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53
Public Swimming Baths.
The Council maintain four public swimming pools—three at
Latchmere Baths and one at Nine Elms Baths.
The source of water supply at the Latchmere Baths is from deep
wells. In the event of breakdown or any temporary cessation of supply
from the wells, the water is obtained from the mains of the Metropolitan
Water Board. The Nine Elms Baths are supplied from the Board's
mains. The Bath water is effectively chlorinated, and there is a tunover
or change of water in the Baths approximately every 3½ hours.
Samples of water from the swimming pools are taken at fortnightly
intervals and submitted for bacteriological examination. The results
have been consistently satisfactory.
Public Lavatory Accommodation.
Five public conveniences for both sexes and one for females only
are provided by the Council in various parts of the Borough, two
being underground. All the lavatory accommodation at each of the
conveniences is provided free, and, in the interests of public health, free
washing facilities are also available.
One public urinal is maintained, and in addition the urinals attached
to eight licensed premises are, by arrangement with the owners, available
to the general public.
Disinfection and Disinfestation.
Methods of Disinfection: Following the notification of a case of
infectious disease requiring disinfection, an inspection is made and the
following methods used. The patient's room is sprayed with a
formaldehyde solution. The doors and windows are closed and the
room can be used again after five or six hours. Advice is also given to
the occupier that a thorough "spring cleaning" of the room is a very
effective "disinfection" process, and should be carried out in addition
to the work of disinfection by the Council's staff.
Bedding and clothing are collected and steam-treated at the Station,
where the disinfection plant consists of two large steam disinfectors.
Sheets, pillow cases and hand towels are exposed to formalin vapour in
a special chamber prior to being washed in the adjoining laundry.
Books and other articles which cannot be steam disinfected are
also treated by exposure to a formalin vapour.
Disinfestation of Verminous Rooms : Articles in the room requiring
treatment are removed for steam disinfestation. The room is sprayed
with an insecticide containing Pybuthrin and Lindane/D.D.T., which
gives a prolonged residual effect. In the case of a heavy infestation,
architraves and mouldings are required to be eased for deeper pene-
tration of the insecticide.
Control of Insect Pests: The construction by the Council of large
block of flats containing covered ducts taking hot water, plumbing
and drainage pipes has raised a problem of insect infestation. These
ducts form an ideal harbourage for insects which would be difficult
to been with by normal hand spraying. A Microsol Mist Generator
has been purchased by the Council, and this fitting, having a small
motor unit, is capable of spraying a fine mist or fog of insecticide to
a distance of 50 feet, the mist settling out on to the surfaces of the duct
and the piping contained therein. This fitting is in use and is proving
very successful.