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74
standard of cleanliness and purity of water in all swimming baths and
pools open to the public, whether owned by the local authority or by
private persons.
Efficient filtration and sterilization plants are installed at the City
Council's three baths, sterilization being carried out by the chlorine and
chloramine (chlorine-ammonia) methods. Periodical tests made of the
water in the pools during the year indicated that a high degree of purity
was being maintained.
There are twelve other pools in the City which are privately owned,
but with the exception of two in Turkish Bath establishments they are
not open to the general public. Seven are in clubs such as the Bath,
Royal Automobile Club, &c., two in large hotels, and one is attached to
a large private house. All are well maintained and under competent
supervision.
Two others are in course of construction, one in a club and the other
in connection with a large estate of high class flats.
Drainage and Sewerage.—During the year 1,087 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.
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.
The " one-pipe " system of drainage, now becoming almost universal
in large new buildings, has justified its period of trial. In no case has
it been reported to be unsatisfactory.
The supervision of drainage and consideration of plans submitted by
architects and builders continues to increase and to occupy a more and
more important place in the work of the department. The buildings in
Westminster are of so diverse a character in size and design as to make it
quite unique in the County of London. It is not merely a question of
the simple sanitary arrangements in a row of villas, but of large hotels
with fittings in each bedroom as well as in the bathrooms attached.
Swimming pools may also be provided. Methods of artificial ventilation
and air-conditioning have also to be considered. The special features of
cinemas and those of large office buildings, so far as they concern
environmental hygiene, raise special issues, while there are the new principles
of town planning in relation to site and user which cannot be dissociated
from public health.