River Torrens in flood near the Victoria Bridge. Taken from the north west.

As the western side of Adelaide was developed the problems associated with floods became more acute. The lack of an extensive system of mains sewerage meant that the contents of septic tanks and cesspools could be spread by floodwaters leading to a serious fear that there could be outbreaks of water borne diseases such as diphtheria and typhoid.

Following the flood of 1917 a flood mitigation bill was introduced to Parliament, however it lapsed over who should cover the costs of the plans.