Water, Flooding, Drainage and Sewerage – Page 6

Sewage Disposal In Warminster

Victoria County History Of Wiltshire, Volume 8, page 132:

As with its predecessor, the first problem which faced the council [Warminster Urban District Council formed under the Local Government Act of 1894) was one of sewage disposal. There were still parts of the town not served by the system, including the Furlong and new houses at Imber Road, beside more outlying parts such as Woodcock and Hillwood Lane. At the Common some sewage still ran into the stream. There were also frequent complaints about smells from the sewage farm, and the government urged that the whole system should be reviewed. When this was done it was found that the farm was ill-arranged and too small. After much consideration it was decided to pump the sewage to a more suitable area. Smallbrook Mill was bought for the purpose, and a piece of sloping land north-east of Butler’s Coombe Farm was adopted as the new farm. The work of laying new sewers in areas not previously served was still going on in 1901.

Santo Crimp Consulted About Sewage Pumping In Warminster

Danny Howell writes:

Santo Crimp, C.E., was an eminent drainage engineer. He achieved certain fame, not to say notoriety, in Warminster, during the late 1880s, in connection with the suggestion proposed by Mr. W.F. Morgan (Chairman of the Warminster Urban District Council) that Warminster’s sewage be pumped to Beggar’s Bush (a field north of Woodcock and the railway), at Imber Road. Santo Crimp was also consulted by the Sanitary Committee of Bristol, in 1897, with regards a sewage disposal scheme for the city. He died in April 1901.

Warminster ~ Success For The Anti-Water Party

From The Wiltshire Times, Saturday 11th April 1885:

Warminster. Success For The Anti-Water Party.
The result of the Local Board election was an increase in the representation of the anti-water party, who are opposed to the suggested water supply scheme. The five elected were Dr. C. Alcock, the Rev. Sir J.E. Philipps, Bart., Mr. George Chambers, Mr. w. Frank Morgan (a member of the water party) and Mr. H. Ling. The anti-water party will now have a majority of four.

Heytesbury ~ Flood Water Disappeared

Wednesday 5th March 1884:

It was reported that the water which covered the meadows and footpaths at Heytesbury (see previous day’s entry) had disappeared.

Flooding At Norton Bavant

Tuesday 4th March 1884

The River Wylye at Norton Bavant overflowed its banks. The road near Norton Bavant Mill was completely covered, and was also very deep in several other places.

Flooding At Heytesbury

Tuesday 4th March 1884:

The meadows and footpaths near Heytesbury Mill and Heytesbury Railway Station were entirely covered with water, due to the River Wylye Valley overflowing its banks; a consequence of the heavy rain which fell on Monday (3 March) and Tuesday (4 March).

A Flood At Chitterne

The Warminster Herald, Saturday 17th February 1883, reported:

Owing to the incessant storms of rain Chitterne has been partially under water. In one or two houses the inmates have been confined to the upper stories, and on Wednesday the relieving officer, Mr Foulstone, had to wade from house to house in water more than knee deep. So great has the deluge of water been that the National Schools are closed in consequence, it being impossible for the children to obtain access to them.