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113
Report read at a meeting of the Council on 22nd July, 1903—
FLOODING OF DISTRICT BY SEWAGE.
I have again to report to the Council the grave flooding of basements
and subsoil of the Borough by sewage during the storm of last Saturday
morning (July 18th). The houses most affected were in Munton Road,
Walworth Road, Dante Road, Rodney Place, London Road, St. George's
Road, Skipton Street, Manor Place, Camberwell Road and Southwark
Street, the "Dover Castle " and "Elephant and Castle " Taverns.
In some of the basements the sewage was two feet deep, and during
the storm there was a six foot head of sewage in the drains which is equal
to a pressure of 3 lbs. per square inch on the lowest part of the drain.
This flooding of basements and subsoil of the district is now of
frequent occurrence, a serious one having taken place in many streets only
two months ago.
I hope that the Council fully realizes what this extensive flooding
means in relation to the general health. It means apart from grave discomfort,
distinct increase of Diphtheria and Consumption as well as general
ill-health of the inhabitants of the Borough. The sickening smell that
arises in connection with this flooding is very great.
The first serious flooding I remember was in 1884 in Rockingham
Street, so that it is a matter of long standing.
Its almost yearly occurrence since then has been the subject of many
reports that I have made to the Council until I am almost tired of referring
to it.
The London County Council has informed me that it has a scheme to
remedy this flooding, which, owing to its gravity, ought not to be delayed
on the grounds of expense.
It has been said that basements ought not to have been allowed to be
built, but those who use this argument forget that apart from the basements
the whole of the subsoil of the Borough where drains are unsound,
as they must be at times, is liable to be contaminated with sewage. This
flooding is the greatest danger I know of to the health of the Borough.
(Signed), G. B. MILLSON,
Medical Officer of Health.
'22nd July, 1903.