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21
DRAINAGE.
The outstanding feature is the urgent need for main
drainage in the Parish of West Wickham. The present state
of affairs is extremely bad, and is a constant source of anxiety
to the public Health Department. The only solution is the
construction of the necessary sewers and their connection to
the system of the West Kent Main Sewerage Board. The
sewering of the Parishes of Hayes and Keston, though not
presenting the same degree of urgency, will have to be
considered seriously in the near future.
Chelsfield.—That part known as New Chelsfield is sewered,
the sewage discharging into the West Kent Main sewers. The
other part of the Parish, including Chelsfield Village, Prattsbottom,
and Maypole, are on cesspool accommodation.
Cudham.—There is cesspool accommodation throughout
the whole of the Parish, and these are cleansed when necessary
by the owners, the sewage being deposited on the land.
Downe.—Entirely drained to cesspools, which are cleansed
by the owners and deposited on agricultural land.
Farnborough.—With the exception of seven houses in
isolated parts, all premises are connected to the main drainage.
Hayes.—The main drain of Hayes Village deals only with
the slop water.in connection with 60 houses, and discharges on
to pasture land. About 40 houses in Hayes Road are connected
with the West Kent sewer. The other parts of the Parish are
connected to cesspools.
Keston.—The general system is on cesspool accommodation,
with the exception of 24 houses at Keston Park, where
the slop water is deposited on small gardens at the rear of
houses and nuisances are constantly arising therefrom. In
consequence of the water-logged subsoil, it is impossible to
provide cesspools, and the only practical remedy is main
drainage. The drainage from 40 houses in Lakes Road is
conveyed by overflow pipes from cesspools to a Farrar's patent
filter tank, the effluent being afterwards treated by trenching
on isolated land in the vicinity.
Knockholt.—Cesspool accommodation universal. The
cleansing is done by the owners when necessary, and contents
deposited on agricultural land.
Mottingham.—Five houses only (in Elmstead Lane where
no sewer exists) have cesspools; the remainder of the houses
in this Parish are drained into the sewer.
North Cray.—The Council's sewer runs through the village
and the drains of houses adjoining are connected up. About
70 outlying houses have cesspools.
Orpington.—The West Kent Board's sewer runs through
the High Street and the sewers in the district roads merge into