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empty were quite filled. And after consultation with the
Registrar General it was arranged to adopt an estimate
of 35.232 as compared with 30.562 for 1914. This number
is therefore used for the purpose of giving rates, etc.,
and would give an average of about 6.3 per house.
The majority of the population in the district are
employed at one or other of the Factories established
here; these comprise factories in which are carried on :
cable making, gun making, oil refining, manufacture of
mining and other machinery, and manufacture of asbestos
and cement slates and slabs. A small number are engaged
in agricultural and horticultural pursuits.
B.—Sanitary Circumstances of the District.
(1) Water Supply.
This is obtained from the Metropolitan Water Board.
The water is very, hard, but otherwise of good quality,
and the supply is ample for the requirements of the district.
(2) Drainage and Sewerage.
The main portion of the sewage of the District is
carried by a sewer which was completed and opened in
1898.
This sewer consists of two portions; one taking the
sewage from the low-lying part of the District, and running
from the western boundary near Abbey Wood Railway
Station to Erith. This portion is worked by the
Shone Pneumatic System, the ejectors being situated
about every half mile throughout its length, and being
worked by compressed air from the Outfall Works at
Anchor Bay.
The remaining portion of the sewer brings the
sewage from the upper part of Belvedere and from
Northumberland Heath; no ejectors are required on this
section, as the fall is sufficient to maintain a good flow
and keep the sewer clean.
The Sewage Outfall Works are situated at Anchor
Bay, at the eastern end of the District, and here the
sewage is treated by means of septic tanks, aeration beds
and percolating filters, the effluent being discharged into
the River Thames.