View report page

29
Comparison of Pollution (Measured by Deposit Gauge)
Ilford and Other Towns.
Monthly Averages of January, November and December, 1958:
Food Hygiene and Food Sampling.
The Public Health Inspectors continued their important work of
educating food handlers in the sound principles of hygiene. Lectures were
given with film strip exhibitions. The efficiency of this function is amply
demonstrated by the low incidence and falling rate of food poisoning in
llford over the past four years, namely, 1955—50, 1956—51, 1957—22,
1958—29 cases, since the passing of the Food and Drugs Act, 1955, and the
promulgation of the Regulations made thereunder.
No proceedings were instituted under the Food and Drugs Act though
warnings were given by the Council in twelve cases respecting adulterated
and unht foods. Summonses were issued in respect of three street traders
in food for 'smoking' whilst handling food. Convictions were obtained
in all cases.
Litter Act, 1958.
This new piece of ameliorative legislation endeavours to clean up the
pavements and countryside as the Clean Air Act attempts to purify the
atmosphere we breathe. Its success will depend greatly on public-awareness
of the need to tidy up our town. The Public Health Inspectors have been
appointed to administer this Act—hence every effort will be undertaken to
render the Act effective."
(i) Water Supply.—The district is served by the Metropolitan Water
Board and South Essex Waterworks Co., both maintaining a constant
supply. The subject of the water supply of the Borough was dealt with
at length in the Report for 1945.
Dr. E. Windle Taylor, Director of Water Examination of the Metropolitan
Water Board, has kindly supplied me with the following information.
"1,526 samples of filtered water were submitted to chemical and
bacteriological examination and found to be pure and wholesome.
Samples of the water at all stages of purification are submitted to
chemical and bacteriological examination daily in the Laboratories.
The part of Ilford in the area of the Board is supplied with water
derived from the River Lee, filtered and chlorinated at the Lee Bridge
works and Ferry Lane works and then pumped into supply. An additional
amount of water is supplied to the Ilford area from Ferry Lane and
Wanstead wells. Contact tanks are in operation at these works in which
the dose of chlorine is able to exert its full effect before the water
passes into the distribution system. During 1958 a total of 1,212 samples
were examined.