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46
works, while the other conveys storm water into the
London sewers. These sewers are regularly flushed
and inspected from time to time.
New sewers were laid during the year as follows:—
North of the
High Street.
South of the
High Street.
Total.
Soil sewers for conveying soil 2,283 yards 1,115 yards 3,398 yards
For conveying surface water 2,255 yards 1,115 yards 3,370 yards
Sewage Disposal.
The soil drainage of about 18,000 persons in the
District of Acton is conveyed into the London system,
and a payment is made to the London County Council
in regard to such drainage. The soil sewage from the
remainder of the District is conveyed by sewers to the
sewage works belonging to the Council in Acton Vale.
The larger portion of it is conveyed by the low-level
sewers, and this has to be pumped and raised to the
surface. The high-level sewer delivers its contents by
gravitation. The sewage is passed into open septic
tanks, which are covered with a thick, firm crust—so firm
that workmen walk across it and work on it with
impunity. The effluent from the septic tanks is distributed
over continuous filters of large broken clinker,
and the effluent is conveyed by a sewer to the river. In
consequence of complaints being made in regard to
sulphuretted hydrogen, which was given off during the
process of filtration, the effluent from the septic tanks is
treated with permanganate of potash, and a small quantity
of permanganate is also added to the effluent from the
filters.
The Acton Council is at present promoting a Bill in
Parliament in order to ensure that the soil drainage of
the whole of the District shall be conveyed into the
London sewers, while the storm water of the District is
to be conveyed direct to the River Thames.