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23
Swimming baths
There are 4 public swimming baths in the borough, in addition to
a few club and school swimming baths. The public swimming baths are
shown in the table, together with the laboratory tests taken during the
vear.

The water used for these baths is supplied by the Metropolitan
Water Board and is sterilised by the breakpoint chlorination method,
sodium carbonate and sodium metaphosphate being used to control
acidity and to keep the pH above 7.2. Colorimetric tests for free chlorine
and pH value are also made at the baths at 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
on weekdays and at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Sundays, the results being
recorded on log sheets kept for the purpose. The aim is to achieve a
circulation of water every four hours, although it is rather more prolonged
than this at the openair baths.
National Assistance Act, 1948 — section 50
During the year the Council accepted responsibility for the burial
of 5 persons, at a net cost to the Council of £22.
National Assistance Act, 1948—section 47
Possible cases were investigated during the year and in one of
them it was necessary to apply for an order for compulsory removal.
This was granted.
Dog excreta nuisances
No proceedings were taken during the year, although complaints
were received of the condition of certain roads and paths. Where a
complaint is received it is the practice to exhibit a byelaw notice at
a convenient site nearby.
Drainage work
During the year 158 plans were submitted to the public health
inspectors for examination and approval.
Water supply
The Director of Water Examination of the Metropolitan Water
Board states that the water supply to the Borough is well water derived
from the Darenth, Deptford, Bexley and Wilmington wells together with
River Thames derived filtered' water. Bacteriological analyses are made
by the M.W.B. alt least five times a week and in the case of the River
Thames source the water is analysed at all stages of purification. None
of the supplies is plumbo-solvent. All new and repaired mains are
chlorinated before being restored to use and samples are collected for
analyses to establish that the quality of the water in them is up to the
standard normally supplied.
During 1961 a length of 155 yards of new 21-inch main was laid
in Lewisham for the improvement of the supply, and also 1,139 yards
of smaller mains for local supply purposes.
Tables 18 and 19 give the average results of the chemical and
bacteriological analyses of the various supplies for 1961.