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103
EXTRACT from Report of the Public Health Committee oj the
London County Cauncil.
"WATER SUPPLY TO TENEMENT HOUSES.
"1. On 10th May, 1904 (p. 770), we brought to the notice of the
Council the report by the Medical Officer of Health, as to the result of
an enquiry by Dr. Young respecting the sanitary accommodation in
houses originally built for one family, but now let in separate tenements
to several families. One of the important facts disclosed in that report
was the inadequacy of the arrangements for the supply of water to the
tenants of the upper floors in such houses; there being in many, if not
most, of such houses but a single tap, and that in the basement or on the
ground floor.
"The supply of water to inhabited houses is regulated by the provision
of Sections 2 and 48 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891. Section
2 provides that, where there is a constant supply of water, absence from
premises of water fittings shall be a nuisance liable to be dealt with
summarily under the Act, and Section 48 (1) provides than 'an occupied
house without a proper and sufficient supply of water shall be a nuisance
liable to be dealt with summarily under this Act, and if it is a dwelling
house, shall be deemed unfit for human habitation.'
"We were doubtful whether these provisions were sufficient to
enable sanitary authorities to require a supply of water to the tenants of
each floor in tenement houses, and on 14th June, 1904 (pp. 971-2), the
Council decided to promote legislation on the subject, but its resolution
was subsequently rescinded on 6th December, 1904 (pp. 3012-3), as the
Parliamentary Committee reported that they were advised that it was by
no means clear that the present law was insufficient to meet the case,
and as we were endeavouring to get the matter tested at the instance of
one of the Metropolitan Borough Councils.
"We are now glad to report that on 16th December, 1904, as a
result of proceedings by the Woolwich Metropolitan Borough Council
respecting the water supply of a tenement house, No. 1, High Street,
Woolwich, the magistrate decided that the supply of water from a tap in
the yard was not a proper and sufficient supply within the meaning of
the section 48 of the Public Health (London) Act. 1891, and he made an
order to abate the nuisance, and ordered the defendant to pay £5 5s.
costs.