London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Hammersmith 1965
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hammersmith Borough]
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Water Supply.
The water supplied by the Metropolitan Water Board during 1965 has been satisfactory
both in quantity and quality. It is derived from the Thames, stored in the Thames Valley Reservoirs,
and filtered and chlorinated at the Board's Surbiton, Hampton, and Ashford Common Works.
The average results of chemical and bacteriological analyses are set out below:
Chemical Examinations, all Thames derived,
(Milligrams per litre unless otherwise stated).
| No. of samples | 363 |
|---|---|
| Ammoniacal Nitrogen | 0.049 |
| Albuminoid Nitrogen | 0.091 |
| Nitrate Nitrogen | 4.3 |
| Chlorides as Chlorine | 41 |
| Oxygen abs. from Permanganate 4 hrs. at 27°C. | 1.20 |
| Turbidity (Units) | 0.1 |
| Colour (Burgess Units) | 15 |
| Hardness (Total) | 264 |
| Hardness (non-carbonate) | 68 |
| pH Value | 7.6 |
| Phosphate as PO4 | 1.9 |
| Silicate as Si02 | 10 |
| Sulphate as SO4 | 64 |
| Magnesium at Mg | 4 |
| Natural Fluoride as F | 0.25 |
| Surface Active Material as Manoxol O.T. | 0.10 |
| Electrical Conductivity (Micromhos) | 560 |
Bacteriological Examinations, all Thames derived,
| No. of samples | 3888 |
|---|---|
| Agar plate count per ml.: 20 - 24 hours at 37°C | 7.3 |
| Coliform count: Per cent. samples negative in 100 ml. | 99.92 |
| E. coli-count: Per cent. samples negative in 100 ml. | 100.0 |
No new sources of supply have been laid on during 1965, nor have there been any changes
in the general scheme of supply, nor any important extensions of trunk mains. Some 359 yards of
new domestic water main were, however, laid in the London Borough of Hammersmith during 1965.
The water is not plumbo-solvent, and its general quality on leaving the Board's works and
in the distribution system is constantly being examined for any traces of contamination. If such
are detected remedial procedures are carried out. In the case of new or repaired mains, these are
disinfected with chlorine, flushed out, and refilled; samples of water collected from these treated
mains are then tested, and the mains returned to service only after results are found to be satisfactory.
Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act, 1963.
For the first two months of the year, two inspectors were engaged full-time in administering
the Act. For the last two months of the year, one inspector was engaged full-time administering the
Act. For the rest of the year, due to staff difficulties within the department, one inspector was
engaged working part-time on the Act. In addition, inspections of food shops and hairdressers
were carried out by the District Public Health Inspectors in the normal course of their duties.
Prior to 1st August, 1965, only premises for which a Form OSRI had been received were
inspected. From August 1st, inspection was attempted of all premises whether a Form OSR.1. had
been received or not. It was not found possible to obtain 100% registration prior to 1st August,
and no prosecutions were taken for failure to register. Nevertheless, it is estimated that about
85% of premises in the borough where the Act applies have now been registered. Voluntary registration
of newly occupied premises falls short of a desirable standard. Something less than 10 %
are registered voluntarily, and it is apparent that a systematic inspection of the district will be
necessary from time to time to ensure that new premises and premises where there is a change of
occupier, are registered. The systematic inspection of the district began in 1965, during which a
number of factories were discovered and details were forwarded to the appropriate H.M. Factory
Inspector.
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