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79
Public Health Department,
333, Kennington Road, S.E.
190
Re Drains at
No result has been obtained from the chemical test
applied to the above drains.
The Vestry wish to emphasise the fact (well known
to all practical sanitarians) that, when no result is
obtainable from the smoke or chemical test, the drains
are not necessarily perfect. Practical experience
shows that such a test may fail to give any result, even
though the drains tested are known to be defective.
The water test is the only trustworthy one, but it is
somewhat severe, more especially for old drainages;
and on that account is not used indiscriminately, except
in the case of new drains.
The Vestry will be prepared to apply such water
test to the above drains on receiving the written consent
of the Owner.
(By Order) Vestry of Lambeth
This method was adopted on account of complaints
received that drains, which gave no results on the testing
with the chemical (or smell) test, were afterwards, at times,
found to be defective, and it was felt that such a condition
of things should not be allowed without warning being first
given to the parties concerned—the water test being too
severe to apply without the written consent of the owner
in the case of old buildings. The best (at present known)
available ordinary test is employed for the iesting of old
drains in Lambeth, and the water test is only applied to
such at the owners' risk and with their consents. In the