London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Merton and Morden 1946

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Merton & Morden]

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SECTION C. SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES.
Water Supply. The district is supplied by the Metropolitan
Water Board and by the Sutton District Water
Company. Their respective distributive areas are approximately
the parishes of Merton and Morden.
The supply of the Metropolitan Water Board is only
sampled infrequently as a routine, otherwise samples are taken
when circumstances indicate the necessity for local investiga
tion. The Board supplies copies of their official minutes in
which the results of their examinations are recorded.
Routine examinations of the Sutton District Water Company's
supply are undertaken by the Authorities in the supply
area upon an agreed rota, which provides for bacteriological
and chemical samples each month. The Company in addition
to the daily examinations undertaken by their own full-time
Chemist arrange for Consulting Chemists to undertake
monthly examinations. Copies of the reports of these Consulting
Chemists are received by local Medical Officers of
Health whilst the records of the Company's own analyses are
available for inspection by the Medical Officers.
The quality of the supply as shown by the sampling was
satisfactory.
There are three deep wells in the district, the supplies
from which are used mainly for industrial purposes. Drawn
from beneath the London clay, these well waters are of a
high degree of organic purity.
Drainage and Sewerage. No important extensions to
sewerage were carried out during the year.
Closet Accommodation. All premises have water closets
drained to sewers except four which are drained to cesspools.
In addition there are four chemical pail closets on Sports
Grounds.
Public Cleansing. The collection and disposal of house
refuse throughout the district is presenting much difficulty
because of the shortage of staff.

The salvage tonnage for the year under review was as follows:—

TonsTons
Paper241Bottles and Glass134
Metals81Rags16½
Pig Food902