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21
Atmospheric Pollution.
During the year, 20 complaints were made alleging nuisances
from smoke, dust, grit, etc., emitted from premises in various parts
of the Borough. All these complaints receive careful and sometimes
prolonged investigation. In one case, a screen was erected
around a coal-storage ground of one of the bigger industrial plants,
on advice from the Department, to mitigate the dispersal of coal
dust, and to contain dust blown from the heap inside the screen
boundaries.
In addition to dealing with specific complaints, observations are
kept upon the chimneys of any industrial plant which merits observation
and the appropriate action taken.
A total number of 207 observations were made.
Two notices were served.
Offensive Trades.
There are two premises in the Borough at which scheduled offensive
trades are carried on. These businesses have been established
for many years and are satisfactorily conducted.
Water Supply.
During the year certificates under Section 95 (2) of the Public
Health (London) Act, 1936, were issued in respect of 294 new or
re-e rected dwelling houses or tenements.
Forty notices of waste of water from defective fittings, etc.,
o bser ved during routine inspections of various premises, were sent
to the Metropolitan Water Board.
The deep wells at the Latchmere Road Public Baths are again
functioning, supplying the Baths Establishment and the Council's
Latchmere Estate. Following the overhaul of the pumps and the
replacement of the storage tank, a series of samples taken of the
water supply proved consistently good. Check samples are taken of
the Water at fortnightly intervals, and submitted to the Public Health
Laboratory Service for analysis.
Application was made by a firm in the Borough to use artesianwell
w ater as a drinking supply for their staff. The necessary
chlorinating plant was installed, and the water analysed by the Public
Analyst with a satisfactory result. Arrangements have been made
for the firm to submit to me the results of chemical analyses and
bacteriological examinations of the water at regular stated times.
The re sults have proved consistently good.
Rag and Bone Dealers.
Premises occupied by rag and bone dealers in the Borough are
subjected to regular inspection. During the year 118 inspections
were made.
Two ca ses were reported by the Police of itinerant rag dealers,
who were exchanging toys for rags with children under the age of
15 years. This is an offence against Section 26 of the London County
Council (General Powers) Act, 1952. Both cases were dealt with by
cautionary letter, and the Medical Officer of Health in whose Borough
the rag dealers resided was informed of the action taken.