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185
Public Health.
There are certain works which, while not specifically provided for in the scheme, are so closely
connected therewith as practically to form part of it, and although their cost was not included when the
rough estimate of £3,772,550 was prepared, it is anticipated that their inclusion in the scheme will not
cause this estimate to be exceeded. The preliminary arrangements in connection with two of these
works were put in hand during the year. They are (i.) the enlargement of the Crossness pumping station,
roughly estimated to cost £120,000 ; and (2) the extension of the southern high-level sewer No. 2 from
Catford to Nunhead at an estimated cost of £105,000.
Storm relief.
There is no separate system of sewers in London for dealing with the surface water apart from
the sewage, but large storm-water sewers have been constructed to relieve the main and intercepting
sewers in times of heavy rainfall, and at various points on both banks of the Thames there are storm
overflows which can be utilised at certain states of the tide. Pumping stations have also been erected
for the sole purpose of pumping storm water into the river and, in addition, arrangements are made
for discharging storm water by means of auxiliary engines at the Western and North Woolwich sewage
pumping stations. The disposal of storm water is a matter to which the Council has always given most
careful consideration, and on 16th February, 1904, the Council decided that the time had arrived when
large additional flood-relief works should be undertaken. The undermentioned works are included
in the scheme, and the estimated expenditure involved is £795,000.
North of the Thames.
Storm-relief sewer from Holloway-road to the Thames.
Storm-relief sewer along Stroud-green-road and Tollington-park (Stroud Green and
Hornsey relief sewer).
Extension of the Hackney-wick to Abbey-mills relief sewer.
New sewer from the middle-level sewer No. 1 to the Counter's-creek sewer (North
Kensington relief sewer.)
South of the Thames.
New pumping stations, and sewers in connection therewith, in or near Wandsworth and
Southwark. (Falcon Brook pumping station in connection with the Wandsworth and Battersea
relief sewer, and the Shad Thames pumping station in connection with the Bermondsey and
Southwark relief sewer).
Certain other works, not specially mentioned were also provided for in the estimate. All the
works specifically referred to above, have been completed with the exception of the sewer from Hollowayroad
to the Thames. It was originally proposed that the outlet of this sewer should be at the Tower
of London, but it has since been thought that it would be more advantageous if the outlet were situated
further eastward at Shadwell, and preliminary work in connection with the making of borings and preparations
of plans of the new route was undertaken during the year.
Cost of new
works.
The payments on capital account up to 51st March, 1910, in connection with main drainage
extension works and flood relief works amounted to £3,003,382 9s. 5d.
Illegal
discharges
into sewers.
Section 9 of the London County Council (General rowers) Act, 1894, prohibits the discharge
into any sewer of the Council, or any sewer or drain communicating therewith, of any chemical or manufacturing
or trade or other liquid refuse, or any waste steam, condensing water, heated water, or other
liquid of a temperature exceeding 110 deg. F., which either alone, or in combination with other matters
or liquid in a sewer, may cause a nuisance, or involve danger or risk of injury to the health of persons
entering the sewers, or be injurious to the structure or materials of the sewers or works of the Council
It was not found necessary during the year to institute legal proceedings in any case in respect of the
contravention of this Act.
Unless great care be exercised at places where petrol or similar liquids are used, there is a
possibility of matter of a dangerous nature finding its way into drains and sewers, and it was thought
desirable to issue a warning as to the danger of allowing this to happen, and the liability attaching
thereto. Copies of an Order made by the Council on 20th December, 1898, under section 10 of the Act
above referred to, prohibiting the discharge of dangerous substances into sewers, were therefore served
during the year upon a number of persons licensed under the Petroleum Acts, and carrying on businesses
such as might produce residues which would be dangerous if discharged into sewers.
Building over
sewers.
By Sections 204 and 68 of the Metropolis Management Acts of 1855 and 1862 respectively, the
erection in, on, over, or under any sewer of a building, wall, bridge, fence, etc., without the previous
consent of the Council is prohibited. During the year 20 licences to build over sewers were granted,
and one licence was refused.
Repairs etc.
The principal works of repair, etc., undertaken during the year, and the expenditure sanctioned
therefor in each case were as follows :—
Barking Outfall.—Alteration to effluent discharging channel and provision of sewage
recording gauges, £2,000 ; repair of gas-mains, etc., £650; painting sludge tanks, £500.
Crossness Outfall.—Repair of entablature in engine house, £610.
Sewers repaired.—Upper Grange-road, £1,800 ; Kanelagli, £1,250 ; Southwark-bridgeroad,
£1,075; Fleet (Argyle-street branch), Limekiln dock, Ratcliff Highway, Regent-street, and
Victoria-street, £1,000 each ; Ranelagh relief, £500.
Sludge vessels.—£1,993 15s.
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