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Closure of this Sewage Works during 1968 is expected to
result in a marked improvement in the quality of the lower Beam
River.
During the summer when reconstruction of Nags Head Lane
Sewage Works resulted in a marked reduction in effluent purification
the Ingrebourne River became grossly polluted and caused much
public complaint. A considerable amount of attention was given
to investigating these complaints and nine samples of river water
were taken during this period for bacteriological and chemical
examination.
Following forceable representations to the Essex River
Authority and the Brentwood Urban District Council—the owners
of Nags Head Lane Sewage Works—arrangements were made
for the chlorination of the effluent as a precautionary measure
until such time as the new treatment units come into operation
to give a marked improvement in the quality of the river water. The
dilution effect of heavy rainfall during the autumn months also
helped to alleviate this nuisance.
Restoration of the river water to a quality far better than
has been experienced for many years is expected to be achieved
during the forthcoming year.
No significant pollutions were caused by direct discharges
of industrial effluents to rivers in the Borough during the year
but several cases of oil pollution and accidental minor pollutions
of various kinds were investigated by the River Authority and
appropriate remedial action applied.
The levels of radioactivity (Beta-emission) in the Rivers
Beam and Ingrebourne have been checked regularly. The levels
of radioactivity, in excess of that occurring naturally, found
during the year were very small, varying from nil to 13 pico-curies
per litre of water. This radioactivity, derived from residual
fall-out from nuclear test explosions is rather less than that
observed in 1966, and very much below that observed following
the Russion megaton test explosions carried out within the
Arctic Circle in 1961/62. The levels of radioactivity in river
waters observed during the year are considered to be satisfactorily
low and harmless.
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