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Drainage and Sewerage.—During the year 436 drains were
tested, 324 were opened, cleansed or repaired and there were 1,039
constructions and re-constructions, alterations and improvements
effected.
Only two cesspools remain in use in the Borough and under the
Borough Engineer's direction these are emptied on request.
One hundred and ninety-six plans of drainage and other sanitary works relating to existing and new buildings were examined
and approved.
Discharge of Trade Effluents into Sewers.—Under the provisions of the London County Council (General Powers Act), 1953,
the Borough Engineer's Department consulted with various public
bodies and carried out a site survey from which a list of 351
premises was compiled where trade effluents are discharged to the
public sewer. A further survey of premises increased the number
of premises likely to discharge trade effluents to a total of 392.
Of these, 65 connections are directly to sewers under the control
of the London County Council and will be dealt with by that
authority, under the provisions of the Act.
In connection with this matter the Borough Engineer has
kindly supplied the following information :—
Under the provisions of the London County Council (General
Powers) Act, 1953, inspections have been made and samples continued to be taken as follows :—
Premises discharging effluents to local sewers 327
Premises discharging effluents to L.C.C. sewers 65
Number of sewer connections inspected 100
Number of samples taken 96
Number of samples found to be unsatisfactory 23
The sampling was concentrated at premises where it was
anticipated, by previous years' inspections, that unsatisfactory
effluent could be expected to be found.
Unsatisfactory samples were obtained from the Gas Board's
premises and in conjunction with the London County Council a
series of tests were run, by observations made within the sewers.
The aim of the tests was to establish the acceptable standard of
the effluent to be discharged to the sewer from the Gas Board's
plant, with particular reference to atmospheric pollution within
the sewers. The tests were by no means conclusive and a further
study will have to be made.
Of the other unsatisfactory samples these contained oils, acids,
formaldehydes and an excess of suspended solids. The discharge