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27
Cesspools.
The work of abolishing cesspools where premises served by this
type of drainage are within 100 feet of a public sewer has proceeded
steadily throughout the year.
Seventy-five cesspools have been abolished and approximately
forty of these were on the line of recently constructed sewers.
There is close liaison with the Engineer and Surveyor's Department,
where private street works include the installation of a sewer
so that owners of properties fronting the proposed sewer can be
notified and given ample time to prepare plans, etc. in order to
make a connection to the sewer at the time of its construction or
in any case before the road is finally made up.
Owners taking full advantage of this prior notification can, of
course, effect an appreciable saving in cost.
Sixteen formal notices under Section 23 of the Orpington
Urban District Council Act 1954 were served upon owners during
the year. This notice requires the owner of premises to abolish
the existing system of drainage and to make a connection to the
public sewer.
Number of cesspools at 31st December, 1958.
(1) On line of sewer 123
(2) Not on line of sewer 2,342
Number of cesspools abolished and main drainage provided during
the year 75
Number of houses with pail closets converted to cesspool drainage —
Number of new houses erected with cesspool drainage 32
Number of loads removed from cesspools: —
On private properties 4,899
On requisitioned properties 100
On Council properties 675
5,674
Complaints.
During the year, 58 complaints were received from residents
and in only one case was it necessary to take formal action to
secure abatement of the nuisance.
In the case mentioned, the owner failed to comply with the
Statutory Notice requiring the abatement of a nuisance caused by
disrepair. Proceedings were instituted and the Court made a
nuisance order requiring the defendant to comply with the
abatement notice. The defendant was also ordered to pay £3 3s.
costs.