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3. That all water cisterns for domestic purposes should he of galvanized
iron or slate, and he thoroughly cleansed at least once every six months.
The use of filtered water for drinking and culinary purposes is particularly
recommended.
By Order,
SAML. EDWARDS,
Clerk to the Board.
Rushey Green, Catford, S.E.,
3rd November, 1875.
These suggestions, together with a plan, were sent to
every house in the district, but I think that I may say
produced little (if any) impression upon the minds of the public,
who at the risk of their health arc confessedly ignorant of the
subject of drainage, and seem content to remain so ; and many
houses are in a dangerous state of impurity, and will, I am
afraid, continue to be so until more stringent means are determined
upon by the Local Authority to require every house,
both old and new, to be drained and ventilated in accordance
with the important plans suggested.
The whole gist of the arrangements for the drainage of
dwelling houses is concentrated in the preventing any communication
with the sewer inside the house, and thoroughly
ventilating the soil pipe by a pipe of the same size from the
sewer to a sufficient height above the roof.
Admit fresh air constantly by ventilation.
Houses are in many instances placed too close together,
by which means the free circulation of air is impeded.
The ground upon which buildings are erected should be
surface drained, and a communication made with the sewer
before the foundation is laid, to prevent the accumulation of
water.
The house should have its basement well elevated above
the ground, and waterproof courses always so arranged as to
prevent the absorption of wet from below.
The Licensed Cowsheds
have been carefully inspected from time to time during the
year.