Water & Sewerage

Year Date
Details
1919 Apr 15 A letter be sent to Mr. Budds re the out fall of sewer from cottages on Wolverton Road.
1926 Mar 18 A long discussion took place regarding the method of sewer disposal at the 4 new houses recently built in Station Rd & the chairman promised to look into the matter & ascertain how many houses would require to be built on the same site before a proper sewer was put in.
1927 Mar 15 Sewage Disposal for new houses Station Road. A request was made that the Sanitary Committee Surveyor be asked to arrange for cesspools to be emptied more often in the winter months.
1928 Mar 11 A discussion on the sewage question of the Station Road was raised and several questions were put to the Chairman & answered Mr Smith asked the Chairman if he did not think the time had arrived for a water and a sewage scheme for the village. Mr J. Nicholls supported Mr Smith. The Chairman said personally he did not think the time was ripe as there was a good supply of well water & he thought that the sanitary arrangements compared favourably if not really better than many other villages near. He promised the questioner that the matter should be considered and discussed by the Council at their first meeting next month.
1929 Apr 16 Mr Smith's question at the Annual Meeting about a Water and Sewage Scheme was explained by the Chairman and after a long discussion the matter was referred to the Local Parochial Sanitary Committee.
1929 Sep 17 A long discussion took place over the various sanitary schemes & also the water scheme submitted by W. Castles Sanitary Inspector , it was agreed the a Parish Meeting be called on Monday Sept 30th 1929 "To consider a Sanitary scheme and also a Water scheme for the Village".
1929 Sept 30 General Meeting held at the Council School Sept 30th 1929. To consider a Sewage Scheme and also a Water Scheme for the Village as submitted from the Local Parochial Sanitary Committee.
The meeting was exceedingly well attended with all members of the Committee present.
The Chairman explained fully the reason of the meeting being called & read correspondence between the District Council & Messrs Jonas & Sons pertaining to the matter namely the pollution of spring water by sewage matter in Mr B. Whiting's field and making water unfit for cattle to drink.
Mr Low asked who caused the pollution. The Chairman replied that it was the sewage from the lower end of North Street. Mr Osborne wished to know why the sewage was allowed to enter the spring, but agreed the water was polluted and had been for years.
The Chairman then read particulars of the Sewage Scheme to put before the meeting. He explained that all the existing sewers would join a main sewer, the sewage passing through a filter bed and thence on to the river. The cost of the scheme would be about £1200. The figure of cost was received with groans and hilarity.
Many small speeches followed mostly in the form of questions. Among them being Mr W. Nichols & Mr W. Worker Jun. questioned about the connection of W. C.s. Mr Mapley wished to know the death roll of the cattle. Mr Olney wanted to know if tar in the water was poisonous. Mr Low wished to know the analysis of the samples that were taken. The Chairman said he had not got particulars only that it was unfit for drinking. Mr Greenwood, Mr Brice, Mr Onley, Mr Marsh, Mr Cowley & many others spoke or made expressions in opposition to the scheme.
Mr Whiting thought that most of the speeches and questions seemed rather hostile to the scheme before them & asked if by fencing the ditch off & bring or finding a supply of water to a tank or a trough that it would be a considerable cheaper scheme if satisfactory. Mr Olney thought owner of land should be at the expense of fencing. Mr Clark considered a well might be sunk for the supply of water. Mr Marsh thought the pollution should be treated nearer the village saving cost of pipes. Mr Richardson thought the filter bed might be placed in Mr Cook's of Mr Gobbey's field.
Mr Osborne said he should like to hear the views of the other members of the Council who only sat like a lot of dummies. The Chairman said all the members were of the same opinion as himself & could only repeat what remedy the parishioners had if this scheme were likely to be forced upon them and the Chairman stated as far as he knew 10 Parishioners could sign a petition to the Ministry of Health & the Ministry would then investigate the matter.
The Chairman here read an alternative scheme which had been before the Parochial Committee to remedy the evil of the bad water for the cattle. Fencing both sides of the ditch & bring a supply of water to a tank. Cost about £150.
Mr Whiting then stated he would be quite satisfied if the ditch was fenced in on both sides and a tank or trough placed to catch the water from the spring opened in the field, and thought the supply would be ample to feed the troughs in a normal summer. On being questioned by the Chairman Mr B. Whiting stated he was prepared to recommend this to Messrs Jonas & Sons & would be perfectly satisfied if a trough were placed to catch the water from the spring whatever the flow might be. If such was the case the Chairman said he would drop the first scheme and ask someone to propose an alternative scheme.
Mr Olney thereupon moved that an alternative scheme upon the lines of Mr B. Whiting's statement and the piping in of the sewage from the Station Road to the nearest point possible in ditch complained of, should be adopted. Mr Marsh seconded this. On being put to the meeting 13 voted for & 1 against the motion, the majority remaining neutral.
