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13
"There is a Surface Water drainage system in the district
which communicates with the Thames at a point above the
water intake of the S.W. Water Co., so that case has to be
taken that no pollution is allowed.
"The Bye-Laws in the District are after the Model Series
of the L.G.B., and a provision is there that Cesspool shall b;
water-tight and of a certain capacity; the Council insist
that the Cesspool shall be water-tight, but allow an overflow
into a soak-away, and the soil being permeable the overflow
gets away freely.
"The Council undertake the emptying of cesspools and
earth-closets at a charge in the former case of 6/- for the first
load and 3/- for the second, with an additional charge where
the cover is below the surface of 1/- for opening the cesspool
and if drain rods are necessary a further charge of 1/6 is made;
for emptying the earth closets a charge of 2d. per week is made.
In both cases special carts are provided. The Council insist
that Owners shall sign the Order or request for cesspools to be
emptied, so as to ensure payment, and allow an abatement of
10% if the account" s paid within a certain time,, which
minimises the anrcunt of bad debts. The Council contract for
their cartage hut provide their own carts and the Council's
men undertake the work, three men working with each cart;
as a rule they work with 2 carts one being carted away and
emptied whilst the other is being filled, so as to save the time
of the labourers.
"The soil is carted away and discharged into lagoon on
ground rented on the borders of the district and subsequently
carted away and dealt with on the land. The Council pay
£15 per annum for the land rented and have to pay extra for
the soil to be finally dealt with.
"Cesspools are allowed to be constructed within 30ft from
buildings. The soil is not readily accepted by Farmers
owing to the disinfectant (Sulphate of Iron) used when emptying
the cesspools. The cost of the construction of the lagoons
is about £10 each. The van used is specially constructed
locally, by Messrs. Wakely & Garrett, of Bedfont Lane,
and cost £32 10s. 0d. (the price would probably now be
increased), and holds about 300 gallons. The Committee