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14
the Department in no case was it found that the statutory maximum
degree of hardness had been exceeded.
DRAINAGE AND SEWERAGE.
No extensions to the public sewers were made during
the year. Repairs to damaged sewers and drains were effected
as rapidly as possible.
CLOSET ACCOMODATION.
The situation with regard to closet accommodation
was altered but little during 1940, very little drainage work
being practicable. Four pail closets were converted to water
closets and connected to the sewers.
PUBLIC CLEANSING.
The collection of house and trade refuse proceeded
on similar lines to those of previous years. The disposal of
the refuse was complicated by the hours of black out diminishing
the time during which burning could be undertaken, while the
great diminution in the proportion of combustible matter,
especially waste paper, increased the difficulties.
Residents can assist in solving this problem by
disposing of as much fine ash, damp vegetable matter, etc., in
their own gardens.
SMOKE ABATEMENT, RIVERS AND STREAMS, SHOPS, SCHOOLS AND
SWIMMING POOLS presented no special problems, the use of the
last named by the firefighting services preventing their normal
use, hence no samples of the water were taken.
SANITARY INSPECTIONS ETC.
Compared with 1939 there were 107 fewer complaints
received and 1,586 fewer inspections made; 79 fewer defects
had to be reported, while 539 fewer defects were remedied. These
figures very largely reflect the fact that the population was
considerably reduced during the year while the staff of the
Sanitary Inspectors was also reduced by the calling up of one
of its members. Working often under difficulties, however, no
complaint failed to receive prompt attention, while all the
most essential routine inspections were made.
ERADICATION OF BEDBUGS.
Fewer cases of infestation were found, only two
Council houses and two other houses needing to be
disinfested. This was carried out privately.
RATS AND MICE DESTRUCTION.
Continued activity was sustained in this respect;
48 complaints were received, 215 visits made, 43 premises were
found to be infested and by the end of the year 39 premises had
been satisfactorily cleared.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
No legal proceedings were taken curing the year
REGULATED TRADES.
DAIRIES AND COWSHEDS. The dairy farms in existence at the end
of 1940 were the same as in recent years One additional farm
was licensed by the Surrey County Council as "Accredited" under
the Milk and Dairies (Special Designations) Order 1936, making
two farms so licensed in the District.