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54
SEWAGE DISPOSAL.
The drainage of the Borough is on the separate system, the
surface water flowing to the water course and the sewage to the
Council's own Works and Pumping Station. The sewage at first
passes through a screening chamber into a pump-well beneath the
engine-house, from which it is pumped into precipitation tanks,
where it is treated with lime (9 grains to each gallon of sewage).
There are two continuous-flow precipitation tanks. Only one tank
is in use at a time during dry weather. The effluent from these
tanks is treated with Ferric sulphate in liquid form (4.7 grains
per gallon of sewage). It then flows into one of the three quiescent
tanks and allowed to rest for two or three hours, and afterwards
pumped on to the bacteria beds. The effluent from the bacteria
beds flows through a humus basin to allow suspended matter to
settle, and is finally discharged into the River Roding, a tidal
tributary of the Thames. The effluent is frequently analysed, and
no complaints have been made during the year as to its character.
It contains very little trade effluent.
SWIMMING BATHS.
The new covered-in Public Swimming Bath has been much
appreciated. The swimming pond is 120 ft. by 40 ft. For a
distance of 30 ft. from the shallow end it has a uniform depth of
3 ft., the remainder ranging from 3 ft. to 6 ft. 9 in. at the deep
end, the deepest portion being 8 ft. 6 in. over the outlet. There
are three shower baths and two foot baths, with urinal and w.c.
accommodation. The slipper baths and vapour baths extension
are now completed. There is no doubt that besides serving the
purpose of instruction in swimming, the bath will promote cleanliness
and good health. The open air swimming bath in Central
Park is well patronised during the warm weather by those who
prefer to swim in the open.
WATER SUPPLY.
Water is supplied by the Metropolitan Water Board, and is
of excellent purity. Most houses in the Borough which had
previously storage cisterns now have a supply direct from the
main.