All privies, privy vaults and cesspools allowed to be used, pending connection with the sanitary sewerage system, shall be so constructed that no offensive or injurious odor or gas can escape, either directly or through the fixtures connecting thereto. Every abandoned cesspool shall be emptied, cleaned, disinfected and permanently filled with clean fresh earth; provided, that clean ashes or other approved material may be used with the permission of the city engineer. (Code 1953, § 16.1)