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SEWERAGE AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL
Sewerage and sewage disposal in the City of London are the responsibility of the City
Engineer who has supplied the following information:—
"The sewerage system in the City is comprised mainly of ovoid shaped brick sewers, the
average internal dimensions being 4 feet high x 2 feet 8 inches wide, this size being adopted
only to provide access for sewermen, as the normal dry weather flow depth of effluent is only
about 9 inches at an average velocity of 2 to 3 feet per second.
The Corporation sewers discharge into the Greater London Council intercepting sewers which
flow eastwards across the City at a much lower depth to their Beckton Sewage Treatment Works.
In my opinion, the system of sewerage in the City is adequate, with ample margin for diverting
flows from sewers during reconstruction and maintenance works."
SMOKE NUISANCES
City of London (Various Powers) Act, 1954.
Clean Air Act, 1956.
44 complaints were investigated by Public Health Inspectors during the year and nuisances
were found to emanate from the following sources:—
1. Oil fired furnaces 22
2. Solid fuel furnaces 7
3. Bonfires 10
The main cause of nuisance in 1 and 2 was inadequate maintenance of equipment and the
required improvement was effected informally in all cases. Bonfire nuisances arose from the
burning of debris on demolition sites and were dealt with informally under Section 16 of the Clean
Air Act, 1956.
The reduction in the number of complaints is significant and affords an encouraging recognition
of the attempts which have been made within the City to reach the goal of a smokeless
atmosphere.
NOISE CONTROL
Seventy four complaints of noise were received during the year. The subject fell firmly into
the pattern of previous years, involving demolition, building operations and machinery in general,
with the unique addition of one complaint of noise from low flying aircraft. Observations, investigations
and assessment of noise levels required visits over long periods and, as the occasion
necessitated, calls were made during both normal working hours and later, even extending into the
"early hours."
Within the City a great deal of noise originates from building operations which have to meet
a tight time schedule. The latter in some instances inevitably means working out of normal hours.
Much thought and attention is therefore given to the best practicable means of reducing noise to
an acceptable level, "acceptable" in this sense being one that is practicable from the point of
view of industry and reasonable to the neighbourhood. The building industry has been co-operative
in trying and accepting methods which have been suggested to them by my staff.
In the context of the practical approach to noise control, 1967 was notable for the issuing
of Circular 22/67 by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, dated 18th April, 1967, on
the subject of noise. The circular outlines procedures designed to further implement the recommendations
of the final report of the Committee on the problem of noise submitted in Parliament
in July 1963 (The Wilson Report Cmnd 2056).
Briefly, in the Circular the Minister asks for a determined attack on noise. Among the matters
raised are the speed of legal proceedings, Town and Country Planning, aircraft noise, insulation
and the education of the public about unnecessary noise and inconsiderate behaviour. Furthermore
the Minister anticipates that in April 1969 he will call for a report on progress and any difficulties
encountered in noise control, which should ultimately yield useful information. The technical instruction
of staff engaged in noise control is recommended.
During 1967 three Public Health Inspectors attended an approved course at Tottenham Technical
College. This will be extended to others during 1968.
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