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While the Borough is responsible for the local sewerage of its own district, the duty of the disposal
of sewage is the responsibility of Middlesex County Council. The West Middlesex Main Drainage
Undertaking has been in full operation since 1936. It serves an area, including the Borough, of 162
square miles, with a population (1951 census) of 1,340,000. There are 70 miles of main sewers, varying
in diameter from 2 feet to 13 feet. The sewage flow at the Mogden Works averages 85 million gallons
per day, though this mav reach as high as 250 million gallons per day in wet weather.
Rivers and Streams.—No complaint of pollution was made to the Health Department during
1954. A watch is kept on streams for evidence of breeding of mosquitoes.
The County Council has started systematic sampling of the River Brent at fixed points at monthly
intervals. Samples are also taken of surface waters which are suspected of causing pollution. The
Department co-operates in the tracing of possible sources of pollution and in seeking a remedy where
pollution is proved.
Closet Accommodation.—The closet accommodation of the Borough consists almost wholly of
water closets connected to the sewers. A few water closets drain to cesspools, and several houses on the
outskirts of the Borough have pail or chemical closets. The following works were carried out during
the year : —
Water closets constructed or rebuilt 7
Water closets provided in substitution for dry receptacles, etc. 2
Water closets where walls cleansed 9
Water closets fitted with new flushing apparatus 20
New pans or pedestals provided 24
Water closets repaired or improved 51
Water closets blockages unstopped 7
Other closets provided or repaired —
Water closets connected to sewer and cesspools abolished —
Urinals constructed, rebuilt or repaired 3
Public Cleansing.—The Borough Engineer has supplied the following notes on public
cleansing : —
(a) Refuse Collection and Disposal.
The collection and disposal of refuse during the past year has followed the same pattern as
formerly. Although the continued labour shortage has strained the organisation severely, it has been
possible by a flexible disposal of the forces available to maintain a weekly collection throughout 1954.
Credit in helping to make this possible must go in large measure to the regular collectors for the vigour
they have consistently displayed, particularly at times when absence from sickness or other causes has
reduced numbers and made it necessary for temporary staff unaccustomed to this class of work to be
employed.
The quantity of refuse collected from houses in 1954 approximates 31,200 tons. This was
collected from 30,554 premises and contained in 35,090 dustbins. Contrary to the practice adopted bv
some authorities, householders are not required to place their bins at the kerb, the bins being carried
bv the collectors from the rear of the premises and returned after1 having been emptied. The normal
strength of the service comprises 44 collectors working in seven gangs with 16 vehicles. Trade refuse
when in large quantities is collected independently.
While most householders are co-operative, they could render further useful assistance by
bearing in mind a few simple points and acting accordingly. Dry refuse only should be placed in bins.
Damp refuse should be burned, or, if this is not possible, it should be dried or well wrapped in paper
before placing in the bin. Not every house has the gate unlocked when the collector calls, and apart
from the man's wasted time, irritation is frequently caused by the resulting non-collection. I here are
occasions also when, for some unavoidable reason, the collection cannot be made on the usual day, and
householders become annoyed if their bins overflow as a result. The normal size bin, however, if used
only for dry refuse from a single household, will be found to be adequate for more than one weeks
supply. Above all, householders are strongly advised to purchase a good quality bin. Bins are subjected
to heavy usage, and it is more economical in the long run to obtain one that will stand up to this. There
is a standard specification for dustbins drawn up by the British Standards Institution, and purchasers
would do well to satisfy themselves that their bins are of that quality.

Refuse is disposed of by controlled tipping on land after gravel has been extracted therefrom.
In this way, many acres of old gravel workings are being brought into a condition that will enable t en
to be laid out as playing fields or used for other suitable purposes.
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