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Cesspools in the Chalk.—Having regard to the protection of the water supply,
a circular letter was sent out by me in February to the owners of all cesspools
known to exist in the chalk, requesting their assistance in safeguarding the purity of
the water by disconnecting all drainage into these pits. 1 am informed by the
Sanitary Inspector that the drains of fourteen houses were thus disconnected during
the year, the cesspools filled up, and the drainage taken into the sewers provided by
the local authority. There only remain, to the best of my knowledge, 19 houses on
the chalk formation still draining into cesspools, situated as follows:—3 each in
Brighton Koad, Langley Park Eoad, and Mulgrave Eoad; 2 in Carshalton Road;
and 1 each in the Cheam Eoad, Cedar Road, Grange Road, Grove Road, Hill Hoad,
St. James' Road, Western Road, and Sutton Court Road. Of these 3 only are
within a radius of quarter of a mile of the water works, viz., 2 in Carshalton Road
and 1 in Sutton Court Road, the latter of which is, I believe, in process of
disconnection at the present time, whilst the two former, previously unable to
connect owing to difficulties as regards the level of the sewer, are to be met by the
Council lowering the sewer so as to be able to receive the drainage at an early date.
The new auxiliary storm water sewer rendered necessary by the occasional
flooding of the lower part of the town, as referred to in my last report, is now in
course of construction. During the year the Council have decided to considerably
increase the length of this sewer so as to enable it to take the surface drainage from
the Langley Park district, which has for some time past been conveyed on to land
near the chalk pit in Carshalton Koad. This, from the close proximity to the water
company's wells, was very undesirable.
The question of hospital provision for smallpox patients has been frequently
under consideration, and on June 6th a deputation from the Sanitary Committee
attended a conference of local authorities convened by the County Council at the
County Hall, Kingston. In July a special report was called for from me on the
accommodation required for dealing with outbreaks of smallpox in Sutton. It was
ultimately decided not to oppose the County Council's scheme for a conjoint hospital
on being assured that no undue expenditure was contemplated on either permanent
buildings or staff.
Amongst other matters coming before the sanitary authority during the year
was the question of a nuisance arising from the smoke emitted from the chimney at
the works of the Electricity Supply Company. This was the cause of numerous
complaints, and although after a special inspector had been employed for some time
in taking notes it was found that the emission of smoke was not such as would
warrant legal action being taken, strong representations were made to the company
concerned and also to the London, Brighton & South Coast Railway, as it was
considered that the large amount of smoke emitted from their locomotives whilst
engaged in shunting operations contributed to the nuisance.
A nuisance arising from a foul ditch in the Angel Hill district was the cause oi
numerons complaints early in the year, and temporary measures were adopted by
the Council to remedy the evil until the extension of the sewerage system into this
portion of the district.
The sanitary condition of all the public and private schools have been the
subject of reports by the sanitary inspector and myself during the year.
Appended are the Sanitary Inspector's report of nuisances abated, various tables
of statistics, and meteorological notes.
I am, gentlemen, yours faithfully,
GEO. BOWER, D.P.H.
Municipal Offices, Medical Officer of Health.
Sutton, Surrey.
February 8th, 1905.