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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 Report, entitled Pollution of the Tidal Thames
and issued towards the end of 1961, contained much useful and
enlightening information on the subject of river pollution. It
revealed that the condition of the River Thames had gradually
deteriorated and the Report made particular reference to effluents
from the London County Council's outfall works, polluting loads,
storm water, effect of tributaries, synthetic detergents, heated
discharges, etc., and concluded with an evaluation of the
measures already adopted and recommended what further action
could be taken to reduce pollution.
Having long been aware of the shortcomings of its sewage
disposal system laid down in the 1860's and which has been
unable to keep pace with modern demands, the London County
Council took steps in September 1950 to improve the situation
and new works in connection with improvements were put into
effect. These improvements are expected to be completed early
in 1964 at a total cost of about £10 million.
This very informative Report points out that since the introduction of these new services there has been a substantial reduction in pollution and the fact that no complaints were received
during the current year regarding smells from the river supports
the London County Council's contention 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.
River Ravensbourne—Improvement and Jurisdiction.—
Although no complaints of flooding were received during the
year under review, nevertheless, for over a century now at times
of heavy rainfall the Ravensbourne has overflowed its banks to
inundate the proximal areas, some as many as five times a year.
The catchment area of the Ravensbourne, amounting to
about 70 square miles, is centred around the South East of