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26
Water Supply.
The major part of the water supply in Battersea, in common with
other Metropolitan Boroughs, is obtained from the mains of the Metropolitan
Water Board, who are responsible for its purity, and with whom
close liaison is maintained. One part of the Borough, however, namely
the Council's Latchmere Estate, is supplied from deep wells situated
at the Latchmere Baths adjoining the Estate.
Bacteriological examination of the well-water before chlorination,
and prior to its supply to the Estate, is carried out at fortnightly
intervals, and no significant change in its character has been noted for
a period of years.
During the year, officers of the Metropolitan Water Board, at
our invitation, came to Battersea to discuss the water supply to the
Latchmere Estate, and as a result, one or two comparatively minor
improvements were introduced.
In the event of a breakdown of the pumping apparatus serving the
Latchmere Estate, or any other contingency, the system can be adjusted
to receive water from the mains of the Metropolitan Water Board.
All the premises in the Borough have a mains water supply, and
it is not thought that any stand-pipes still exist.
During the year 23 certificates under Section 95 (2) of the Public
Health (London) Act, 1936, were issued in respect of 370 new or
re-erected dwellings.
Twenty-three notices of waste of water from defective fittings, etc.,
observed during routine inspections of various premises, were sent to
the Metropolitan Water Board.
Caravans.
All caravan sites in the Borough are licensed under the provisions
of the London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1959. After the
"Appointed Day" (1st October, 1960), an offence would be committed
by any person using, or knowingly allowing to be used, land for the
purpose of siting a moveable dwelling unless he holds a licence granted
by the Council. The conditions attaching to licences granted relate to
the number of moveable dwellings which may be kept on any particular
area of land ; the amount of free space between the dwellings; the provision
of a water supply, sanitary conveniences, adequate paving, dustbin
accommodation, fire protection arrangements and the prevention of
nuisance from noise.
The four sites in the Borough are regularly inspected, and during
the year 194 inspections were made.
Prevention of Damage by Pests Act, 1949.
This Act gives power generally to the Council to require steps to be
taken to eradicate infestation of rats and mice and where possible to
prevent infestations occurring. These duties are carried out by
Rodent Officer, assisted by two Rodent Operatives.
All infestations coming to light, whether by way of complaint or
otherwise, are systematically investigated, and the appropriate action
taken. Where the cause of the trouble is obviously defective drains