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11
Sanitary Cirbumstances or the District.
the Richmond and Barnes Joint Sewage Works—the effluent
discharged into the Thames and the sludge barged away. The
Pumping Machinery at the Works can deal with 50 million gallons
of water daily; a good deal of the rain water goes direct to the
river by a special system of drains, but most of the roof water
enters the sewers.
The sewage is treated with chemicals, sedimented, filtered and
then discharged after aeration, three to four million gallons being
thus treated in the 24 hours. The residue or sludge is filtered
under pressure and pressed into slabs 2£in. thick, and amounting to
7,000 tons of pressed cake annually, which is barged away and sold
for agricultural purposes. I only know of three cesspools and one
pail closet in the District, and these are only allowed because of
the difference in level between drains and sewers.
SCAVENGING.
For collection of House Refuse the prevailing system is one of
movable sanitary bins, which are emptied once weekly, and the
contents cremated in the Council's Destructor. The resulting
clinker is used for making pavement slabs in normal times.
There are several fixed receptacles for refuse still in use, which
tend to become untidy and leaky unless properly rendered inside
and out with cement. These fixed receptacles are being gradually
replaced by movable ones as opportunities arise.
SCHOOLS.
The Public Elementary Schools, with the exception of Mortlake
Council Schools, East Sheen Council Schools, Lonsdale Road
Council Schools, and Westfield's Boys' School, are old buildings, and
do not conform architecturally to modern ideas. The sanitary
arrangements are satisfactory. The Caretakers would have more
control Of the dust, if Dust Allayers were used on the floors and
Vacuum Cleaners run over the walls, cupboards, and hangings.
There is an urgent need for a good Secondary School in this
District.
No Schools were closed for infectious disease during the year.