View report page

There are two great sources of pollution of the rivers before
they enter West Ham. The two neighbouring Boroughs of Leyton
and Walthamstow have now connected up their sewers with the
L.C.C. Hackney Sewer, and only discharge into the rivers in the
case of heavy storms, the consequence being that the condition of
the water from the River Lee reaching West Ham is greatlv improved.
The Council, with the Lee Conservancy, have obtained Parliamentary
Powers for dealing with all the back waters of the
River Lee.
DRAINAGE AND SEWERAGE.
The water carriage system of sewage removal is almost
universal throughout the whole Borough. With very few exceptions,
houses are provided with properly Hushed modern water
closets, discharging by modern drainage into the Public Sewers
which also convey the surface water. The part of the Borough
lying South of the Victoria and Albert Docks drains into the two
main sewers, just touching East Ham and discharging into the
L.C.C. Sewer at North Woolwich.
With the exception of about 200 acres on the North side of
the Borough, the whole of the sewage is waterborne. A scheme
is being considered to deal with this part of the Borough under
the Town Planning Act.
Excepting this comparatively small area, the whole district
North of the Victoria and Albert Docks is drained by gravitating
sewers to the Corporation Pumping Stations at Abbey Mills,
where the dry weather flow is pumped into the Northern outfall
sewer, which crosses the Borough obliquely to the London outfall
at Barking. There are certain other storm sewers provided which
discharge into the rivers.
CLOSET ACCOMMODATION.
Seal Wharf is an area of about 56 acres, which is converted
into an island by the back waters of the River Lee. It is entirely
given over to factories of varying size. This piece of land is so
peculiarly placed that an elaborate and costly system of sewerage
would have to be laid down to effectively carry the sewage either
under or over the river. There are closets of the pail type on the
site. The lessee of the land is directly responsible for keeping
these in a sanitary and efficient state. The Sanitary Inspector for
the district inspedts this area at very frequent intervals to see that
no nuisance arises.
SCAVENGING.
This work is carried out under the supervision of the Borough
Engineer's Department.
The more important roads are dealt with by the use of two
"Karrier" motor sweepers, whilst the rest of the thoroughfares
are swept by hand brooms.
56