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SECTION C
SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES
Water:
The borough is freely supplied with water from the Metropolitan Water
Board. As this supply is under continuous control no regular examinations
are made of it.
All the premises in the Borough have a piped supply of water but in
many houses and block dwellings supplies of drinking water, as well as
water to be used for other domestic purposes, are obtained from storage
tanks. Generally speaking it may be said that these tanks are in a satisfactory
condition, and are adequately covered.
The Metropolitan Water Board give regular information whenever
water supplies to any premises are withdrawn, either because the premises
have become vacant or because of defects causing waste of water or due to
unpaid rates. Investigations are made by the department and, where
necessary, action is taken to have the supply reinstated. In 1964 only
three instances occurred.
There are at present only 3 deep wells known not to be fully sealed
in the Borough. These are situate in the premises of
1. Royal London House, Finsbury Square.
2. City Gate House, Finsbury Square.
3. Bovril Ltd., Old Street.
The first two premises mentioned are partly in Crown occupation, and
samples of the water are periodically examined either by this department or
elsewhere on behalf of the Ministry of Works. That on the premises of
Bovril Ltd., is not in actual use.
During the year 10 samples were taken and examined bacteriologically
in the Department and two submitted for chemical analysis to the Public
Analyst. In addition, the Metropolitan Water Board examined 8 samples in
conjunction with the Department.
Swimming Baths:
(i) The Council maintains two establishments; one in Merlin Street
and one in Ironmonger Row, both of which provide, in addition to a large
indoor warmed swimming pool, slipper baths and facilities for the washing of
clothes. That in Ironmonger Row is particularly well equipped in every way,
and contains a Turkish Bath Section. There is also at this establishment, a
special childrens pool of limited dimensions and even depth. This pool is
not greatly used except at fortnightly intervals when a club, consisting of
members interested in helping spastics and cured cases of poliomyelitis,
helps them to recover some degree of movement, and to enjoy the freedom
possible for them in water. The pool is specially heated on these occasions,
and a very valuable service is rendered in this way. The water is circulated,
filtered and chlorinated.
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