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WATER SUPPLY
The whole of the water for human consumption and domestic purposes
is supplied direct from the mains of the Metropolitan Water Board.
Excellent co-operation exists between the officers of the Board and those
of the Public Health Department. Any samples of water obtained on either
routine check or as a result of complaint are submitted to the Board who
carry out the necessary analysis and advise on the result. Two such
samples were submitted during the year and the result of the analysis in
both cases showed that the water was of satisfactory hygienic quality and
fit for human consumption.
Further valuable information is received from the Board prior to
the discontinuance of water supplies by reason of either defects in
service pipes or the non-payment of water rate, enabling the Public Health
Inspectors in many cases to provide for continuity of service, 15 such
cases were reported during the year. In addition, Ik supplies were
repaired, 2 water storage cisterns cleansed and provided with proper
covers, 1 tenement provided with independent supplies and 1 dwelling
provided with drinking water direct from the rising main.
PUBLIC BATHS
The Public Baths were opened in 1907 and comprise two swimming pools,
one 100' x 30' having a capacity of some 100,000 gallons of water, the second
pool is somewhat smaller 97' x 27' with a capacity of 90,000 gallons and,
in addition, there are 45 personal baths (27 for men and 18 for women).
Despite improvements the use of the personal baths is gradually declining.
This however is not unsatisfactory in that it reflects the number of
additional baths being provided in domestic premises.
The supply of water is obtained from a deep well situated beneath
the baths and the water used in the swimming pools is treated by
chlorination and continuous filtration. Twenty-six samples of water were
taken from baths, pools and sources of supply, for bacteriological
examination, all of which were reported upon as satisfactory.
Considerable works have been carried out in the past few years to
improve the facilities which are available at the Public Baths. These
include the dressing accommodation in the large pool, baths surrounds,
diving stage, pre-cleansing in the large pool and the modernisation of
chlorination plant to ensure the efficient sterilisation of water contained
in the swimming pools. The boiler plant has been Converted to oil firing
and new hot water calorifiers have been installed.
Constant endeavours are being made to modernise the existing facilities
and a comprehensive scheme is envisaged to provide for improvements to the
ladies personal baths including the adaptation of baths for the special use
of elderly persons, new changing accommodation in the small pool, and it is
hoped that in the near future the large pool may be floored over to provide
recreational space for youth activities.