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Surface drainage in the south is mainly by soakaways in the chalk;
elsewhere it is by surface sewers to the River Wandle.
Two hundred and sixty-nine obstructions affecting 891 houses
were dealt with, chiefly in combined drainage systems.
Rivers and Streams
The County Council are responsible for the branch of the River
Wandle which flows through the district and the ponds which feed it.
Routine cleansing work was carried out on the Tweeddale Road
open ditch. This water course, now in a built-up area, constitutes a risk
to public health and the Council have taken steps to have it piped in.
One complaint in respect of the water course in Ruskin Road was
received and was dealt with by the County Council.
Closet Accommodation
All dwellings have w.c.s connected to the sewers except 17 in
unsewered areas which are connected to 13 cesspools. There are no
earth closets.
Public Cleansing
This service is under the direction of the Council's Engineer and
Surveyor.
Collection.
The method of collection was as shown in previous reports by a
fleet of modern vehicles suitably designed with side or end loading to
meet the special requirements of properties with differing types of
approach. All are fitted with hydraulic tipping gears.
The collection of waste from blocks of flats, which are becoming an
increasing feature of modern housing development, presents special
problems. Lifting gear was fitted to one refuse vehicle to facilitate
collection from this type of property.
Kitchen waste is collected for pig food, the bins for which are
cleansed by steam.
Disposal.
Disposal is effected by incineration after extraction of saleable
salvage material in a six-cell Destructor. Quantities to be dealt with at
the works increases steadily and during the winter months the plant is
working to capacity. Reciprocal arrangements with neighbouring
authorities meet the difficulties which arise when the Destructor is out
of action for work of maintenance and repair. Clinker and screenings are
disposed of by controlled tipping, but during the warm weather when
the load on the Destructor is lightest, no screenings are extracted.
During the year clinker and screenings were sent to the Barrow Hedges
controlled tip where the level of existing ground is being raised to form
school playing fields for the Education Authority.
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