View report page

200
tively, the resultant sewage effluent is discharged into the Thames.
It is then considered by various authorities to be a pollutant which,
on occasions, gives rise to complaints.
During 1969, there was a reduction in rainfall of some 31%
from the previous year which led to somewhat unstable operating
conditions at Crossness during the dry autumn spell. Pollution
loads rose correspondingly and there was a temporary deterioration
in the condition of the water in the Greenwich and Woolwich
reaches. Improved standards of treatment at Crossness eventually
produced a lower pollution load than previously achieved.
No complaints regarding pollution were made to this department
during the current year.
Storm Flooding
In contrast with 1968, no storm flooding occurred during the
current year and consequently, in this respect, no requests for
assistance were received.
ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION
An Alkali Act passed in 1863 proclaimed this country to be
first in the field with legislation to promote a cleaner atmosphere.
Periodically, over the years, other measures have been introduced
culminating in the world's first Clean Air Act—that of 1956—
which has since been strengthened by the Act of 1968. Our ultimate
aim should be to obtain an atmosphere free of toxic
compounds as well as carbon particles.
Smoke emission throughout the country has been reduced from
2.71 million tons in 1931 to 0.87 million tons in 1967 and, although
not so spectacular, the decrease in sulphur dioxide over the same
period is substantial. Despite these improvements, however, some
70% of all atmospheric smoke continues to be produced from
domestic sources and a growing menace is the pollution arising
from the operation of motor and air transport. Dust and grit from
industrial processes constitute further hazards.
So far, our Clean Air Acts seek only to control the emission of
dark smoke, grit and dust and contain no provisions against the
discharge of oxides of sulphur. Nevertheless, control of atmospheric
pollution in London has proceeded at a relatively more
rapid rate than in England and Wales as a whole and, by the end
of 1968, over 60% of all premises in Greater London and over
50% of its total acreage were covered by smoke control orders.
Figures for Greenwich at the end of 1969 were 72.3% and 74.2%
respectively and when the areas recently designated by the Council
and outlined in this Section are confirmed by the Minister, the
whole of the Borough will then be smoke controlled.