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29
The condition of the water in the River and the Docks has, during the
half-year, given rise to several very serious complaints. During July and
August especially, the water was dark in colour and very offensive to the
smell. This was particularly noticeable in that part of the River between
Limehouse and Woolwich, where it was very bad, resembling practically the
contents of a sewer.
Every year it has been observed that the River water becomes offensive
during the hot months of July and August, but this year it became offensive
during the month of October, which month was not distinguished by any
rise in temperature or by any undue deficiency in rainfall.
Numerous complaints were received from persons in the vicinity of
Woolwich, especially from persons who had to cross the River by the ferry
daily to reach their occupation. The vicinity was visited by your Medical
Officer on several occasions, and the complaints received were indeed fully
justified.
A sample of the River water was taken and submitted for analysis to the
City Analyst, with the result that one-third, approximately, was found to
consist of sewage. It is interesting to compare this with analyses of samples
taken from about the same locality before the precipitation works were
completed at Barking and Crossness, from which it will be seen that the
condition of the River water in the month of October last, at this point, was
even worse than it was at the time mentioned. (Table showing results of
analyses given at foot.)
In the absence of absolute evidence of any direct pollution of the River in
the month of October last, one can only speculate as to the possible cause of
the pollution. About this time there were many dense fogs on the River
which would effectively prevent the boats of the London County Council from
proceeding to sea to discharge their cargoes of sewage sludge. The number
of these boats being limited, it is probable that they were filled with sludge,
and at the Northern and Southern outfalls no boats being available in which
to deposit the sludge, crude sewage was allowed to flow direct into the River.