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26
As further possible dangers, a similar condition of drainage
in Caterham and the Caterham Valley, beyond this District,
with a population many times that of Kenley, may be pointed to,
especially as some authorities think that defined underground
channels exist which may directly convey, not only matter
from cesspools near at hand, but also subterranean water
flowing from Caterham and along the valley, while, to make
the danger of more far-reaching importance, this water is
said to flow onwards to Croydon, where there are wells
supplying some 100,000 people.
Such are the surroundings of these two sources of watersupply.
That at Sutton is not within this District, and therefore
responsibility does not attach to this Council, but it is
satisfactory to know that the conditions there have been
materially improved by the sewage scheme. The other
dangers are much more problematical, but they have attracted
a great deal of attention, and efforts are being made to remove
them.
At Kenley the wells are within this District, and the
Council have decided to carry out a drainage scheme, in
order to abolish the cesspools entirely. The scheme is to
make provision for other portions of this District as well as
Kenley, but not for Caterham Valley.
It is obvious, however, that this cannot be carried into effect
for some time, so that I have asked the Council to endeavour to
abolish the soak-away cesspools nearest the Waterworks, and,
it may be mentioned, authority was given early in 1898 to
make an attempt in this direction in connection with a policestation
recently erected at Kenley, where an unsuccessful
effort was made to persuade the police authorities to provide
an impervious cesspool while the building was being constructed.