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29
SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE AREA
WATER
Details of the water supply for the district and of the steps taken
to ensure that the water supply is safe were set out in the Annual Report
for the year 1948.
The results of the analysis of samples taken throughout the year were
all satisfactory.
The residents living on Stanmore Common at times suffer from an
inadequate water pressure. It is understood that the Colne Valley Water
Company have received permission to carry out works which involve
the laying of 2,000 yards of 12 in. and 9 in. mains and the installation
of a temporary booster. It is not expected though that the pipes will be
available until the summer of 1954, so that the new mains will not be
effective until 1955. The temporary booster, however, is expected to get
over the difficulties arising from high loading of the distribution system.
DRAINAGE AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL
Particulars of the local arrangements were set out in the Annual
Report for 1948.
The following is an extract from the report of the meeting of the
Highways and Cleansing Committee held on 10th September, 1952: —
" The Surveyor reported that, on the evening of Wednesday, 6th August,
1952, exceptionally heavy rain occurred in north-west London, causing widespread
flooding of roads and houses; that in Harrow, heavy rain began to
fall at 7.30 p.m. and continued without abatement until 8.15 p.m.; that during
that period, 2.62 inches of rain were recorded on the rainfall gauge at the
Council Offices at 'Cottesmore,' Uxbridge Road, Stanmore; and that this was
equivalent to a storm of 3.49 inches per hour. Further, that the appropriate
Government Department recommendation for design of sewers for a 45minute
storm is 0.61 inches per hour. Thus, the storm in question was about
five-and-a-half times greater than that for which sewers are normally designed.
Under these circumstances, all sewers, both foul and storm water, were
running full and were unable to deal with the excess water falling on the
area. The Surveyor also reported that, in addition, all brooks and watercourses
were overloaded and storm water outlets were submerged; that these
conditions gave rise to flooding in many parts of the District; and that
members of the Council staff and workmen had been called out at 8 p.m.
on 6th August and had commenced at once with relief works.
" The Surveyor submitted a list, showing the areas and properties in the
District, which had suffered flooding; and stated that the storm was the
severest ever recorded in Harrow; that a fall of 2.62 inches of rain in the
short period of three-quarters of an hour was bound to cause considerable
flooding and inconvenience which could not be avoided; that everything had
been done to restore sanitary conditions and to render assistance where
required; and that in each case brought to the Council's notice where property
was flooded by water from a foul sewer, cleansing operations had been
carried out as soon as possible, and were completed by 11th August, 1952.
" The Clerk submitted a list of properties which had sustained flooding
and reported as to the action taken by the appropriate departments of the