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7
SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES.
Under this heading the Ministry of Health calls for a report with regard to
such matters as Water, Drainage and Sewerage, Closet Accommodation, Scavenging,
Sanitary Inspection, Premises and Occupations controlled by By-laws or
Regulations, Schools, etc. In respect of some of these matters, on account of the
circumstances and arrangements existing in London Boroughs, there is little to be
said, and much of the information is obtainable only from other departments of the
Council or from other bodies. In order, however, to comply with the requirements
of the Ministry, and to assist in obtaining uniformity in reports, each of
the more important matters is dealt with as fully as possible.
Water.
As usual, complaints as to water supply 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 seventeen premises. The reason for discontinuing
the supply was in sixteen cases the non-payment of rate, the other being
by request of owner.
In cases in which the premises were tenement houses, 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
requirements 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 cannot be doubted
but that in many houses no such step is taken. During the year 28 notices were
served in regard to defects in and necessity for cleansing cisterns.
Water Supply in Dwelling Houses.—The certificates granted under Section
48 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, in respect of new and rebuilt premises
numbered twelve. The number in 1935 was twelve.
In 15 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, 1907. The supply was provided
after receipt of the intimation notice in all cases.
Drainage.
There have been few changes in regard to work in this direction 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 Cook in 1929 have
been in his hands ever since, duties in the southern half being performed by
Inspector Draper. Engaged exclusively in drainage work, these officers between
them in 1936 made 3,376 inspections.
The total number of plans deposited was 500 in respect of 630 premises, as
against 540 and 743 respectively in 1935.
The number relating to new buildings was 70. The number deposited in 1935
was 65.
In the case of old buildings, the number of plans received was 430. In 1935
the total number was 475.
In the bulk of the cases the arrangements shown were in accordance with the
by-laws and the work was allowed to proceed under the preliminary approval of
the Medical Officer of Health. In cases in which there was departure from the
requirements a special report was made to the Public Health Committee, who
rarely refused approval if satisfied that compliance was impossible and that there
was no possibility of nuisance or injury to health arising. In the majority of cases
the departure referred to closet accommodation and affected particularly convenisnces
proposed to be constructed in basements.