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(38)
DRAINAGE OF NEW BUILDINGS & RECONSTRUCTION OF DRAINAGE
During the year 56 applications and deposit of plans for approval of
drainage works were received and approved. Of these 29 were in connection
with additions to existing buildings or the provision of additional sanitary
accommodation; 8 were for the reconstruction of existing drainage
systems; 7 were in connection with the rebuilding of premises demolished as
a result of enemy action, and 12 were for the erection of new buildings.
The introduction of the use of the simplified one pipe system of sanitary
plumbing in the blocks of flats erected by the Council has so far
proved satisfactory, whilst effecting a considerable saving in cost. The
use of this system has been watched with great interest by technical
officers of many other housing authorities and will continue to be studied
closely by officers of this department in collaboration with the technical
officers of the department of the Director of Housing and Public Buildings.
PREVENTION OF DAMAGE BY PESTS ACT. 1949.
The Council's Rodent Repression Service maintained its campaign
against rodents during the year.
The number of notifications received by the department, of the existence
of rat or mice infestations during the year, totalled 654., a
reduction of 149 on the figure for last year. This fact is indicative
of a decrease in the number of surface infestations, as it is felt that
the public are fully aware of their responsibilities in reporting the
presence of rodents. In addition to those premises from which notifications
were received, 110 other premises were inspected by the Rodent
Operators.
Investigation of complaints and visits for subsequent treatment of
premises found to be infested necessitated 7,802 visits by the staff.
Mice infestations were only slightly more than rat infestations, the
figures being 355 and 329 respectively. A total of 52 business premises
were treated for infestations, 40 for rats and 12 for mice.
During the year a number of defective outlet drains were discovered
as a direct result of investigations of rat infestations and these were
repaired and the cost of so doing was met by the owners of the premises
concerned. In accordance with the requirements of the Ministry of
Agriculture and Fisheries, and with the co-operation of the Borough
Surveyor, two treatments of the public sewers were carried out during the
year. Comparison of the bait takes during these treatments with the
treatments last year indicate that the rat population of the sewers is
apparently being held in check.