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25
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
year.

The water used for these baiths is supplied by the Metropolitan
Water Board anid is sterilised by the breakpoint chlorination method,
sodium carbonate and sodium metaphosphate being used to control
acidity aind 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 8 persons, at a net cost to the Council of £23.
National Assistance Act, 1948—section 47
Possible cases were investigated during the year and in none of
them was it necessary to apply for a compulsory order. (See also the
section on the Care of the Elderly).
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 159 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.
There were no new sources of supply instituted by the Board
during 1962 nor were there any important extensions of trunk mains,
but 1,193 yards of smaller mains were laid in the Borough for local supply
purposes.
Tables 18 and 19 give the average results of the chemical and
bacteriological analyses of the various supplies for 1962.