what is "waste-tap"?

[imchongjun]

Hi.
I am curious to know what "waste-tap" means in the following passage.

Idly he turned the cold-tap of the bath, and the water began to rush in. He turned off the cold-tap and turned on the waste-tap, and as he did so his knee, which was pressing against the panelling, slipped forward....Racksole tried to repeat the trick with the waste-tap, but he failed; it would not work again, nor could he in any way perceive that there was any connection between the rod of the waste-tap and the hasp of the panel.
(Grand Babylon Hotel by Arnold Bennett)

Is "waste-tap" a device which can operate the opening and closing of the drain outlet inside the bath? Strangely I cannot find this word in any dictionaries I have. I appreciate any comments. Thank you.

 

[BobK]

I think your guess must be right. I've never met such a bath.

b

 

[5jj]

Here in the Czech Republic we often have a plunger next to (or between) the hot and cold taps. Pulling it lowers the plug when we want water to stay in the sink/basin/bath; pressing on it raises the plug to let the water run away. Perhaps this might be called a 'waste-tap'. I have never come across the term, but it seems to fit.

 

[imchongjun]

Thank you very much for your helpful comments, BobK and 5jj!

 

[BobK]

Here in the Czech Republic we often have a plunger next to (or between) the hot and cold taps. Pulling it lowers the plug when we want water to stay in the sink/basin/bath; pressing on it raises the plug to let the water run away. Perhaps this might be called a 'waste-tap'. I have never come across the term, but it seems to fit.

I've seen those here too, though I wouldn't call it a 'tap'. Maybe Arnold Bennett would. ;-)

b

PS: Just thought - there is something called a 'waste tRap' - commonly known, in its simplest form as a 'U-bend'... No, it can't be that (you don't turn one on) - as you were

 

[5jj]

I've seen those here too, though I wouldn't call it a 'tap'. Maybe Arnold Bennett would. ;-)

b

It has just occurred to me that that some old-style bath tubs
might actually have had a tap to let the water out conveniently.

 

[BobK]

:up: Sounds possible.

b

 

[Tdol]

This site uses the term tap wastes:
Tap Waste - Push Button Wastes, Basin and Bath Wastes, Low Prices