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Water.
1. Water for drinking and commercial purposes in this area is supplied by the Metro-
politan 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.
Drainage.
During the year 3,424 inspections were made by the Sanitary Inspectors in connection
with drainage work; 97 applications for approval of proposed drainage work were
submitted together with the necessary plans, and 96 Combined Drainage Orders were
made.
Smoke Abatement.
During the year 11 complaints were received regarding smoke nuisances and 171
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 two cases it was found necessary to serve Notices 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 tracing offendersSites
treated by Council, e.g., bedding removed 19
Sites cleared as a result of the service of notices under
the Public Health (London) Act, 1936 4
War-Time Reservoirs for Emergency Water Supplies.
The war-time reservoirs for emergency water supplies were kept under observation
throughout the summer months, with a view to the prevention of nuisance, and in particular
to prevent the breeding of insects. Where necessary, arrangements were made for
accumulations of water to be pumped out by the London Fire Brigade. It is pleasing to
note that with the increase in rebuilding a number of these potential sources of nuisance
have disappeared.
Pharmacy and Poisons Act, 1933.
This Act and the Poisons Rules, 1949, regulate the sale of poisons, and every local
authority is required to keep a list of persons who are entitled to sell poisons included in
Part II of the Poisons List.
During the year 1951, 34 applications were received for retention on this Council's
list. Two applications were received for entry on the list and one for removal.