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51
The sub-soil water gravitated from the higher ground towards the
gardens at the rear of the houses and considerable flooding occurred.
The Company voluntarily, on intimation of the flooding, constructed
a 6" drain at suitable depths to collect the sub-soil water and connected
this drain with the rain water sewer. This method proved
most successful and no flooding in this area has occurred since.
Another area South of this part is now being developed by
another Estate Company and new roads are in course of construction.
The whole of this area has a clay sub-soil strata, there being
only 18" or so of loam on top. Most of the area being agricultural
land was drained by land drains to ditches leading to the streams
known as the Kid and the Lower Kid and thence to the River
Quaggy and finally to the River Thames.
During these building operations many of the ditches have
been culverted but it is possible that some were filled in, with the
result that after excessive rain many of the gardens may be flooded
and possibly also the houses. This actually occurred in the early
part of the year and several complaints were received. Streets of
houses have been built cutting across the natural fall of the land
and no effort has been made to secure adequate drainage of the
sub-soil water. Attention has been drawn in previous Reports to
this state of affairs, and it would appear that the existing law
relating to the drainage of houses should be amended so as to
include drainage of the sub-soil where in the opinion of the sanitary
authority such is necessary.
The experience in this Borough is that springs, ditches, etc.
should not be interfered with unless some system of collecting the
sub-soil water is enforced.
Exhumations.—Notice was received from the Home Office of
two exhumations at the Council's Cemeteries. In both instances
the Sanitary Inspector for the district was present to see that the
usual precautions were duly carried out.
River Pollution.—During the early Summer attention was
drawn to children bathing off the foreshore of the Thames and the
possibility of infection caused thereby. In this connection several
samples of river water were submitted to the Council's bacteriologist
and in all cases were found to be heavily contaminated by sewage
organisms. In this connection it is hoped that representations will
be made in the near future to other Boroughs concerned in this
question with a view to concerted action being taken.
Offensive Trades.—As a result of a complaint it was found
that premises were used for the manufacture of animal charcoal,
this being an offensive trade scheduled by the London County
Council. At the end of the year the Council had under consideration
an application from the firm concerned for sanction to carry
on this trade.