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65
SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE AREA.
Water.— With the exception of certain premises which are supplied
with water from deep wells, the whole of Westminster takes its supply
from the Metropolitan Water Board.
Public Swimming Pools, Laundries, &c.—There are three establishments,
situated at Buckingham Palace Road, Great Smith Street, and
Marshall Street.
The numbers using the swimming pools and private baths in 1934
were:—
Buckingham Palace Road: 130,176 men; 75,669 women.
Great Smith Street: 145,726 men ; 61,981 women.
Marshall Street: 166,793 men ; 110,983 women.
The numbers relating to users of the public laundries were:—
Buckingham Palace Road, 26,999; Great Smith Street, 25.712; Marshall
Street, 11,689.
Bacteriological examinations of the water in the swimming pools
have been made at frequent intervals during the year. The results have
shown that the water in each swimming pool has been maintained at a
highly satisfactory standard of purity by means of the filtration and
purification plants.
Sterilisation of the water is carried out by means of chlorine gas.
Experiments were carried out at one of the establishments in the use of
ammonia in combination with chlorine as a sterilising agent, and although
these tests are proceeding, the results so far obtained indicate that the
ammonia-chlorine, or the chloramine method as it is known, has certain
advantages over chlorine alone.
Drainage and Sewerage.—During the year 935 plans of drainage and
other sanitary works relating to existing and new buildings were examined
and approved by the Committee. This is the highest number so far
recorded and is an indication, not only of the continued and increasing
activity in the building trade but also of the changes which are taking
place in the developments of building land, etc. Apart from the depression
year, 1931, there has been a steady increase in the number of plans submitted.
In 1924 there were only 602.
In addition to the works in respect of which plans were submitted,
many small alterations such as the diversion of pipes, replacement of
fittings, &c., were notified to the department and received supervision,
though in such cases plans were not necessary.