London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Southgate 1955
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Southgate]
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Water Supply.
The water supply of the district, which is almost entirely
supplied by the Metropolitan Water Board, remains satisfactory in
quality and quantity. The supply is from high-pressure mains.
All houses in the district are provided with a direct pipe supply,
the few wells which previously existed having now been discontinued.
It was not considered necessary to carry out any
bacteriological or chemical examination of drinking water during
the year. There is no evidence of any plumbo-solvent action in the
water.
Collection and Disposal of Refuse.
The Borough Engineer and Surveyor, who is responsible for
this service, reports that, in spite of an acute shortage of labour
towards the end of the year, a weekly collection service was maintained.
The tonnage of refuse dealt with at the Refuse Disposal
Works amounted to 19,471 tons.
The following table gives tonnage of salvaged materials sold during the year:
| Tons | Cwts. | Qrs. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper | 989 | 1 | 0 |
| Cullet | 2 | 18 | 3 |
| Metals | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| Rags | 26 | 17 | 2 |
| Carpets and Gunny | 23 | 9 | 3 |
| Tins | 740 | 10 | 1 |
| Bottles | 14 | 3 | 3 |
| Mixed Scrap Iron | 84 | 13 | 1 |
The value of this material amounted to £14,335 6s. 1d.
Waste Paper.
Waste paper is the material from which most of the income
is derived, and in this direction our efforts as a Council depend to
a great extent on the co-operation of the burgesses. Householders
are urged to keep clean waste paper and cardboard separate from
refuse. A sack will be supplied on application to the Borough
Engineer, and this will be emptied and returned by the Refuse
Collector on his weekly call.
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