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The water used for swimming is taken from the Metropolitan
Water Board's supply at the commencement of the bathing season, and
throughout the season it is treated by a continuous filtration system.
The filtration process consists of drawing water from the
deep end of the pool through a suitable strainer and, after the addition
of coagulants to flocculate organic matter and to obtain efficient
filtration, the water is pumped to the top of four Vertical Air-Scoured
Pressure Filters. The water, before filtration, is sterilised; this
is done by introducing chlorinated water into the circulating flow from
"Wallace & Tiernan" Automatic Residual Chlorine Control equipment, with
hydraulic solution feeder for automatic pH Control. This gives an
accurate method of controlling the dosage. The chlorinator automatically
injects water chlorinated to the correct strength and at the same time
adjusts the doses to suit varying bathing loads. The amount of chlorination
provided operates on the principle of "breakpoint chlorination"
and is recorded on a chart from which the degree of sterilisation of
the water is known at any time during the swimming season.
The filter units consist of vertical closed cylinders containing
special non-Friable Leighton Buzzard Sand, supported on a bed
of graded granite chippings, through which the water passes at a rate
of 230 gallons per square foot of filter area per hour. The sand has
to be washed regularly - this is done by steam and air agitation and
reversing the flow of water, which runs to waste and carries impurities
with it. Water taken from the pools is used for the washing process.
The filtered water is then aerated, thereby assisting in the
maintenance of bacteriological purity. It is then heated by calorifiers
to about 75°F. It re-enters the swimming pools through suitable
inlets at the shallow ends, and scum troughs are provided on the sides
of the pools which draw off any pollution which may accumulate near the
surface, together with any dust which settles thereon.
The equipment has been designed to give a turnover period up
to 3½ hours. By this means, quick purification of water is obtained
and is particularly beneficial during peak periods.
The whole of the equipment is designed to comply with the
latest recommendations of the Ministry of Health for indoor swimming
pools.
Samples of water in the pools are taken from time to time,
and during 1963 the results obtained were well within the bacteriological
standards recommended by the Ministry of Health. The residual
chlorine similarly was maintained within the concentration
advocated.
PUBLIC MORTUARY
For many years the Council maintained a public mortuary at
No.la, Hornton Place, W.8. In 1958 the Council closed their premises
and made an arrangement with the Hammersmith Borough Council that all
Kensington cases should be accommodated in the Hammersmith mortuary,
at 77, Fulham Palace Road, W.6. The agreement provides that an annual
payment of £500 shall be made for this service. Details regarding the
number of Kensington cases admitted during 1963 to the Hammersmith
mortuary in accordance with the agreement are as follows
By Order of Coroner 458 (125 inquests)
On application of Undertaker 2
Total 467