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60
SWIMMING BATHS.
There is at present no swimming bath in the area generally
available to the public. One pool, attached to an institution is
indoors and during the year, eleven samples were taken by the
authority which controls it, all proving satisfactory. Of the outdoor
pools, one is attached to a factory, and two sets of water
samples taken by the department proved to be satisfactory bacteriologically.
The second is attached to a club and here again a similar
sample showed the water to be in good condition.
The third outdoor pool is of considerable interest. It was
installed in the playground of a school during the year, and
although of small dimensions, is constructed of prefabricated
material, lined with a waterproof plastic sheeting. The water is
subject to filtration and it is chlorinated. The important aspect of
such a pool is that constant control be kept of the quality of the
water, and school teachers have undertaken this task. Two sets
of bacteriological samples, together with a chemical sample were
taken from this pool during the short time it was in use, and it
was found necessary to adjust the rate of chlorination.
VERMINOUS CONDITIONS AND INSECT PESTS.
The need for the department to carry out disinfestation for
bed bugs, fleas, and the like continues only at a very low level.
The rising standard of cleanliness in the home and the availability
of efficacious "do-it-yourself insecticides, has greatly lightened this
side of the Inspectors' work.
Twenty-four complaints were received concerning insect
infestation and these necessitated 21 visits of inspection. The
majority of these incidents referred to the less serious pests such
as ants. However, four council houses and one other dwelling
were found to be in need of treatment and this was carried out
by the Department in respect of four of them.
The cold season of 1962 made it a year in which wasps were
something of a rarity. Seventeen enquiries were received regarding
the destruction of wasps nests and the persons concerned were
referred to a local man who undertakes the work.
WATER SUPPLY.
All dwelling houses in the district receive a piped supply from
the mains of the Metropolitan Water Board.
I am informed by the Director of Water Examination to the
Board, that the sources of supply to the area are River Thames-