View report page

104
After considering the various analyses no objection could
be taken to Samples 3, 5, and 6, which were taken from the watercourses
before they reach the points where the effluent and stormwater
enter, nor to Samples 8 and 9 taken from the River
Ravensbourne.
With regard to Samples No. 1 (effluent from filter beds of
the Croydon Sewage Farm), No. 2 (from conduit conveying
storm-water and waste from Public Baths), No. 4 (from the
River Beck before its junction with the Chaffinch), and No. 7
(from the Pool River at Southend) the analysis was unsatisfactory.
The organic purity of the effluent from the sewage farm
was, in my opinion, far below that of a passable effluent, and the
character of the water in the Pool River was completely changed
after receiving the sewage effluent and waste water from the
baths. Although the river water is not used for drinking
purposes, the fact that large quantities of organic putrescible
matter was being admitted to the river necessitated action being
taken to secure a higher standard of purity of the effluent. It
must also be remembered that the river passes through the
Ladywell Recreation Ground and isolated cases may occur of
children or others drinking the water. The risk of admission of
pathogenic bacteria, which might at any time render the consumption
of water-cress grown at Southend Lane exceedingly
dangerous, called for a bacteriological examination of the water
in question. Samples of effluent, water, and water-cress were
submitted to Professor E. Klein for examination, and he reported
on the same as follows :—
(Copy) St. Bartholomew's Hospital, E.C.
April 27th, 1903.
To the Medical Officer of Health.
Sir—I beg herewith to report on the bacterioscopic analysis on the
Sample of effluent, and the two samples of water received here by messenger
on April 23rd, 1903.
The effluent, slightly turbid, was labelled " Effluent from Sewage Farm."
One sample of water was labelled "From Chaffinch, 100yards above
junction from Sewage Farm." This sample was very slightly turbid.