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SEWERAGE
The arrangement in the area for sewerage and sewage disposal are satisfactory. Following
a survey of the sewers by the Borough Engineer's Department using television cameras, many
were found to be in a defective condition. A planned programme of reconstruction of these
sewers is taking place.
SWIMMING BATHS
The water in the seven public swimming baths in the borough and in the bath at the
Council's Hornchurch children's home is sampled at monthly intervals by the Scientific
Department of the Greater London Council on this Council's behalf, A total of 99 samples were
taken during the year.
Two samples were found to be in an unsatisfactory condition, due to high free chlorine
content.
In addition 54 samples were taken from eight school swimming baths in the borough, 2
samples being unsatisfactory.
VACANT SITES
At the end of 1966, following a report considered by various committees of the Council,
it was decided that in view of the provisions existing in various acts of Parliament enabling
the Council to take action regarding derelict sites the problem could best be dealt with by
one committee and one chief officer. The Health Committee and Medical Officer of Health were
designated for the purpose. The problem was attacked vigorously during the year. Two
technical assistants acting under the direction of a public health inspector have the
responsibility among other duties to deal with this problem. Action is taken under the most
suitable legislation available for the purpose, whether the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act
1949 or the Civic Amenities Act 1967, or other means, not only to have the rubbish removed
from the site but also to have erected corrugated steel fences to enclose the site and so
prevent further misuses. Default powers are used and contractors employed to carry out the
necessary work. By the end of the year considerable improvement was evident throughout the
Borough, 68 sites being effectively cleared of refuse and fenced.
By the provisions of Section 23 of the Civic Amenities Act 1967, referred to above,
local authority may remove refuse deposited on any land after service of notice. The cost of
removing and disposing of the refuse may be recovered from any person who has abandoned the
refuse and who is convicted therefor under the Act.
VAGRANT METHYLATED SPIRIT DRINKERS
Residents of some parts of the borough, notably the Spitalfields area, have for some
time, had their senses, moral and material, hygienic and aesthetic, offended by the habits of
an influx of vagrant methylated spirit drinkers who utilise derelict premises, vacant sites and
open spaces in the area for their activities.
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