[Report 1913] / Medical Officer of Health, Chatham Borough.

  • Chatham (Kent, England). Borough Council.
Date:
1913
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1913] / Medical Officer of Health, Chatham Borough. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    14/66 (page 14)
    being steadily carried out. In some cases the fre(]iient emptying which is necessary has become a nuisance to individual householders, and whilst this is to 1)6 regretted, it is inevitable under present circum- stances. Contamination of the public water supply must be prevented at all costs. RIVItR POLLUTIO.V. The River Medway receives much crude sewage, princdpally from the large Government Departments, and also from war and other vessels in the River. The latter source of pollution cannot be of)viated, the former will only cease when main drainage is in operation. DRAINAGE AND SEWERAGE. Eon a long period of years this subject has received notice in my Annual Reports. The condemnation of the present system of sewage disposal, and the expression of hope that an early alteration wouhl occur has been the burden of the theme. Last vear I was able to j record distinct progress. A suitable site had l)een found, and approved, an option was secured, and it remained tO' decide whether a scheme of Main Drainage should be carried out jointly bv Chatham and Rochester, or by each separately. The Chatham Council was unanimous in its determination tO' proceed, with Rochester if possible, or if negotiations failed, alone. To' anyone considering the proximity of the twO' towns, of their geographical position, and of the vastly increased expenditure which separate schemes would entail, there could be no- doubt of the overwhelming advantages which a joint scheme would offer, and in the very prolonged and careful negotia- tions which have taken place between the representatives of the towns, considerable tact and patience were displayed, and, al)Ove all. a desire on both sides that, whilst safeguarding as far as ('ould be the interests of their respective ratepayers, evervthing should l)e put on siK'h a fair basis that in the future working of the scheme there should lae no discord, 'fhat this has been accomplished in the face of very grave difficulties must be placed tO' the lasting credit of the negotiators, and it is significant that their work rei'eived the almost unanimous approval of their Councils. The povsition is now as follow's : — An agreement has been con- cluded Iretween the two CoTporations, and the fingineer to the scheme has been appointed. Application to the Local Government Hoard for a Provisional Order for the constitution of a Joint Sewerage Hoard, and for the compulsory purchase of the various lands required for the scheme, has been made, and an in(]uiry has now been held. This and other important matters must be adjusted before work can be ('ommenced.