The Chairman declared the motion carried & stated he would put the scheme before the Parochial Sanitary Committee.
Mr Bavington complained of the state the roads and drains through the cows passing up and down the top part of South Street. The Chairman said this matter could not be gone into at this meeting but the Clerk would make a note of the complaint for the Council's attention.
Water Scheme - The Chairman then gave particulars of a Water Scheme for the village. This was in response to a request by Mr W.H. Smith at the Annual Meeting and would cost £1500.
There were shouts at once that the wells were good and a fair supply of water in the village although a dry season.
Mr Bavington there upon moved that no action be taken in this matter. Mr Green seconded & on being put to this meeting, was carried by a big majority.
The Chairman then said that if Mr B. Whiting suggestion was adopted it would still be necessary to deal with the Station Road sewer viz: extension to the 4 houses and piping in & carrying to nearest point possible in ditch complained of and would cost about £250.
1930 Mar 12 Sewerage Scheme - The Chairman explained how the Sewerage Scheme for which a Special Parish Meeting Sept 30th 1929 had been altered and a considerable amount saved by a fresh scheme. The Committee of R.W.C. Sanitary Authority had met the Local Council on the spot, agreed to alteration and under the supervision of the Inspector, the work finished. He thought thanks were due to the Sanitary Authorities & the Inspector as the Special Rate would only increase an extra penny in the £.
1931 Jun 15 Complaints having been received about the smell from the Filter Beds near the river it was resolved to write to the Sanitary Inspector in response to the matter.
1934 Mar 05 Mr Dolling asked why the sanitary arrangements were not improved, stating that this question should be discussed immediately. This was done. The Chairman explained that water was needed and that he thought it would be cheaper for each individual or household to bear their own expense of installing W.C. Mr Mapley then suggested that a water scheme, for the parish should be seriously considered, as in his opinion it was more needed than the scavenging scheme. Mr Richardson asked, whether the present drainage would be suitable, should the scavenging scheme be adopted. The Chairman then explained Mr Casstles opinion and statements, and suggested that enquires be made at once, by the council, as to the expenses of such a scheme. Mr H. Dolling proposed both sewerage & water be tackled combined. And it was carried that the council act at once and find out particulars and expenses of such a combined scheme.
1934 Oct 08 A complaint was read from Mr. A. Waring & other tenants of Pretoria Terrace, to the effect of storage of water, and asking the Council to assist them in getting supplied. It was agreed that the Council would take action at once, hoping to supply them at the earliest possible date.
1935 Jul 08 The sole business of this meeting was to vote on the proposed Sewerage Scheme for the village of Castlethorpe, and the meeting was well attended by the ratepayers.
The chairman opened the meeting by reading the chief items & details of the Scheme, and on completion of these, asked for any questions, or views that would like to be considered, by any of the parishioners.
Mr H. Dolling asks if Mr Hidderley's Cottages [Windy Harbour] would be included in the scheme, should it be adopted. The chairman replied that owing to the distance of these Cottages, from the village, it was very doubtful of this being carrier out. Mr marsh then moved a recommendation in favour of the Cottages being included.
After a little discussion, into minor details of the scheme, the chairman then explained, as near as could be at present estimated, the cost to each household. The whole cost of the scheme being estimated at £4,300. Mr Marsh then strongly proposed that the scheme be adopted, as he considered it to be a fine thing for the parish, it would be most sanitary & good, and it was cheap. Mr Stone seconded the proposition and it was carried.
Mr Waring then proposed that voting should be taken, and on the advise of the Chairman, it was carried that this be done by ballot.
Four scrutineers were then decided on namely. Messrs J. Rawlinson, Mr P.Waring, Mr T. West & Mr Meecham.
It was found, on counting the Ballot Papers. There were 31 For. 14 Against, & 1 Blank Paper.
The chairman, declaring the adoption of the Scheme, thanked the parishioners and then termed the meeting closed.
1935 Sept 06 A discussion concerning Mr W. Markham's gateway and entrance, to his cowsheds & yard. It was decided that the clerk write to the County Council explaining, how the swilling down of yard, came over the present curb,& ran down the roadside to a drain opposite the Bungalow, causing smells, and a nuisance to the public. Also suggesting that a higher curb be placed at the entrance of the yard in question, to keep the swilling down in the yard & thus drain away through the proper source. This was agreed.
1936 Mar 16 Mr Dolling asked why the collection of the Sewerage Disposal could not be altered from Monday night to a night later in week, suggesting Thurs: or Friday. Everyone knew the inconvenience caused at the end of the week, particularly if one had visitors. Mr J. Gobbey said, that after taking various matters into consideration, Monday was considered most suitable. It was then agreed that a letter be sent to Mr B. Gobbey asking him to make the change if possible.
