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Water.
1. Water for drinking and commercial purposes in this area is supplied by the Metropolitan
Water Board and has been satisfactory both in quantity and quality.
2. There is a piped supply, and bacteriological examinations of the raw water are
made by the Metropolitan Water Board, who also perform chemical analysis.
3. The water is not known to have any plumbo-solvent action.
4. No action has been necessary in respect of contamination.
5. All dwelling houses have a piped supply, and standpipes are normally used only in
cases of emergency, such as repair of mains.
One certificate was issued under Section 95 of the Public Health (London) Act,
1936, certifying the provision of a proper and sufficient supply of water in respect of four
war damaged flats which had been rebuilt.
Two complaints were received during the year in relation to drinking water. In
each case it was found that the storage tanks had become dirty. These tanks were
cleansed and no further complaints were received. Nineteen premises were supplied with
a proper and sufficient water supply following the service of notices
Drainage.
During the year 3,239 inspections were made by the Sanitary Inspectors in connection
with drainage work; 87 applications for approval of proposed drainage work were
submitted together with the necessary plans, and 87 Combined Drainage Orders were
made.
Smoke Abatement.
During the year 10 complaints were received regarding smoke nuisances and 143
observations were made. In most cases, it was found that the nuisance was caused by unsatisfactory
stoking, and conditions were remedied following advice being given by the
District Sanitary Inspectors. In no case was it found necessary to serve a Notice under
the Public Health (London) Act, 1936.
Bombed Sites.
Accumulations of refuse on bombed sites present a considerable problem to local
authorities. In very few cases are the accumulations such as to warrant the service of
notice in respect of a "nuisance" and there is also the difficulty of assessing responsibility
for the accumulations. In 1949 the Council made a by-law governing fly tipping on
vacant sites in the Borough, but considerable difficulty is experienced in apprehending the
offenders. During the year the Public Health Committee arranged for warning notices to
be displayed on the sites most subject to nuisance.
Sites cleared by Council 9
Sites treated by Council, e.g., bedding removed 29
Approximate number of tons of refuse removed 80
Approximate cost of removal £200
Sites cleared as a result of the service of notices under
the Public Health (London) Act, 1936 6