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22
SECTION C.—SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES.
WATER.
During the very cold weather in January and February, 29 written complaints
and a large number of verbal complaints were received regarding absence of water,
mainly as a result of burst pipes. Stand-pipes were erected by the Metropolitan Water
Board in various parts of the Borough, and a normal service was resumed as soon as
the numerous repairs were carried out. During the remainder of the year complaints
were few and all were dealt with satisfactorily.
In October and November it was found necessary, owing to damaged mains as
a result of enemy action, to assist the Water Board by arranging for emergency
supplies to be drawn from the nearest available point and transported in the Council's
vehicles to the areas affected, where the water was made conveniently accessible
to residents needing it.
Water Supply cut off.
In accordance with the provisions of the Public Health (London) Act, 1936,
section 98 (1), the Metropolitan Water Board are required to notify the local authority
of instances where water has been cut off in occupied premises. No such notification
was received during 1940.
Water Supply in Dwelling Houses.
One certificate was granted under section 95 (2) of the Public Health (London)
Act, 1936, in respect of a new block of flats which included a rebuilt public house.
The number in 1939 was 3.
In 4 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
95 (5) of the Public Health (London) Act, 1936. The supply was provided in all
cases after receipt of an intimation notice. A bye-law of the Council requires that
storage cisterns shall be emptied and cleansed every six months. During the year
9 notices were served in regard to defects in cisterns and the need for cleansing.
DRAINAGE.
The number of drainage plans of new premises deposited and approved during
the year was 13 (northern district, 7; southern district, 6), and of old buildings, 46
(northern district, 18; southern district, 28). Inspections made by the Drainage
Inspectors numbered 1,022 (northern district, 371 ; southern district, 651).
Combined Drainage.
Orders under seal as to combined drainage were issued in respect of 2 premises.
CLOSET ACCOMMODATION.
In Table 9 on page 24, summarising the work carried out by the district
inspectors, figures indicating the number of defects in water closets remedied and
of water closets erected are set out. The water-closet is, of course, the only type
of closet in general use. Chemical closets were commonly installed in public air-raid
shelters when these were first constructed, but this type of sanitary convenience has
now largely been replaced by the water-closet.
PUBLIC SANITARY CONVENIENCES.
The usual supervision was exercised over the 15 public conveniences (11 for
men, 4 for women). Inspector Hill, the outdoor superintendent, visited those
provided for the use of males; the women inspectors, especially Miss Sharp, supervising
those provided for females. Two of the men's public conveniences, closed at
the outbreak of war, were re-opened on the 1st January, 1940.