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A provisional analysis of the surveys revealed 4 cases of
active tuberculosis, 2 cases where it is necessary to keep the
patient under observation, and 2 cases of lung cancer.
THE GENERAL DRAINAGE AND SEWER SYSTEM
The drainage system in the Metropolitan Boroughs is a
combined one whereby surface water and foul water both enter the
same sewers. In most cases houses are connected direct to borough
council sewers and these, in turn, discharge into the London County
Council main sewers. In a few cases, where local sewers do not
exist, house connections are taken direct into the main sewers.
Flooding of Basements
On the afternoon of Sunday, 7th August, 1960, a severe
rain storm occurred in London and south east England.
The Counties of London, Surrey and Middlesex were par—
ticularly involved, especially the Boroughs of Tottenham, Willesden,
Chiswick and Acton, and the Metropolitan Boroughs of Battersea,
Hammersmith, Fulham, Westminster, Chelsea and Kensington. In these
areas, basements were flooded, roads blocked by water, underground
railway and trolleybus services disrupted, and telephone services put
out of action.
The Meteorological Office recorded 1.36 inches of rain at
Kensington Palace and most of this fell between 2.30 and 4.00 p.m.
Kensington basements were particularly affected; the flooding being
more severe and widespread than in previous flooding incidents.
The four Fire Stations serving the Kensington area dealt with
578 flood distress calls as compared with 827 for the whole of the
London County Council area for the period 7th - 8th August.
The abnormal rainfall resulted in a surcharging of sewers
and drains, which were inadequate to cope with the volume of fluid,
with the result that sewage under pressure "backed up" gullies,
interceptors and traps, forced off manhole covers and. flooded
"areas", basement rooms, cellars and passages frequently to a depth
of 2'6" and, in some cases, as high as 5 feet. In consequence
floor coverings, furniture, furnishings and bedding were wholly or
partly submerged in foul smelling sewage. A complicating factor
was the presence of large amounts of rubbish and junk which, in the
absence of free collection and disposal, tenants had stored in dis—
used basement rooms. When the sewage receded or was removed it
left behind foul smelling filthy residue which contained all the
bowel germs usually found in sewage, potentially capable of conveying