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" It having been started that one cause of the flooding was that
the depth of the basement and lowest floors of the several
Premies flooded were below the inverts of the sowers, I have made
enquiries, and I find the depth of the sewer opposite 281, Burdett
Road, from the street level to the invert, is 8 ft 4 in , and the
depth of the floor of the breakfast room is 3ft ; opposite
49. Locksley Street the depth of the sewer from the street level to
the invert is 11ft, and the depth of the floor of the cellars 7 ft.
2-in ; opposite 19, Turner's Road the depth of the sewer from the
street level to the invert is 10 ft 8-in., and the depth of the floor
of the cellar 6 ft. These facts prove that the sewers are sufficiently
deep to properly drain the lowest floors of the premises, and that
the floodings arise from the sewer being charged with storm water
sufficiently high to force the water back into the basement through
the drains. When the main drainage sower was constructed
through Limehouse it was necessary to divert the sewer at the Cut
Bridgein Bow Common Lane into the low-level sewer. This was
done by constructing a new ewer by the side of the old one, and
forming a curved communication between the two. There was a
storm outlet at the Cut Bridge, which was removed when the new
sewer was constructed. I am of opinion that the new sewer is not
sufficient to discharge the Storm water into the low level sewer, but
in consequence of the sharp turn the storm water is dammed back,
flood the local sewere, and forces the water and sewage through the
drains into the lowest floor an 1 yards of the adjoining houses.
Also that sufficient communications should be made between the
local sowers and the main sewer, to as to effect the desired object,
and that if a storm outlet could he constructed to discharge the
storm water into the Lee Cut much advantage would be gained,
and the probability of flooding very much diminished. An
important point is that on the last occasion of flooding the main
sewer was charged up to within 16 feet of the surface with water.
This shows that there must be some defective arrangement at
the pumping station at Abbey Mills. It follows that when the
main sewer is charged with sewage to such a height the proper and
effectual discharge of sewage from the local and branch sewers
must be seriously interfered with."
No reply having been received from the County Council to the
several communications, in January 1890 their attention was again
called to the matter; but up to the present time no steps have been
taken with regard thereto.
VENTILATION OF SEWERS.
Complaints having been received as to the great nuisance
caused by the emanation of noxious effluvia from the gulleys aud