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the ventilation of sewers. The expression of opinion by so many experts being
valuable it is desirable to place it upon permanent record.
London County Council.
Ventilation of Sewers.
Report by Engineer as to the result of a conference of engineers and surveyors of
the several vestries and district boards of the metropolis.
To the Main Drainage Committee.
In accordance with the instructions of the Committee, I issued two circular
letters to the engineers and surveyors of the various vestries and district boards in
the county, inviting them to a conference on the subject of the ventilation of
sewers, with a view to some uniform system being adopted, if possible, for dealing
with complaints of offensive emanations from gratings connected with both local
and main sewers.
In response to the invitation a meeting was held at the County Hall on
Friday, 25th February, at which upwards of 40 of the gentlemen invited were
present. A list of these who signed the attendance book, together with the
names of the districts represented by them, is appended hereto.
The discussion on the subject of the ventilation of sewers occupied a period of
over two hours, and resulted in the following resolutions being passed, namely—
1. That the closing of sewer ventilators in response to complaints increases
the general evil, the diminution of which is to be attained by the
multiplication of the ventilators at regular frequent intervals.
2. That in connection with any interceptor hereafter fixed on a main house
drain it is advisable to carry up a ventilating pipe from the sewer side
of the interceptor, up the front, side, or back of the house, to the satisfaction
of the local sanitary autherity, and that the outlet drain from
the interceptor shall not be flat-trapped in sewer, unless required by
the local sanitary autherity.
3. That pipe ventilators up buildings, or otherwise where possible, should
always be adopted, in addition to surface ventilation.
It will be observed that the general result of the conference has confirmed the
action of the Committee and the Council in recent years, and that the remedy for
6ewer emanations is to be looked for from the maintenance of more frequent ventilating
openings, both at the street level and by means of pipes carried up houses
and other buildings.
I would suggest that, as the meeting was a very representative one, this
report be printed, and that copies be sent to each member of the Council and to the
engineers and surveyors of the district boards and vestries in the metropolis.
Alex. R. Binnie.
-Spring Gardens, S.W.,
24th March, 1898.