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41
Greenwich Public Baths and appreciation was expressed by the
persons availing themselves of this service. In two cases of exceptional
circumstances permission was given for the washing to be
carried out by a Laundry, the cost being borne by the Mayor's
Flood Relief Fund. Three mattresses were loaned to persons in
need, while the offer of a double bedstead, spring and mattress was
accepted and the articles given to a local victim.
Emergency repairs were carried out to doors and windows and
all premises and debris contaminated by mud from the Thames
were immediately sprayed with a germicide, the spraying being
repeated every other day. Later floorboards were lifted and sites
were sprinkled with hydrated lime as often as proved necessary.
Further treatment was given by the means of an R.A.F. Ground
Heater which was obtained from the Minister of Housing and Local
Government who, at that time, had been given temporary command
of such apparatus. The Ground Heater consisted of a container
heated by petrol pressure burners over which air was drawn by
induction fans. When heated to approximately 400°F. the air was
then pumped through large asbestos ducts into the rooms and basements
of premises and each affected house was treated for a half
day or more according to necessity.
Finally arrangements were made for the rubble and debris to
be cleared from the gardens.
River Pollution.—From time to time over the past few years
and in common with other Riparian Authorities, complaints have
been received in connection with offensive smells emanating from the
River.
It has been confirmed that by far the greatest cause of this
nuisance arises from the continual movement, up and down stream
with the tides, of a permanent concentration of inadequately
treated sewage effluents discharged at the Northern and Southern
Outfalls situated at Beckton and Crossness respectively.
In the 1952 Report a detailed list was given of the fairly extensive
work contemplated by the London County Council which, in
their opinion, would enable the sewage at both outfalls to receive
efficient sedimentation and for two-thirds of the effluents to be
further purified by the activated sludge process in order to render
the River inoffensive from this source of pollution.
Before the new scheme for diffused air and sludge digestion
plant could be commenced it was necessary for 16 new sedimentation
tanks to be completed, but owing to the steel shortage work on these