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23
Pigeon Control
Section 74 of the Public Health Act, 1961 empowers the City Council to take any steps necessary to
reduce the number of pigeons for the purpose of mitigating any nuisance, annoyance or damage caused by
their congregation in a built-up area.
Where pigeons congregate at feeding or roosting sites much fouling of the adjacent buildings or other
surfaces is caused by their droppings. At their nesting sites the fouling is more concentrated which, apart
from being unsightly, encourages insect infestation. Although perhaps well-intentioned, indiscriminate and
regular feeding of pigeons by members of the public results in concentrations which give rise to complaint,
and is one of the most important factors which militate against effective control. There is unfortunately no
legislation which can be used to prevent the indiscriminate feeding of birds.
Investigation of complaints is carried out by public health inspectors and the pest control staff who,
depending upon the circumstances of the complaint, either take action themselves or advise the occupier
of the premises as to the remedial measures to be taken including where necessary the use of repellents and
the employment of suitable commercial pest control organisations in appropriate cases.
During the year 30 (43) complaints were investigated.
Water
The chief source of a constant water supply throughout the City is from the mains of the Metropolitan
Water Board whose Director of Water Examination has kindly provided the following information which, it
should be noted, relates to the Board's direct supply to the area and not to supplies from any other sources—
"1. (a) The supply was satisfactory both as to (i) quality, and (ii) quantity throughout 1972.
(b) All new and repaired mains are disinfected with chlorine; after a predetermined period of
contact the pipes are flushed out and refilled; samples of water are then collected from these
treated mains; and the mains are returned to service only after the analytical results are found
to be satisfactory. The quality control from these laboratories is carried out by means of daily
sampling from sources of supply, from the treatment works or well stations, from the
distribution system, and through to the consumer. Any sign of contamination or any other
abnormality is immediately investigated.
(c) (i) The Board has no record of the number of structurally separate dwellings supplied in your
area, but the population supplied direct according to the Registrar General's estimates at 30
June, 1972, was 229,832.
(ii) No houses were permanently supplied by standpipe.
(d) No artificial fluoride is being added, and where the fluoride content is indicated in the analyses
it represents the naturally occuring fluoride in the water.
2. (a) The supply was derived from the following works and pumping stations:—
River Thames — derived water from Thames Valley group stations.
New River — derived water from Stoke Newington Works.
No new sources of supply were instituted and there were no changes to the general scheme of
supply in your area.
The number of samples collected and the bacteriological and chemical analyses of the supply
from the above sources after treatment are shown in Tables 16 and 17, pages 67 and 68.
(b) On account of their hardness content and alkaline reaction the Board's river and well water
supplies are shown to be not plumbo-solvent. It should however, be appreciated that all types
of water pick up varying amounts of metal from the material of water piping particularly when
it is newly installed; this applies to copper, zinc, iron and also to lead."
In the event of any suspicion of contaminated public mains water, the Metropolitan Water Board is
informed and investigations are made; if necessary, samples are taken for examination. Complaints (which
are extremely few) have usually referred to some alleged unusual taste.