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22
SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE AREA
SEWERAGE AND DRAINAGE. The vast majority of premises of all types in the
Borough are drained by the combined system, that is to say both the surface
water and sewerage discharge into the same drain.
The drainage staff of the Department comprises one drainage foreman, one
driver and twelve labourers. The work undertaken consists mainly in tracing
and exposing drains under Section 40(1) of the Public Health (London) Act,
1936, clearing stoppages in emergencies, minor repairs to drains following the
service of notices under Section 40(4), tracing rat runs and assisting in the
smoking of rat runs as circumstances require: in addition these men assist in
the removal of offensive refuse from vacant sites.
The construction and maintenance of sewers vested in the Borough Council
is the responsibility of the Borough Engineer and Surveyor's Department. Work
carried out by that Department during the year included the reconstruction of
approximately 1,127 yards of sewers. In certain areas of the Borough the
sewers, by reason of age and the redevelopment which has taken place since
they were originally constructed, are inadequate for the volume of sewerage
they now receive. In times of abnormal rainfall these sewers are subject to
surcharge which frequently results in flooding of houses in the area; one
such sewer is that in Rendlesham Road which has been a source of complaints
since 1926. In times of heavy rainfall this sewer surcharges to such an extent
that the basements of houses in the road have on occasions suffered
flooding to a depth of up to two feet. It is gratifying to report that the
Minister of Housing and Local Government has now given approval to the expenditure
necessary for the reconstruction of this sewer,
PUBLIC HEALTH (LONDON) ACT, 1936
SECTIONS 34, 40 AND 107' (Drainage). Plans of proposed works of con
struction of new drains or reconstruction or alterations to existing systems
were approved by the Public Health Committee in respect of 61 premises: drains
and sanitary fittings tested and examined totalled 5,301; defective drains
were relaid at 139 premises and repaired at 631 premises. It was necessary
to serve 121 notices under section 40 (4) of the Act requiring the carrying
out of drainage work. In many instances the existence of defective drains
came to the knowledge of the department through the medium of builders giving
the required notice of their intention to carry out drainage works.
In the
following 14 instances involving 33 dwelling houses the Council exercised
their default powers and carried out the work required at a total cost of
£1,381 13s. 2d,