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64
contained B. Coli in 10cc. and other evidence of gross contamination.
It is therefore possible that this well had contaminated the first
mentioned, and to prevent possible surface contamination of the disused
well the large upper part of the shaft was filled with concrete.
The use of another well not far away has been abandoned as the
water was found to contain a high percentage of salts and was inorganically
impure.
The depth of the older wells, most of which are out of use, varies
from 250 feet to 400 feet. Those now in use vary from 450 feet to 700 feet
deep, though a few of the deeper wells do not even now give adequate
supplies and some have been abandoned.
Public Swimming Pools, Laundries, &c.—There are three municipal
establishments, situated at Buckingham Palace Road, Great Smith Street,
and Marshall Street.
The numbers using the swimming pools and private baths in 1938
were:—
Buckingham Palace Road: 114,129 men; 60,018 women.
Great Smith Street: 128,471 men; 47,797 women.
Marshall Street: 163,647 men; 88,451 women.
The numbers relating to users of the public laundries were:—
Buckingham Palace Road, 18,881; Great Smith Street, 17,137; Marshall
Street, 6,317.
Sterilization of Water in Public Swimming Pools and Baths.—Efficient
filtration and sterilization plants are installed at the City Council's
three establishments, sterilization being carried out by the chlorine and
chloramine (chlorine-ammonia) methods. Periodical tests were made of
the water in the pools during the year with satisfactory results.
There are fourteen 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. All are well maintained and under
competent supervision.
Drainage and Sewerage.—During the year 743 plans of drainage and
other sanitary works relating to existing and new buildings were examined
and approved by the Public Health Committee.