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19
When the present system of sewerage was installed some years
ago, and cesspools were generally abolished, the old and imperfect
house drains were, in many cases, connected up with the sewers
without reconstruction or the provision of inspection chambers.
Hence many of the present difficulties.
Particular reference should be made to the great improvements
in connection with both surface water and other drainage effected
by Mr. Tomes in the Lillian Road and Westfields districts, and to
the consequent great improvement in the health of the residents in
these two localities.
During 1908 it was discovered that the Beverley Brook was
being polluted by the turning of cesspool contents into surface
drains from certain houses in a part of East Sheen.
This has been promptly remedied.
But the need for a sewer in this part of the locality has been
already alluded to, and I hope to be able, in the near future, to
report that all the remaining cesspools have been done away with.
There are one or two cottages, or lodges, in which earth
closets are used, but everywhere else water carriage has been
adopted.
Of course in isolated houses the earth system is as a rule
preferable to cesspools. But it is not popular, although inexpensive
and easily worked.
No nuisance should ever arise in connection with an earth
system, and there is no sanitary objection except when there is a
water supply from shallow wells in the neighbourhood of the land
covered with the "Earth."