London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Bethnal Green 1956

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Bethnal Green Borough]

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SECTION B
SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE BOROUGH
Water Supply
Water for domestic purposes in the Borough is obtained in all
cases from the Metropolitan Water Board.
Bacteriological and chemical examination of the water is carried
out at frequent intervals by the Metropolitan Water Board.
Notices were sent to the Board in 210 cases where wastage of
water due to defective pipes or fittings was observed.
During the year one new premises was certified as having a
proper and sufficient water supply in accordance with Section 95
of the Public Health (London) Act, 1936.
In addition to the supply from the Metropolitan Water Board,
there are five wells used for purposes other than drinking. These
are
Attached to Council's Public Baths 1
Attached to a hospital 1
Supplementary supply for industrial purposes 3
Sanitary Inspection of the Borough
The Borough was divided into five public health inspectors'
districts and Table 2, which follows, gives a summary of the work
of the inspectors. The major portion of the work was concerned with
insanitary conditions.
Following the 2,630 complaints of insanitary conditions, defects
were found requiring the service of Intimation Notices in 1,700
cases. Of these Statutory Notices were required in 658 instances
and legal proceedings were instituted in 65 cases. In addition, 16
notices in accordance with the London County Council (General Powers)
Act, 1955, three under Section 26 and thirteen under Section 27, were
served. In twelve of these sixteen cases the necessary work was
carried out by the Council and the expenses incurred recovered from
the owners of the properties.
In connection with the supervision of drainage works a total of
2,403 inspections were made during the year. 57 notices in accordance
with Section 25 of the London County Council (General Powers)
Act, 1955, were served and in sixteen instances the necessary work
was carried out by the Council and the expenses incurred recovered
from the owners of the properties.