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89
My report was confined to the result of investigations made
by the Staff of the Department as to sickness immediately
following the flooding on the 6th September, and was not
intended in any way to deal with the causes of the frequent
floodings in the Parish and surrounding districts, nor the
remedial measures which should be adopted to avert them in
future, as these have oeen so frequently the subject of report
by the Surveyor; it must, however, be obvious to all, that the
past, present, and future conversion of open ground, where rainwater
can soak away naturally, into houses with roofs and yards
draining into sewers, calls for greatly increased means for the
carrying away of this additional water.
The Engineer to the London County Council has submitted
a report to the Main Drainage Committee, in which he
recommends the expenditure of nearly £3,000,000 in additional
sewers and pumping machinery. In November last Mr. Pilditch
submitted a special report to the Health Committee as to the
probable effect of the scheme.
WATER SUPPLY.
In previous reports I have dealt extensively with this
very important question. I propose therefore to deal very
briefly with the subject here.
The Royal Commission which sat during 1892 and 1893
found that the water as supplied to the consumer in London was
suitable in quality for all household purposes, and that the
Thames and Lea Valleys might be made to supply more than
double the then present population of the Metropolis with 35
gallons per head daily.
In 1897 the Government appointed a Royal Commission
to consider the whole subject of the Metropolitan Water Supply,
including a reference to inquire and report as to the desirable
management of Water Companies.