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RIVERS, STREAMS & WATERCOURSES
The principal river in the area is the Thames, which forms
the southern boundary of the Borough
Two tributaries of the Thames (Rivers Ingrebourne and Rom)
traverse the district from north to south, and in the case of the
Rom is joined by the Ravensbourne in the southern part of the
Borough to form the Beam River.
The scheme for raising the level of the tidal defences on
the west bank of Rainham Creek in earthworks is now completed
between Redbridge Sluice and Frog Island Road. This was an
interim scheme to provide a reasonable standard of protection
pending a decision on proposals for a major permanent scheme.
The flow into the Beam River from Bretons Farm Sewage
Treatment Works has now ceased, and in order to maintain
adequate water supplies to the Ford factory a temporary scheme
to divert effluent from the Riverside Works to augment water in
the Beam River is now in operation.
In order to maintain the industrial water supply in the
Riverside area, a pilot tertiary treatment has been in operation
at the Riverside Works since July, 1968, consisting of three sand
filters. Evaluation of performance is expected to be completed
in May, 1969. Investigation and design are proceeding on the
main scheme to reclaim up to 8,000,000 gallons per day of
Riverside Works effluent and to discharge the treated water to
the Beam and Mardyke Rivers for industrial abstraction.
Early in the year under review the restriction of building
development in the Borough was removed in view of the impending
diversion of sewage from the Bretons Farm Works to the Riverside
Works. Complete diversion of the sewage was effected during the
year, resulting in the abandonment of the Bretons Works and the
cessation of the discharge to the Beam River from the works. A
survey of the Beam River carried out in November showed the
upper and central reaches to be generally clean. Below the
abandoned sewage works the river was much cleaner than for
many years past.
Last year I referred to the pollution caused to the Ingrebourne
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