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8
Water.
As usual, complaints as to water supply, either as regards quantity or quality,
were few. All were dealt with, and a remedy found.
Water Supply cut off.— In accordance with the requirements of the Public
Health (London) Act, 1891, Section 49 (1), the Metropolitan Water Board reported
that the water had been cut off in three premises. This is the lowest number
for a considerable period. The reasons for discontinuing the supply were: nonpayment
of rate, one; defective pipes, two.
In the event of the premises being a tenement house, action was taken immediately
on receipt of the Board's notice, in order to secure that the tenants should
suffer no Hardship as a result of being deprived of water.
Cisterns.—The bulk of the houses in the Borough, in accordance with the
requirement of the Water Board, are provided with a cistern, and though in a
considerable percentage water for drinking purposes is drawn from the main,
there are still many in which supplies for all purposes are obtained from the cistern.
In many cases this leaves much to be desired, both as regards situation and
accessibility, and despite the fact that a by-law of the Council requires that the
apparatus shall be emptied and cleansed every six months, it connot be doubted
but that in a majority of houses no such step is taken. During the year 102
notices in regard to defects in and necessity for cleansing cisterns were; served
and were complied with.
Water Supply in Dwelling Homes.—The certificates granted under Section
48 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, in respect of new and rebuilt premises
numbered five. As showing the progress made in building it may be noted that in
each of the years since 1919, when two certificates were granted, the numbers
issued have been in 1920, 1; in 1921, 6; in 1922, 9; in 1923, 5; and in 1924, 13.
In 23 instances intimation notices were served, calling for the provision of a
supply of water to the upper storeys of tenement houses, as required by Section 78
of the London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1897. The supply was provided
after receipt of the intimation notice in 15 cases. In the remaining 8 it
was found necessary to report the facts specifically to the Public Health Committee,
and obtain instructions for the issue of a statutory notice and the taking
of all necessary proceedings for its enforcement. Following receipt of this notice
the work was done, and no further action had to be taken.
The number of tenement houses in the Borough without a supply of water
on one or more of the upper floors, in addition to that in the lower part of the
premises, is steadily diminishing. In 1919 the number of notices served was 60.
Drainage.
There have been few changes in regard to work in this connection during the
last five years. Duties in connection with drainage in the portion of the Borough
north of Marylebone Road, which were allotted to Inspector Clay in 1920, have
been in his hands ever since, duties in the southern half being performed by
Inspector Gorniot. Both of these officers are engaged exclusively in drainage
work, and between them in 1925 made 5,917 inspections. In 1919, which was,
of course, exceptional, inasmuch as the arrears of the war years were then being
overtaken, the number was 7,554.
The total number of plans deposited was 460, as against 536 in 1924 and in
1919, 278.
The number relating to new buildings was 74. The number deposited in
1924 was 86 and in 1919, 16.
In the case of old buildings, the number of plans received was 386. In 1924
the total number was 450 and in 1919, 262.