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The capacity of watercloset flushing cisterns has been a subject of consideration
not only in St. Pancras but throughout the metropolis.
Clause 21 of the Regulations made under the Metropolis Water Act, 1871,
runs—
" Every watercloset-cistern or watercloset service box hereafter fitted or fixed
in which water supplied by the Company is to be used shall have an efficient
waste-preventing apparatus, so constructed as not to be capable of discharging
more than two gallons of water at each flush."
The Regulation provides only for a maximum. The experience of London
Sanitary Authorities and the experiments of the Sanitary Institute justify the
conclusion that this maximum is not even a sufficient minimum.
Your Yestry passed a resolution that the Regulation be amended to read,
" so constructed as to be capable of discharging not less than three gallons nor
more than three and a half gallons at each flush."
It appears that there would be little difficulty in altering the maximum flush
from two gallons to two gallons and a half, if the water companies did not
oppose it. But us the Regulations are not made for sanitary purposes but in
order to prevent waste of water, it also appears that there is some hesitation in
inserting a minimum flush even if the water companies would agree to this
course.
It has been proposed to overcome this objection by a bye-law fixing the
minimum flush, the bye-law to be inserted either in the County Council's byelaws,
"with respect to water closets, etc.," or better still, in the Vestry's byelaws,
"with respect to the keeping of waterclosets supplied with sufficient
water for their effective action."
I would recommend your Vestry to so amend the bye:law as soon as it is
opportune. In the meanwhile, nothing can be done so long as the way is
blocked by the present maximum limit of two gallons in Regulation 21.
DRAINAGE AND SEWERAGE.
Combined drainage. — As this is a question of some difficulty it is desirable to
set out the sections of the Acts bearing upon the subject. In order to make
the matter clear it is also desirable to quote the definition of "a drain" and of
"a sewer." The rulings under the Public Health Act, 1875, are often quoted
to support the action of owners in the metropolis, but this Act does not apply
to London, and as will be seen the law in the metropolis materially differs from
that prevailing in the provinces.
Public Health Act, 1875.
Section 4.—
"Drain" means any drain of and used for the drainage of one building only,
or premises within the same curtilage, and made merely for the purpose of
communicating therefrom with a cesspool or other like receptacle for drainage, or
with a sewer into which the drainage of two or more buildings or premises occupied
by different persons is conveyed.