls alternately on one side and on the other it raises and lowers the plug B in the orifice, which tends to prevent any clogging, and also varies the area of the orifice and the rate of discharge, as well as the area of the filter-surface covered by the spray.

A simple type of fixed spray is supplied by Messrs. George Kent, Ltd., and is shown in Fig. 118. In this case the liquid issuing from the nozzle impinges upon a curved surface or cone, by which it is deflected and spread out, leaving the surface at an angle of 45 degrees to the vertical. One of the advantages claimed for this type is that it has no small holes to become clogged.

A novel form of this type of apparatus is manufactured by Messrs. Daniel Adamson and Co. Above the orifice in the nozzle is suspended a revolving deflecting plate (Fig. 119). The vanes of this plate are shaped in such a way that, as it revolves, the jet impinges against a different angle every instant. None of the energy is wasted in churning or throttling, as the plate merely directs the water in such a way that no two drops ever fall twice on exactly the same spot. It is stated that the diameter of the wetted area of the filter surface is more than double the head.

There are a considerable number of other types of nozzles used for fixed sprays. Several of these are illustrated in Fig. 120, where A is the type in use at Salford; B, the type used at Birmingham; C, a nozzle with a double spreader in use at Waterbury, Conn., U.S.A.; D shows another type in use at Waterbury, with a single spreader, but this is so arranged that it can be adjusted to give a smaller or larger area of orifice. E shows the type adopted at Columbus, Ohio, U.S.A.

In connection with some elaborate studies of methods of distribution for percolating filters, which were carried out for the Sanitary Research Laboratory and Sewage Experiment Station of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, by Messrs. Winslow, Phelps, Storey and McRae, a special series of investigations were made into the value of what is referred to as the “gravity method of spraying.” This consists in supplying the sewage from troughs or pipes supported above the filter, and discharging it through orifices on the under side of the pipes or troughs in the form of solid jets, which are made to impinge upon concave discs fixed near to the surface of the filter. The effect of this impingement is to cause the liquid to splash upwards and outwards in the form of a fine spray, and, as a result of a long series of tests with various forms of discs and various heads, it was found that the best average results were obtained with a concave metal disc 3 inches in diameter having a curvature corresponding to a radius of 2 inches. With a total head of 4 feet and a head of 3 feet from disc to the pipe above, it gave the best results obtained with that total head. With a total head of 6 feet and a head of 4 feet from disc to supply pipe, it gave the best results obtained by any of the forms of this type of distribution that were tested.