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9
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
On the evening of 21st July, 1964, at 5.30 p.m. there was a severe
rain storm and following notifications of flooding in Kensington an
immediate survey of the area was made.
The North Kensington branch library and the Lancaster Road
conveniences were flooded and a number of basements in the area of
Camelford Road, Talbot Grove, St. Marks Road, Cornwall Crescent, Blenheim
Crescent, Lancaster Road and Elgin Crescent. A gully machine was brought
into operation but, apart from the Lancaster Road conveniences, it was found
that the water had generally subsided.
On 22nd July, 1964, two barrier loader teams commenced calling at
each of the houses reported as being affected and issued a notice from the
Public Health Department, together with disinfectant. Rugs, carpets and
other soft furnishing, after labelling, were taken away to the public baths
for drying.
By the end of the day, calls had been made on all known cases of
flooding, but during the next two days other messages were received from
occupiers of premises where items needed to be dried or articles of
furniture disposed of and these were dealt with as soon as they were
received.
On 24th July, 1964 it was possible to start returning small items
that had been dried and a special gang was employed throughout Saturday,
25th July, in returning the large items of carpets and mattresses and the
work concluded.
In all, calls were made at about 200 premises and 221 items were
taken away for drying and 285 articles taken away for disposal.
The Council placed on record their appreciation of the work
carried out by the staff in this matter.
The records from 1928 show that, under certain heavy storm
conditions, about 1,100 basements have been at different times subject to
flooding in Kensington. It is to eliminate this surcharge in North
Kensington that relief sewers are now being provided by both this Council
and the London County Council. No relief sewer of this nature has so far
been proposed for South Kensington.
WATER SUPPLY
The water supply in Kensington is almost entirely provided by
the Metropolitan Water Board, but there are two premises which obtain
water from artesian and deep wells. Samples of water were taken both by
the Council and the owners for bacteriological and chemical examination.
Results showed that the waters were suitable for drinking and other
domestic purposes.
Fluoridation of Water Supplies
The Minister of Health announced in the House of Commons that
he would approve local authority schemes to add fluoride to the water