The Sun.
London, England, 1858-10-01 00:00:00

METROPOLITAN BOARD OF WORKS.

(MEETING THIS DAY,)

The ordinary weekly meeting of the Metropolitan
Board of Works was held to-day in the Council
Chamber, Guildhall.
MAIN DRAINAGE OF THE METROPOLIS.

Mr. BAZALGETTE read the following report to the
Board upon the arrangements proposed for con•
structing the Main Drainage and Intercepting
Sewers :
Gentlemen,—Since the date of your resolution I have
been actively engaged in re-surveying and levelling the
routes of the several lines of the intercepting sewers recom-
mended in the report of Messrs. Bidder, Hawksley, and
myself. Corrected surveys and detailed plans of the private
property to be crossed are now being constructed, and an
inquiry has lieen instituted as to the ownership and occu-
piers of such portions thereof as will have to be purchased.
Additional borings are now being made, and the contract
drawings and specifications for several portions of the work
have already been commenced, and are beingproceeded with
as rapidly as possible, in the order hereinafter enumerated.
With regard to the arrangements by which the several
parts of the works can be most advantageously and conve-
niently carried out, I submit that the natural and most
convenient order for executing works of this character
would be to commence at the outfalls on both sides of the
river; and by first constructing the high level and gravi-
tating sewers, to cut off the flood' waters of the high from
the low level districts, and thus to prepare for the subse-
quent execution of the low level sewers.
But for some years past, whilst the best system of main
drainage to be executed has been under discussion, the evils
arising' from defective drainage and the want of proper
()Walls have been rapidly increasing, and have, in many
parts of the metropolis, become so intolerable as to demand
some modification of this most convenient mode of conduct-
ing the works, in order to produce beneficial results with the
least possible delay.
Pressing demands upon this Board for improved drainage
outfalls continue to be received from all parts of the metro-
polis, and the memorialists have grown impatient, at the
answer that " no permanent relief can be afforded them
until the main drainage is carried out." Thus it is ren-
dered necessary to push forward the works at numerous
points simultaneously ; and whilst now making a selection
of the works to commence with, it is not intended to post-
pone the others, but one contract after another will be fol-
lowed up as rapidly as they can be prepared, and entered
into ; and it is anticipated that in the course of the next
year the whole will be in active operation.
On the north side of the Thames the northern high level
sewer, from Hampstead to the River Lea, is urgently
needed. It will form a substitute for the open Hackney-
brook sewer, and embraces a length of 'it miles of main
sewer and 1 mile of branches; and, in an engineering
point of view, it is a convenient portion of the work to com-
mence upon. I have, therefore, first prepared the contract
drawings and specifications for this portion—to be let in one
contract—which is now submitted for your approval ; and
I recommend that advertisements be forthwith issued for
tenders for this contract.
The more detailed surveys which are now being made
have enabled me to improve the original line in several
places, and I hope, by similar careful revisions, to be
enabled from time to time to make improvements in all
other lines.
The whole cost of this work, including land, compensa-
tions, and a variety of contingent items, will be, in round
numbers, about £150,000.
A considerable portion of the surplus earth may bo re-
moved from the excavations through the new sewer when
constructed : and inasmuch as the best of this earth, and
that from the middle level sewer, will be required to form
the embankment of the main outfall sewer from the river
' Lea across the marshes to Barking Creek, the formation of
so much of this outfall sewer forms a part of the present
contract, and must be at once commenced ; and immediate
steps must be taken to effect the purchase of the land neces-
sary for this purpose.
I beg to call the early attention of the Board to this
point, as delay here will give rise to great inconvenience ;
and I recommend that the necessary machinery to accom-
plish this object be at once set in motion.
The south side of the Thames next demands. your atten-
tion. Largo and densely-inhabited districts of Camberwell,
Deptford, Bermondsey, Rotherhithe, and Lambeth are
suffering from flooding, and other evils arising from the
' pent up sewage of their tide-locked sewers; and last year
this Board, fearing that further delays might arise before
they were enabled to carry out the main drainage, had
determined upon and taken stops for the execution of tem-
porary works, at a very large pecuniary sacrifice, in order
to afford those districts immediate relief. This relief may,
however, now be obtained by constructing a portion
of the permanent works. I therefore recommend that the
order of the board for the erection of a temporary station at
the mouth of the Earl sewer be rescinded ; and that in lieu
thereof the first permanent pumping station at Deptford
Creek, intended to raise the sewage of the low level sewer
into the main outfall channel, be at once constructed.
To build and erect the required machinery will take
time, and it will now be necessary to provide competent
assistance to superintend the designing and erection,
thereof, as well as that of the other pumping establish-
ments.
When these arrangements are sufficiently advanced it is
proposed to construct the north branch of the low level
sewer from St. James's Church, Bermondsey, to Deptford
Creek, including a portion of the main low level sewer, in
one contract. These works will, when executed, produce
an early and most beneficial influence upon the populous
districts already referred to.
The sewers of the western division may be commenced
and completed independently of the other portions of the
work, but before these are contracted for it is desirable to
enter upon definite arrangements for the deodorisation of
the sewage to be carried off by them. I have already re-
ceived from Mr. W. F. Cooke, the chairman of the com-
pany conducting the Leicester Sewage Works, the heads
of a proposition upon this subject in a letter which I here-
with submit for the consideration of the Board.
The deodorizing works proposed to be erected in this dis-
trict will afford useful experience for future arrangements
to bo made at the main outfalls, and it is possible they may
be more advantageously worked by private individuals who
entertain-a favourable opinion of the value of the manure,
than could be done by a public Board. I, therefore, recom-
mend that advertisements be forthwith issued in the public
papers, setting forth the quantities of sewage to be dealt
with, and stating that this Board will be prepared, at a
time named, to receive and consider tenders from respon-
sible parties, for the deodorisation of the sewage of the
western division, and the removal of the deposit, for a term
of years, under certain restrictions, to be stated, which
shall secure the effective deodorisation, purification, and
removal of the sewage, in such a manner that no nuisance
shall be created thereby.
Under such arrangements' the marketable value of the
metropolitan sewage as a manure would soon be fairly
developed.
The high level sewer on the south side of the Thames
should then be let in one contract. Then the middle level
sewer on the north side, in another contract ; to be followed
by a contract for the northern main outfall sewer, from the
river Lea to Barking Creek. Then the low level sewer on
the south side of the Thames , afterwards the southern
main outfall sewer. Then the reservoirs at both outfalls ;
and lastly the low level sewer on the north side of the
Thames.
In compliance -with the latter portion of my instructions,
plans for outfall sewers to Greenwich Marshes have been
prepared ; and I now beg to report that the following
appear to be some of the comparative advantages and dis-
advantages of placing the southern outfall in Greenwich
Marshes, instead of at Crossness Point in Erith Marshes.
An outfall at Greenwich Marshes would admit of the
discharge of the sewage from the high level sower, at high
water, by gravitation, and would reduce the lift of the low
level sewage. But, on the other hand, the point of dis-
charge would be nearly six miles higher up the river ; and
since, with this proposition, it is rendered necessary to
deodorise and remove the deposit during the whole year,
the annual expenditure would be largely increased.
Indeed, so far as I have been enabled to compare
the first cost and annual expenditure of .the two
propoSitiois, it appears that in a pecuniary point
of view, they are nearly balanced. Looking, therefore, at
the whole bearing of the subject, I am of opinion that it is
desirable to adhere to the former decision of the Board, and
to place the Southern outfall at Crossness Point in the
Erith Marshes.
In conclusion, I submit the following table, showing the
manner in which it is proposed to divide the work
into separate contracts ; and the periods at which the draw-
ings and specifications may, so far as it is possible to esti-
mate, be expected to be ready to advertise for tenders, ac-
companied by estimates of cost, intended merely to give a
general view of the nature and extent of the works, and in-
cluding land, compensation, and a variety of contingent
items. The table has reference to the construction of
sewers and works, exclusive of machinery, engine-houses,
deodorising works, and other items.
"1. High Level Sewer, north side of Thames—now
ready—Xlso,ooo.:
"2. Northern Branch of Low Level Sewer, south side of
Thames—depending on the purchase of land and probable
completion of machinery at Deptford Creek—£6o,ooo.
"3. Sewers of Western Division—depending upon ar-
rangements to be made for deodorization---£55,000.
"4. High Level Sewer, south side of Thames—February,
1859—£200,000.
"5. Middle Level Sewer, north side of Thames—March,
1859—X214,000.
"6. Main Outfall Sewer, north side of Thames—April,
1859—£464,000.
"7. Low Level Sewer, south side of Thames—May,
1859—5152,000

