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to conform to Amateur Swimming Association competition rules. This meant that for the duration
of the gala no treated water was admitted to the bath used for the competitions or to the adjacent
smaller bath, the supply to which is controlled by the same plant. Unfortunately continuous flow and
the effect of a freshly chlorinated supply had not been fully restored at the time of sampling the next
morning.
In both these cases immediate steps were taken to prevent the possibility of a recurrence of similar
conditions.
Drainage
Drainage works within the City, other than sewerage, relating both to new and existing buildings,
are under the control and supervision of the Health Department. A specialist team of public health
inspectors deals with all new developments, and with adaptations and alterations relating groups of
buildings forming one unit of construction. Alterations to drainage systems in existing single premises
are supervised by district public health inspectors.
Close liaison is maintained with the City Engineer, who is responsible for sewerage in relation
to all new sewer connections, levels of outfalls and openings into the Council's sewers.
Liaison is also maintained in all major works with the Director of Cleansing in regard to refuse
storage facilities and means of access for removal of house and trade refuse.
At the time of consideration of plans deposited for the examination of drainage proposals, all aspects
of Health and Housing legislation are taken into account, together with requirements of the Offices,
Shops and Railway Premises Act, in order to ensure that an approved plan agreed by the Department
will meet, as far as can be foreseen, legislation other than that affecting drainage only.
Of 1,023 drainage plans approved during the year, 48 related to new buildings started between
1st April and 31st December, 1965. A total of 10,738 visits were made in connection with drainage
matters and new developments but no circumstances were found which necessitated legal proceedings.
Sewerage
The City Council's sewers, which discharge into the trunk sewers of the Greater London Council,
are controlled and maintained by the City Engineer. All premises in Westminster are connected to
the main drainage system, the sewage passing to disposal works maintained by the Greater London
Council outside the area of the City. Although on occasions of exceptionally long and heavy rainfall
the trunk sewers at some points have been unable to accept the discharge of the City Council's sewers,
in general, the arrangements for Westminster appear to be adequate. Flood levels reached at times
of peak discharge are notified to the City Council, and are taken into account when development
plans, etc. are received from Architects or others.
Rodent Control
A staff of eight operatives, who work under an incentive bonus scheme and deal with both rodent
and pigeon control, are based on two centres, 313/319 Harrow Road for the northern half of the City,
and Brydges Place, Covent Garden, for the southern half.
Primary and follow-up visits are made in respect of complaints of rat and mouse infestation in
domestic and business premises. Service is provided free in domestic premises. For work carried out
in business premises a charge is made. Normally only short term treatment is undertaken in these
latter premises and firms are advised to arrange for regular treatment on a long term basis by a
commercial pest control organization.
Recently the overall situation regarding rats has improved slightly but infestations of mice have
increased, particularly in houses in multiple occupation in the northern area of Paddington. In such
cases, to ensure complete clearance may require visits to all the lettings in the house, with all the
attendant difficulties of access.
Statistics regarding rodent control are given in Table 13, page 58.
Pigeons
Section 74 of the Public Health Act, 1961, empowers the City Council to take any steps necessary
for the purpose of mitigating any nuisance, annoyance or damage caused by the congregation of
pigeons in a built up area.
It is known that pigeons can be vectors of diseases affecting mankind, although there is no evidence
that any outbreak of disease in the City has been due to this cause. There is however, ample evidence
of the nuisance they cause through fouling, defacement and damage. Where they congregate in flocks,
their droppings, apart from being unsightly, produce stench and fly nuisance, and walls and roofs