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80
" The average hardness of the Kent water during the past
two years has been about one part higher than before, but this is
owing to the recent inclusion of a few samples derived from the
Plumstead Well, which always yields water of a very considerable
degree of hardness."
The water supply of the houses in this district has received
considerable attention. Two hundred and one Certificates have
been granted in accordance with Section 48 of the Public Health
(London) Act, 1891. This Section states that a newly-erected
house shall not be occupied as a dwelling house until the Sanitary
Authority have certified that it has a proper and sufficient supply
of water, and in one case it was found that two houses had been
occupied, one for 30 days, and the other for five days before
application was made for the Certificate, and as this was after a
warning in similar cases, it was decided to take proceedings before
a Magistrate. A fine was imposed in each case. Forty-eight water
supplies have been reinstated where it had been cut off through
defective fittings. Eighty-eight water services have been altered,
so as to draw direct from the main, whilst other matters relating
to the water supply to the number of 453 cases have received
attention.
Housing of the Working Classes. No special action
has been taken under these Acts during the year, as the constant
aim of the Committee is to ensure that owners of property keep
it in such a satisfactory state of repair that it will not need
special attention under these Acts. Overcrowding has been dealt
with on 9 occasions, leaking house roofs and gutters have been
repaired on 486 premises, whilst 116 premises have been cleansed
throughout and 232 partially; nuisances from dampness have