London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Orpington 1949
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Orpington]
This page requires JavaScript
i2
Cesspools.
At the year's end there were 2,539 houses drained to 2,123
cesspools; 215 houses had pail closets. This continues to be the
most serious Public Health problem in the district, and until the
whole area is properly sewered, which is an expensive matter
involving large capital expenditure, and all houses with cesspools
connected to main drainage, the sanitary state for the district
cannot be considered at all satisfactory.
During the year only 51 cesspools were connected, and at this
rate of progress it will take years to abolish cesspools, even
where there are existing sewers available. In spite of the magnitude
of this problem, 23 new houses were erected with cesspool
drainage.
During October the Council approved the undertaking of a
survey of cesspools, and this work is now proceeding. At the
time of writing it has been found that in the case of no less than
60 per cent, of cesspools inspected, no attempt had been made to
have them emptied. There is, thus, presumptive evidence that
the cesspools are leaking into the subsoil. Those that are emptied
under the assisted scheme are so infrequently dealt with that
percolation must be suspected.
The following is an analysis of the cesspools in the area
| Cesspools abolished and connections made to sewer | 51 | |
| Number of cesspools at end of year | 2,123 | |
| Number of cesspools where sewer is available | 532 | |
| Number where sewer is not at present available | 1,591 | |
| Of these, | 2,123 | |
| Cesspools on line of projected new sewers | 357 | |
| Cesspools in unsewered private streets | 480 | |
Rivers and Streams.
Supervision has been kept over the two streams, Cray and
Kidbrook. No complaints were received which required Committee
action. The supervision of these streams now rests with
the Kent River Board.
Swimming Baths.
The public are admitted to one swimming bath in the district,
and samples taken from time to time were satisfactory.
Factories and Workshops.
There are 168 factories, mainly situated in the Cray Valley.
The one notice issued by the Local Authority was complied with.
Noxious fumes are issued from one factory in the Cray Valley
which comes under the classification of alkali works and which
was subject to close investigation, with some little improvement,
although not remedied.