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24
SECTION C
SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES
Water:
Apart from 3 business premises which obtain certain supplies
from deep wells, the whole of the borough is supplied with water
by the Metropolitan Water Board. Regular examinations of water
are therefore considered to be unnecessary.
In many houses and block dwellings supplies of drinking
water are obtained from storage tanks and inspections of these
are made, usually following complaint, to ascertain their condition
and, if necessary enforce cleansing and adequate covering of the
tanks in accordance with the Council's Bye-Laws. Pour samples of
water were taken during 1959 for chemical or bacteriological
examination. Three of these samples were found to be satisfactory,
and one unsatisfactory. The latter was taken as a result of a
complaint of rusty water coming from a tap which has been unused
for a long time, and it was found to be due to a dirty tank.
This tank was otherwise only used to feed a W.C. cistern, and was
cleansed and the tap disconnected, a main supply being readily
available.
Action was required to be taken by the department in 12
instances following the withdrawal of the water supply by the
Metropolitan Water Board or as the result of defects caused to
the supply pipes by frost. In each case the supply was restored.
Swimming Baths:
Two establishments are maintained by the Council, one in
Merlin Street and the other in Ironmonger Row. Both are of modern
construction, and in addition to an indoor swimming pool, slipper
baths and facilities for washing clothes are provided. The Ironmonger
Row establishment also possesses a Turkish Bath and a
special Children's Pool.
An indoor Swimming Pool is also open to the public at the
Northampton College during the summer months.
The water at these swimming baths is chlorinated and samples
were submitted to chemical and bacteriological control on 14
occasions during the year, and were found to be satisfactory.
Advice was however given in one case on improvements in the
methods of purification employed.