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51
By way of explanation it may be said that when the concentration
of dissolved oxygen in the river falls to zero, the sulphate
which is found in tidal waters is reduced by bacterial action and
hydrogen sulphide is formed. In this respect, the Director of the
Water Pollution Research Laboratory at Stevenage has asserted
that during dry weather many miles of the Thames Estuary contains
no oxygen and in this region hydrogen sulphide is evolved, giving
rise to complaints both because of its smell and because of the
corrosion it causes.
The Pippard Committee set up by the Ministry of Housing
and Local Government in 1951 to investigate river pollution, issued
its report entitled "Pollution of the Tidal Thames" towards the end
of 1961. At the time of its appointment the Committee found
that data necessary for it to reach any conclusions was so seriously
deficient that the necessary scientific research had first to be instituted
This research was carried out by the Department of Scientific
and Industrial Research under the supervision of the Thames
Survey Committee of the Water Pollution Research Board.
Regular survey of the river revealed that its condition has
gradually deteriorated and the Report, inter alia, makes particular
reference to effluents from the London County Council s outfall
works, polluting loads, storm water, effect of tributaries, synthetic
detergents, heated discharges, etc. The Report concludes with an
evaluation of the measures already adopted and recommends
further action which could be taken to reduce pollution.
One most important point has emerged from this admirable
Report—it is that the condition of the river is inherently predictable
and that a positive method of control can be devised.
A statement by the London County Council's Rivers and
Drainage Committee that there had been a considerable improvement
in the sewage effluent discharged into the river from the
Northern outfall since the new primary sedimentation tanks were
brought into operation in 1955 and since the introduction in 1960
of the new aeration plant is strengthened by the Pippard Report
which points out that there was a substantial reduction in pollution
after these new services had been put into operation.
The fact that no complaints were received during the current
year regarding smells emanating from the river supports the contention
made by the London County Council that there has been
a great improvement in the sewage effluent discharged into the river.
Storm Flooding.—There were no instances of damage to
property due to unusually heavy rainfall recorded during the
current year.