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THE HEALTH OF BARKING
RIVERS AND STREAMS.
The River Roding is the main river passing through the district, receiving
water from a tributary stream known as the Loxford Arm. In other reports, I
have referred to the water of the River Roding and the condition of that River remains
unaltered. The fact that the River Roding is tidal influences its tributary, the
Loxford Arm, and this reacts upon the level of the water table of the district.
Our attention has for a number of years been drawn to the operations of a firm
of chemical manufacturers, whose premises are situated just over the Borough
boundary. It is the practice of this firm to discharge into a pit situated on the site
of their premises considerable quantities of their effluent. The site of this pit is
six feet above the level of Victoria Road and it is to be noted that flooding and the
water-logged condition of the land in this neighbourhood remained constant during
the year. It is anticipated that with the removal of this chemical process, some
fall in the level of the water table is likely.
At the end of the war we looked forward to operations by the River Roding
Catchment Board and the Essex Rivers Catchment Board to improve the minor
rivers and streams in the district. We are disappointed so far that nothing substantial
has been effected.
Continuously, I call attention to the large area of low-lying land in the Borough
which would be made more suitable for use and in some instances reclaimed by
major improvements in drainage.
PUBLIC CLEANSING.
During the year 6,930 loads of refuse were collected with an average v eight of
1.91 tons per load.
It is with satisfaction that I record that from the 20th May, 1946, Barking
again returned to the practice of making at least one collection of refuse per week,
in addition to the more frequent collection of waste food. In addition to the
increased collection, there has been a much better supply of dustbins to dwellings
Too much stress cannot be placed upon the importance of cleanly conditions
around the home. To secure satisfaction in this regard the co-operation of the
occupier is necessary.
On the question of disinfecting dustbins I have advised the Borough Engineer
and Surveyor that in my opinion I know of nothing in the realms of preventive
medicine, so far as dustbins are concerned, to take the place of thorough cleansing
and properly fitting lids, properly applied. Further, as at present advised, I
believe that if this were carried out, there would be no nuisance demanding
attention.
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