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During the following years the increasing use of smokeless
fuel, gas and electricity both by industrial undertakings and
domestic users has resulted in a considerable improvement in
the purity of the atmosphere.
Owing to the fuel situation following the second world
war, some difficulty has been experienced in preventing smoke
nuisances in view of the inferior quality of the fuel available,
but the provision of modern furnace equipment and proper
methods of stoking have done much to offset this.
In 1951 only 11 complaints were received of nuisances
caused by the emission of smoke, grit, etc., and the district
sanitary inspectors kept 49 observations. Two intimation
notices were served in respect of smoke nuisances. This compares
with 282 notices served for a similar reason in 1922.
Bombed Sites and Static Water Tanks.
These sites and tanks continued to give rise to complaints
of nuisances from the deposit of refuse and accumulation of
stagnant water, particularly during the summer months.
In July 1951, the Public Health Committee requested the
Medical Officer of Health to submit a report on the static water
tanks in the Borough. An inspection of the 49 tanks in the
Borough revealed that in only three cases was there any offensive
matter deposited in the tanks and steps were taken to secure the
removal of this refuse. Twelve tanks contained an accumulation
of water and the London Fire Brigade were requested to arrange
for this to be pumped out. Further inspections were made of
all these tanks at a later date and in only one instance was
action necessary to abate a public health nuisance.
The chief cause of complaint is the accumulation of rain
water which in time becomes stagnant and gives rise to smell
and the breeding of mosquitoes. The London Fire Brigade are
most co-operative and always arrange for the water to be pumped
out when requested. It is not possible, however, for all the
water to be removed by their appliances, but the residue is
usually treated with bleach powder to destroy any insect life.
It is sometimes found when the water is removed that the
brick rubble, old iron, etc., which many of these tanks contain,
are covered with an evil smelling slime and the only way to
abate the nuisance is for the tank to be completely cleared.
Pig Keeping.
Regulation 62B of the Defence (General) Regulations,
1939, suspended restrictions on the keeping of pigs, hens and
rabbits by tenants and occupiers of land. This Regulation was