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58
A sample of the water from the Well was obtained and submitted to the
Public Analyst, who reported thereon as follows:—
" This water is highly contaminated probably with recent sewage
" matter. It should on no account be used for drinking purposes, and
" its great hardness makes it unsuitable for washing purposes."
The attention of the owner of the premises was directed to the serious consequences
that might arise to any person drinking water so highly contaminated,
and they were requested to take immediate steps to do what was
necessary for the restoration of a proper and sufficient water supply.
Upon these representations the water supply of the Metropolitan Water
Board was re-established.
Section 48 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, enacts that:—
" An occupied house without a proper and sufficient supply of water
" shall be a nuisance liable to be dealt with summarily under this Act,
" and if it is a dwelling house, shall be deemed unfit for human
" habitation."
STREET GULLIES.
In the past, complaints were of daily occurrence of nuisances arising from
the offensive smells coming from street gullies, especially during the warm
weather. This was sometimes due to want of flushing, but in the majority of
cases the faulty construction of the receptacles was the cause of the trouble.
The City Engineer has for some years past given special consideration to this
source of annoyance to pedestrians, and the gradual substitution of properly
trapped gullies for those formerly in situ, has greatly reduced the nuisance,
and will eventually lead, I hope, to a complete abatement of the evil.
OVERCROWDING.
Under Section 2 (1) (e) of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, overcrowding
is a nuisance liable to be dealt with summarily; and during the
year 15 cases were reported by your officers. In each case the overcrowding
was discontinued on service of the statutory abatement notice.
SANITARY DEFECTS AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE.
In every case of notification of infectious disease, the premises involved were
inspected with regard to the drainage, soil and waste pipes, water closets,
water supply, ventilation, &c.; and of the 39 cases so investigated in 1910,
it was found necessary to reconstruct the sanitary system in three instances,
and to make minor amendments to soil and waste pipes, water closets, &c.,
in 17 others.