London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Coulsdon and Purley 1961
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Coulsdon]
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The following is a summary of cesspool conversions carried out since 1950—
| Year | Pail Closets (end of year) | Cesspools (end of year) | Houses and other premises connected to sewer | Cesspools abolished |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 17 | 180 | 19 houses | 15 |
| 1 other | ||||
| 1951 | 14 | 153 | 30 houses | 28 |
| 2 other | ||||
| 1952 | 11 | 144 | 10 houses | 13 |
| 2 other | ||||
| 1953 | 11 | 134 | 10 houses | 12 |
| 1954 | 11 | 136 | 3 houses | 3 |
| 1 other | ||||
| 1955 | 11 | 117 | 21 houses | 21 |
| 1 other | ||||
| 1956 | 6 | 106 | 10 houses | 15 |
| 1 other | ||||
| 1957 | 6 | 101 | 4 houses | 10 |
| 1 other | ||||
| 1958 | 6 | 94 | 6 houses | 7 |
| 1959 | 6 | 95 | — | 1 |
| 1960 | 6 | 90 | 3 houses | 7 |
| 2 other | ||||
| 1961 | 5 | 86 | 5 houses | 5 |
PUBLIC CLEANSING
This service is administered under the direction of the
Engineer and Surveyor - Mr. H. M. Collins.
A weekly collection of house refuse is in operation and trade
refuse is collected concurrently as part of the daily routine in the
five collection areas.
There were no alterations in the methods of cesspool emptying
or the collection and disposal of refuse during the year under
consideration.
House refuse is disposed of partly by incineration at Kenley
Works and partly by means of controlled tipping. Cesspool contents
are emptied into the sewer.
During the year the Council continued to give urgent consideration
to the problem of providing alternative tipping sites for
the reception of house refuse.
Charges are made for the removal of trade refuse and for
cesspool emptying.
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