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7
numerous small and inexpensive works at Penge, which, by
diverting a considerable portion of the storm-waters from the
sewers, re-opening the natural channels, and by other means,
materially reduced the evil.
Other works arc postponed, while observations are made,
during storms, as to the effect of those already constructed.
I devoted (as before alluded to) a considerable amount of
attention to the Crystal Palace and Grounds, where there is
a large area—the greater part in Penge, and the remainder
in Beckenham—from which, on account of its steepness, the
rainfall runs off very rapidly, the water which is not absorbed
by the land, or caught in the reservoirs, being at present
mixed with the sewage where it leaves the Palace Grounds.
The Crystal Palace Company's Engineer had, previously
to my first visit, made some drains and connections, for the
purpose of conducting to the Company's basins and reservoirs
a portion of this rainfall. Since our joint investigations,
he has been able, by the construction of other small works,
to divert to the reservoirs additional surface water, which,
while valuable to the Company, it is important to keep out of
the sewers.
Rainfall Crystal
Palace.
Further works with the same object may yet be carried out.
The Beckenham Sewerage Act, 1873, section 7, requires
that the Guardians of the Bromley Union "shall, so far as is
practicable, prevent" the storm-waters of the Beckenham
Sewerage Area from flowing into the sewers, and thereby
into the Penge and Bell Green Sewer; and the Lewisham
Board of Works, on the l6th July, 1874. passed a resolution
recommended by their Penge Local Committee, " that the
Bromley Guardians be informed generally of the proceedings
of this Board, with a view of separating the surface water
from the sewerage drainage of the Hamlet, and be urged to
adopt a similar course with reference to the Beckenham
Sewerage Area, as a compliance with the 7th section of the
Beckenham Sewerage Act, 1873."
I have kept this in view, while considering the works now
required; and, with reference to the future, I think it would
Storm waters
Beckenham
sewerage area.