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RATS AND MICE
The department employes four Rodent Operatives.
Approximately 3,000 premises are inspected annually specifically to check for infestation of
rats and mice. The inspections are made principally as a result of information received from
occupiers of premises. About one third of the premises are found to be infested by rats and
currently about one sixth by mice. The number of premises infested by mice has shown an
increase in the last year or so and recourse has had to be made to rodenticides other than Warfarin
for control measures. Major infestations are rare. In the majority of cases control treatments for
rats and mice are carried out by the department's Rodent Operators.
The services of a local contractor are used by a number of industrial firms in the Borough and a
contractor is also employed by the British Railways to whom complaints on railway property are
referred.
Attention to sewers and tips is given as necessary. Treatments to private tips are usually carried
out by an employee or contractor. Inspections are carried out as routine.
When premises are demolished for redevelopment or otherwise, attention is given to the
removal or proper filling in of abandoned drains in addition to any disconnection from the sewer.
WATER SUPPLY
The water supply in the Borough is provided by the Metropolitan Water Board. The Board
obtains its water from a number of sources including the Rivers Thames and Lee and also more
than thirty wells in and around the Greater London Area, including wells in Bexley and Crayford.
Due to the complexity of the supply system, the water supplied to the London Borough of
Bexley is a mixture derived from a number of sources. All necessary treatment, e.g. storage,
filtration, chlorination, to render the water safe and wholesome is undertaken by the Board before
the water enters the supply system and the Board makes frequent and regular laboratory examinations
of the water in its mains. The Health & Welfare Department takes regular samples of the
mains water supply from houses and other premises in the Borough. These are in general submitted
to bacteriological examination only, although chemical examination is made if indicated.

The three unsatisfactory results were all from a well in a large industrial firm which was subject
to contamination by flooding during September 1968. The well supplies both process water and
drinking water, and was not given bacteriological clearance for several weeks. An alternative
mains supply is available and was used during that period.
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