Then followed a number of enquiries regarding the water and sewerage scheme, but little information had been gained. The chairman explained as to the amount of water pumped when testing, being 50,000 gallons a day & very good pure water too. The sewerage scheme was held up, as Carters Jonas disagreed with position of Sewage Beds. It was denied that Castlethorpe was to have Malt Mill Lane linked up to them.
1936 Apr 22 Arising from the Assembly, this suggestion of changing the night of the Sanitary Disposal was considered. It was decided that the clerk write to Mr. B. Gobbey, asking him to consider Thursday or Friday night instead of the present Monday.
1938 Mar 15 Inquiries as to the Water & Sanitary Scheme. Asking why the night of collecting sewage was not changed, as asked for by the last annual meeting.
1938 Nov 09 After some discussion regarding the water scheme, the Council agreed they were dissatisfied with the time taken, as a supply in the village seemed a long way off yet. It was agreed the clerk write to the Ministry, with a feeling something should be done to bring about the supply within the near future. The R.D.C. appeared to be at a standstill, and as several new houses and property had been built on the strength of a water supply being available in reasonable time, the Council hoped their appeal to the Ministry would prove beneficial to the parish.
1940 Feb 12 Concerning Mains Water: The Council thought it advisable to enquire of the District Council, an idea of the cost, and who would be responsible for tapping the main, and piping up to Private Property, and who would have to meet the cost involved.
1940 Aug 15 Complaint regarding water supply: Mr. E. Richardson (District Councillor) then brought to the notice of the meeting, that Mr. Whiting was getting a supply of water of an unlimited amount through a supply tank, while other farmers in the village had had to adopt a meter, this was considered most unfair, and the Council and ratepayers strongly objected to anything of this nature going on and fully endorsed the action of the District Councillor in complaining to the Rural District Council.
1943 Sep 08 Failure of water supply during outbreak of fire: Councillors reported receipt of complaints concerning inability to secure use of the Council water during a recent outbreak of fire in a local rickyard, during those night hours when the supply of water had been cut off fro the village, in the interest of water saving. Mr White proposed and Mr Cowley seconded that the Clerk be instructed to write to the R.D.C. asking for assurance that, in case of future fires in the locality the local fire fighting service shall not be handicapped by similar failure to obtain immediate access to the R.D.C. water supply.
1943 Nov 08 Water supply in case of fire: Reply was received from R.D.C. that, to guard against water shortage, no assurance could be given that Council water supply would be immediately to hand, for use in case of outbreak of fire in the village. It was farther added that all possible would be done to effect co-operative improvement with local fire service.
1945 Aug 11 Filter Pool: The Council was pleased to place on record their pleasure in the prompt action in reply to their letter to the Sanitary Surveyor, Mr D. Lockwood, asking that the uncleanly condition of the Parish Filter Pool should receive immediate attention. Residents of the neighbourhood of the Pool report that there is no longer reason for complaint.
1946 Jun 17 A number of things came up for discussion, the sewage scheme being one of the first importance. Mr Markham enlightened the Council as to the position adding that the R.D.C. were doing all they could under the present difficulties and restrictions, they were also taking steps to have plans, etc. ready, for the time when the Government could give the word go. Mr Markham added that Castlethorpe were included in the scheme for a number of and he thought the earliest possible time to have the scheme in operation would take three years.
1946 Jul 01 A very sore point just now with the parish was the time at which the sewage cart came round, could it not be collected towards dusk or late evening.
1946 Jul 29 Still being somewhat unsatisfactory and in view of the fact that blackout etc. had long ceased, it was agreed that the clerk write to the Sanitary Surveyor Mr Lockwood, stressing the need for night collection in the parish.
1946 Oct 21 Once more the question of sewage was discussed and the Chairman proposed that Castlethorpe revert back to old way of collection, owing to the unsatisfactory way of collecting at the present time. This was agreed and the Clerk instructed to write the Surveyor, Mr Lockwood.
1947 Feb 24 The Council had been informed of instances where recently, people had been missed by the sewage collectors. By bring this to the notice of the R.D.C. it was hoped to avoid any further complaints.
1947 Mar 31 Although a good deal of correspondence and negotiations with the R.D.C., had gone on during the twelve months, it was realised that little or nothing could be done to alter the present Scheme of collection. One big reason was that difficulties were evident in finding men to do the work in daytime, apart from the hope of a night collection.
1950 May 25 A number of complaints had been reaching the Council regarding the Sewage disposal. The men were remaining in very closed places while having the machinery running, and it was proving most unpleasant and unhealthy. Also, there appeared to be little or none of the disinfecting powder used. The clerk was instructed to write to the R.D.C. asking for improvements.