Westminster and Middlesex Commission of Sewers facts for kids
| Successor | Metropolitan Commission of Sewers |
|---|---|
| Dissolved | 1 January 1849 |
| Legal status | Statutory authority |
| Purpose | Public health, sewerage, drainage |
| Headquarters | 1 Greek Street (from 1811 |
| Location |
|
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Region served
|
City and Liberty of Westminster and Middlesex |
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Parent organization
|
Government of the United Kingdom |
The Westminster and Middlesex Commission of Sewers was an important group set up a long time ago in London. Its main job was to manage the city's drainage system, which included sewers and ditches. This helped keep the city clean and healthy, especially by preventing floods and dealing with waste water.
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What Was the Commission of Sewers?
A Commission of Sewers was like a special committee or group of people given the power to look after the waterways and drainage in a specific area. The Westminster and Middlesex Commission of Sewers was officially started in 1596. It was created under an older law called the Statute of Sewers from 1531. This law gave these commissions the authority to build, fix, and maintain sewers, ditches, and other things needed to drain water away from towns and farms.
Why Was It Important for London?
In the past, cities like London faced big problems with waste and dirty water. Without good drainage, streets could flood, and waste could build up, leading to diseases. The Commission played a key role in public health by making sure water could flow away properly. This helped make London a safer and cleaner place to live for its residents.
Where Did It Work?
The area this Commission looked after was the City and Liberty of Westminster and the county of Middlesex. These areas are now part of modern-day London. At first, the exact boundaries of its work area were set by special official documents called "letters patent." Later, in 1807, a new law (a statute) clearly defined where the Commission had authority.
How Did It End?
The Westminster and Middlesex Commission of Sewers continued its work for many years. However, as London grew, there was a need for a bigger, more organized system to manage the city's drainage. So, on January 1, 1849, this Commission was taken over by a new, larger group called the Metropolitan Commission of Sewers. The new commission even took over the old offices at 1 Greek Street. This change was a step towards creating the modern public health and drainage systems we have today.
Where Can We Find Its Records?
If you want to learn more about the work of the Westminster and Middlesex Commission of Sewers, its old records are kept safe at the London Metropolitan Archives. These records can tell us a lot about how London managed its water and waste hundreds of years ago.
