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dealt with summarily under the [Public Health] Act," (Section 48), but also that the definition of
" Nuisances " (General) Section 2 (/) includes—
"Any such absence from premises of water fittings as is a nuisance by virtue of Section 33 of the
Metropolis vVater Act, 1971, set out in the first schedule to this the [Public Health] Act."
It is the duty of the Sanitary Authority by their officers to take proceedings for the abatement
of the " nuisance," not only in the case of a house being " without a proper and sufficient supply
of water," but also when it is due to the " absence from premises " of the " prescribed fittings,"
although the house may have a supply of water.
In the official year ended 30th March, 1907, I received notices from the Water Board (or their
officials, rather), that they had " been under the necessity of ceasing to supply water " to 374 houses ;
in all but a very few of these cases the water had been cut off for reasons other than non-payment
of the rate*; but in no case was notice received by me of the " necessity" having arisen for
cutting-off, until after disconnection and withdrawal of supply had been effected. In reporting
on this subject (No. 3, 1907), I observed that " it would be a more excellent way to forestall the
occurrence of nuisance ; and to that end the assistance of the inspecting staff would be gladly
devoted, much to the advantage of the Water Board. As it is, they are not put in motion until
after the Board, through the lawful (but inexpedient) action of their officials have created the
nuisance."
The report was referred to the Public Health Committee who, concurring with my views,
recommended—
" That representations be made to the Metropolitan Water Board urging the desirability of
their giving intimation beforehand to the local sanitary authorities of their intention to cut off
the water supply of any house or other building, so as to afford an opportunity to the sanitary
authority for the district of taking any steps which may be open to them to prevent a nuisance
arising from the action of the Board."
A courteous reply was received from the Board's Finance Committee intimating their regret
at finding it " impracticable to accede to the precise suggestion contained in the [Council's] letter,
in dealing with cases of" [withdrawal of supplies] and that they had " given instructions that,
wherever possible, the notice of disconnection is to be sent on the same day upon which the supply
is cut off to both the Clerk and the Medical Officer of Health of the Local Authority," and they
ventured to " express the hope that these arrangements will result satisfactorily to all parties concerned
"—as I think they have.
It may be mentioned that in the civil year 1907,1 received from the Metropolitan Water Board
notices of withdrawal of supplies to the number of 296, viz : in respect of empty houses, 236 ; on
account of a broken pipe, 18 ; waste of water, 16; non-payment of rate, 2 ; miscellaneous causes, 7 ;
no reason stated, 17.
No complaints were received during the year of deficiency in quantity or of defective quality of
the water supply for which the Water Board could be held responsible.
Public Health (London) Act, 1891, Provisions as to Water.—In accordance with the
instructions of the Public Health Committee, houses newly erected are now inspected before being
occupied, in order to effect being given to Section 48 (2) of the Act, which reads as follows:—
"A house which after the commencement of thi3 Act is newly erected, or is pulled down to or below
the ground floor and rebuilt, shall not be occupied as a dwelling house until the sanitary authority have
certified that it has a proper and sufficient supply of water, either from a water company or by some other
means."
Sixty houses were certified in 1907. Amongst other buildings certified, " Hornton Court,"
Kensington High Street, may be mentioned. It contains about fifty separately rated flats, which in
the eye of the law are " houses." There are two supplies from cisterns placed on the roof, each
" house" having a stop cock, by means of which the water can be turned on and off. The owners
make themselves responsible for the supply. I was in doubt whether in the circumstances one
certificate should be given for the " Court," or one in respect to each of the fifty " houses." The
Committee directed the issue of a single certificate in respect of the water supply at the premises,
such certificate to specify the numbers of the several houses in respect of which it had been given.
* No cause for cutting off was assigned in 153 cases; in 194 instances the houses were "apparently empty"; "broken
supply pipe" was the reason assigned for disconnection on 14 occasions, and "waste of water ' on 4. Nine premises were
coming down.