London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
City of Westminster 1947
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Westminster, City of]
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23
the City area range in depth from 200 feet to 700 feet, water being obtained
from an average level of 150 feet to 250 feet.
Over a period of years there has been a gradual decline in the water
level in the chalk subsoil under London, and it is interesting to note from
data supplied by the Geological Survey that the water level in wells in
Trafalgar Square completed in 1844 was 68 feet below ground level. By
1911 this level had fallen to 195 feet below ground level, and in the
years since that date these wells were abandoned owing to drying-up.
One explanation of this falling in level is the increasing number of wells
which have been sunk within the period concerned, and by the increased
demand made upon this form of supply.
| Inspections for undermentioned reasons :— | |
| Complaint | 3,392 |
| Housing applications | 828 |
| Infectious disease | 337 |
| Routine | 351 |
| Housing Act and Regulations, etc | 717 |
| Requisitioned houses | 207 |
| Sanitary work in progress | 3,711 |
| Application for Building Licences | 1,218 |
| Empty properties (re requisitioning) | 2,131 |
| Total | 12,892 |
| Inspection for undermentioned reasons :— | |
| Complaint | 1,429 |
| Sanitary work in progress | 3,609 |
| Application for Building Licences | 374 |
| Factories, workshops, catering establishments, food premises, etc | 6,999 |
| Total | 12,411 |
| Dwellings. | |
| Intimation Notices | 1,620 |
| Statutory Orders | 152 |
| Food Premises. Catering establishments | 515 |
| Food shops | 190 |
| Factories, etc. Power | 68 |
| Non-power | 124 |
| Workplaces, shops, etc. | 104 |
As will be noted on page 26 only in 33 instances had orders of the Court
to be made to enforce compliance.