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whether this was due to the insufficiency of the parish sewers
or of the main outfall. It appears that 5-in. of rainfall over
South London, occurring in 24 hours, causes the outfall to be
surcharged. This amount of rainfall occurred 11 times between
April 1st and September 30th.
It is also true, I believe, that the Reidhaven Road Sewer is
frequently unable to empty itself on account of the surcharging
of the outfall. But whether the same cause occasioned the
flooding in Benares Road, or whether this was due to the
insufficient size and fall in the Benares Road Sewer itself, is
still a matter of question.
Flooding also occurred at several houses in Reidhaven Road
on one occasion when the Reidhaven Road Sewer was greatly
surcharged.
It seems that the southern outfall does not satisfactorily
provide for the drainage of the lower parts of Plumstead, and
the health of its inhabitants must suffer in consequence.
Flooding also occurred in some houses drained by a long
combined drain into Crescent Road Sewer, which last year I
reported as insufficient. Some steps are being taken to
remedy this.
63. The Level Ditches.—I inspected the level ditches, and
as in 1897 found them in an unsatisfactory state. The ditch
along the Arsenal wall has been kept clean, and the Arsenal
authoiities have, I believe, satisfactorily performed their usual
flushing. But several other ditches, notably one running
through the allotments, and another at Abbey Wood, have
been in a very filthy state. On my suggestion a Special Subcommittee
was appointed to inspect and report on the ditches.
It recommended that a new penstock should be constructed to
facilitate flushing, and that the two above mentioned ditches