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
Sutton and Cheam 1948
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Sutton and Cheam]
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SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE AREA
WATER SUPPLY, The water supply is mainly derived from the deep
wells in the chalk of the Sutton District Water Company, situated at
Sutton, Cheam and Woodmansterne, A small area in the North Ward is
supplied by the Metropolitan "Water Board,
The water from all wells of the Sutton District Water
Company is softened to 9 degress of hardness. Chlorine is applied
in the form of chloramine as a protective measure. Samples of the
raw and treated waters are examined daily by the Company's chomist
and bacteriologist in the laboratory at the Sutton works. Samples
are also examined at monthly intervals by the Company's Consultant
Analyst, and monthly samples are examined in rotation by the District
Councils in the area of supply.
The supply from all sources has been satisfactory in quality
and quantity. All the dwelling houses have a direct supply from the
public mains.
Below is the average of monthly analyses.
| CHEMICAL RESULTS IN PARTS PER 100,000 | AVERAGE |
|---|---|
| Total solid residue dried at 180° c. | 18.46 |
| Ammonia, free | 0.0111 |
| Ammonia, Albuminoid | 0 |
| Nitrogen in Nitrates | 0.766 |
| Nitrogen in Nitrites | 0 |
| Oxygen absorbed in 4 hours at 27° C. | 0.0038 |
| Chlorine in Chlorides | 1.792 |
| Hardness total (grains per gallon) | 7.58 |
| BACTERIOLOGICAL RESULTS | |
| No. of Bacteria growing on Agar per c.c. for 3 days at 20° C. | 1.5 |
| No. of bacteria growing on Agar per c.c. for 1 day at 37° C. | 0 |
| Presence of Bacillus Coli in 100 c.c. | 0 |
DRAINAGE AND SEWERAGE, Owing to the restrictions imposed by war
conditions, no major reconstruction work or new constructions have
been carried out, either at the Sewage Works or in connection with
the main drainage system, A scheme for the major reconstruction
of the Worcester Park Sewage Works is in course of preparation,
REFUSE COLLECTION AND SCAVENGING. The colloction and disposal of
house refuse and salvage, together with the scavenging of publio
highways, is carried out under the supervision of the Borough Engineer
and Surveyor, The work has been executed in a satisfactory manner,
RIVERS AND STREAMS. The streams within the Borough have been
maintained in a satisfactory condition,
CLOSET ACCOMMODATION. There are 9 premises with cesspools in use.
Some 6 pail closets and 1 privy are in use.
In the past twenty years 158 premises, originally with cesspool
drainage, have been oonneoted to sewers.
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