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23
Pigeon Control
Section 74 of the Public Health Act, 1961 empowers the City Council to take any steps necessary
to reduce the number of pigeons, for the purpose of mitigating any nuisance, annoyance or damage
caused by the congregation of pigeons in a built-up area.
Where pigeons congregate at the feeding or roosting sites much fouling of the adjacent buildings
or other surfaces is caused by their droppings. At their nesting sites the fouling is more concentrated
which, apart from being unsightly, encourages insect infestation. Although perhaps well-intentioned,
indiscriminate and regular feeding of pigeons by members of the public results in concentrations
which give rise to complaint, and is one of the most important factors which militate against effective
control. There is no legislation applicable which prevents persons feeding birds.
The investigation of complaints is carried out by public health inspectors and the pest control staff
who, depending upon the circumstances of the complaint, arrange wherever possible for remedial
measures to be taken and give advice, where necessary, on the use of repellents, and other measures.
During the year 85 (108) complaints were investigated.
Water
The chief source of a constant water supply throughout the City is from the mains of the
Metropolitan Water Board whose Director of Water Examination has kindly provided the following
information which, it should be noted, relates to the Board's direct supply to the area and not to
supplies from any other source:—
1. (a) The supply was satisfactory both as to (i) quality, and (ii) quantity throughout 1970.
(b) All new and repaired mains are disinfected with chlorine; after a predetermined period
of contact the pipes are flushed out and refilled; samples of water are then collected
from these treated mains; and the mains are returned to service only after the analytical
results are found to be satisfactory.
The quality control from these laboratories is carried out by means of daily sampling
from sources of supply, from the treatment works or well stations from the distribution
system, and through to the consumer. Any sign of contamination or any other
abnormality is immediately investigated.
(c) (i) The Board has no record of the number of structurally separate dwellings supplied
in your area, but the population supplied direct according to the Registrar-General's
estimates at 30th June, 1970, was 230,886.
(ii) No houses were permanently supplied by standpipe.
(d) No artificial fluoride is being added, and where the fluoride content is indicated in the
analyses it represents the naturally occurring fluoride in the water.
2. (a) The supply was derived from the following works and pumping stations:—
River Thames derived water and New River derived water from Stoke Newington Works.
No new sources of supply were instituted and there were no changes to the general
scheme of supply in your area.
The number of samples collected and the bacteriological and chemical analyses of the
supply from the above sources after treatment are shown in Tables 16 and 17, pages
70 and 71.
(b) On account of their hardness content and alkaline reaction the Board's river and well
water supplies are shown to be not plumbo-solvent. It should, however, be appreciated
that all types of water pick up varying amounts of metal from the material of water
piping particularly when it is newly installed; this applies to copper, zinc, iron and also
to lead."
In the event of any suspicion of contaminated public mains water, the Metropolitan Water Board
is informed and investigations are made; if necessary, samples are taken for examination. Complaints
(which are extremely few) have usually referred to some alleged unusual taste.
In common with many of the London Borough Councils, the City Council is in favour of the
Metropolitan Water Board being asked to adjust the fluoride content of the public water supplies
to the optimum amount necessary to prevent dental caries.