View report page

112
Sewers.
No new sewers have been constructed during the year.
In June, 1897, the existing 15 in. pipe sewer in Aspinden Road became entirely
blocked. It was opened in six pla'c6s along a length of 300 ft. for clearance, and was found
to be quite full of deposit, which was so hard that in some cases it was only with difficulty
that a drain cleansing rod could be passed through it; from levels taken it was found to be
very irregular in level, and for over 160 ft. of its length fell the wrong way, the centre
of the length being 45/8 in., and the top end 2£ in. lower than the outlet of the
manhole near the Raymoutli Road into which this sewer should discharge. On the 11th
June, I presented to the Sanitary Committtee my report on the condition of this sewer and
an estimate for relaying the same amounting to £230, but as the sewer had been
thoroughly cleansed the matter was adjourned for six months ; at the end of that time the
question was again brought to the notice of the Committee and instructions given for the
cost of the work to be included in the next estimate, the work to be commenced as soon as
possible after the 25th March. The reconstruction will shortly be taken in hand.
Receiving several complaints as to the emission of foul gases from the open grating in
the street from the County Council sewer opposite 72, Union Road, I endeavoured to obtain
the consent of the owners on both sides of the road to the erection of an up-cast shaft
ventilator in lieu thereof, but without success. The question of the ventilation of the
sewers has received considerable attention during the past year from Metropolitan Engineers
and Surveyors; meetings have been held in connection with the Association of Municipal
Engineers and Surveyors, and at the invitation of the Chief Engineer of the London
County Council a Conference was held on the 25th February, at Spring Gardens, " With a
view of some uniform system being adopted for dealing with complaints of offensive
emanations from gratings connected wit'i both local and main sewers ; " there were present
Engineers and Surveyors from 39 Vestries and District Boards, and the following resolutions
were adopted:—
1. "That the closing of sewer ventilators, in response to complaints, increases the general
evil, the diminution of which is to be obtained by the multiplication of ventilators at regular
frequent intervals.