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38
SEWAGE DISPOSAL.
The Borough is sewered on the separate system, that is,
surface water, etc., is kept out of the foul system.
The rain-water, however, from the back slopes of the roofs
and back yards is admitted into the sewer, so that there is a
considerable increase in the flow during wet weather.
The sewage contains very little trade effluent. The
method of purification is by chemical precipitation by lime and
alumina, followed by filtration through a clinker bacteria bed.
The final effluent is discharged into barking Creek, a tidal
tributary of the Thames.
Owing to the district being flat, the main sewer on reaching
the works is situated at a very low level. This necessitates
pumping the whole of the sewage into the precipitaton tanks
and from these it has again to be pumped on to the filter beds.
REFUSE DESTRUCTOR.
This was installed by Meldrum Bros., Ltd., in 1904, and is
of the under-feed type.
During the year, 16,800 tons of refuse were deposited.
The heat of combustion is applied to the generation of
steam for pumping sewage.
SWIMMING BATH.
The plans and estimates for providing a suitable and much
needed covered bath have been passed by the Council.
There is no doubt this will be of great benefit to the
Borough for promoting cleanliness and health as well as for the
purpose of teaching swimming.
WATER SUPPLY.
This is supplied by the Metropolitan Water Board and is
of excellent purity and constant supply.
There are still some houses found with drinking-water
cisterns in unsatisfactory positions, also without suitable covers,
but these when discovered are remedied.