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3. RIVERS AND STREAMS.
The River Thames forms the western boundary of the Borough and
is under the control of the Thames Conservancy Board, The Hogsmill
River, a tributary of the Thames, for some two miles forms the eastern
boundary and thence flows through the Borougho In dry weather a considerable
portion of the flow of this river comprises the effluent
from the Hogsmill Valley Sewage Treatment Works, The Beverley Brook,
another tributary of the Thames, forms part of the eastern boundary
and receives the effluent of the Worcester Park Sewage Disposal Works„
The pollution of the rivers has been a matter of concern to the
department and in particular from litter and waste arising from house
boats occupied by river-side dwellers. Members of the general public
can do much to reduce the nuisance from litter and the practice of
dumping large pieces of unwanted furniture, mattresses, prams and
similar items can produce hazards in streams which would otherwise be
attractive amenities and the Council has restricted the use of riverside
moorings in its ownership to non-residential use and this should
make a useful contribution to the cleanliness of the river
Whilst the quality of the water in the Thames is improving it is
not fit for bathing and the one case of Weils disease which was notified
last year was presumably contracted from this source,
4. DRAINAGE AND SEWERAGE,
With the exception of a small quantity which is discharged to
the sewage disposal work3 of the London Borough of Sutton at Worcester
Park and to the Greater London Council Wandle Valley Works, the sewage
of the district is treated at the Hogsmill Valley Sewage Treatment
Works, This modern plant also deals with the sewage from the Borough
of Epsom & Ewello
With the exception of a few houses, all dwellings are connected
to the main sewage system,
5° PUBLIC CLEANSING,
The Borough Engineer and Surveyor is responsible for the
collection and delivery of refuse to a central loading point whence
it is hauled in large vehicles to tips operated by contractors employed
by the Greater London Councils, who are responsible for the
disposal of refuse.. The total amount of refuse passing over the
weighbridge during the year ended 31st December, 1969 was 48„925
tons.