"8. Main Outfall Sewer to Crossness Point, south side
of Thames—June, 1859—p72,000.

"9. Reservoir, north side—July, 1859—X150,000.
" 10. Reservoir, south side—July, 1859—D0,000.
" 11. Low Level Sewer, north side of Thames—depending
on the Thames embankment—£22l,ooo.
Total approximate cost, £2,131,000.
Copy of a letter from Mr. W. F. Cooke, Chairman of the
Company conducting the Leicester Sewage Manure
Works, to Mr. Bazalgeire.
" Oaklands, Stockbridge, Sept. 25, 1858.
" Dear Sir.—With reference to the communications I
have already had with you upon the subject, I beg to state
„Slat I am prepared, if called upon, to contract for the de-
oderisation of the entire sewage of London, and the removal
of the mud deposit, upon the following basis :
" 1. To erect works near Kensington-canal, and carry
out the Leicester process in the most perfect form, for a
fixed sum per million gallons of sewage per annum, deoder-
izing throughout the year with one ton of lime (or its equi-
valent in some other chemical) per million gallons.
"2. To erect works at the outfalls mentioned in plan B*,
and to deodorise, &c., for a fixed sum with three-quarters
of a ton of limo per million gallons of sewage during half
the year only ; or,
"At any other stations that may be fixed upon here-
after for the whole or any
.portion of the present estimated
quantity of- sewage, the minimum being 70,000,000 gallons
per diem.
"3. Also to contract for employing an increased quantity
of lime, &c., for a period during hot weather, on a sliding
ale ; and also,
" For deodorising an increased quantity of sewage
beyond the present estimated flow,so that it will be in the
power of the metropolitan authorities to fix the locality of
fresh deodorising stations, to increase the quantity of
sewage to be deodorised with the increasing population,
and to increase the quantity of deodorising chemicals to be
used on an emergency. in accordance with a fixed scale of
charges.—l am, dear sir, yours truly,
(Signed) "Wm. F. COOKE.
" Joseph Bazalgette, Esq."
The adoption of the report was under discussion
when we went to press.

The Tuscan Moniteur of the 25th announces that
the Archduchess Isabella, Countess of Trapani,
daughter of the Grand Duke of Tuscany, has been
safely delivered of a princess.