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The Chief Engineer of the South Essex Waterworks Company has furnished the
following report:—
"Bacteriological and chemical examinations are made of the raw river water,
of the water in its various stages of treatment and of the water going into supply
and of both raw and chlorinated water from the Company's wells.
Analyses are also made of samples obtained from consumers' taps in the various
parts of the Company's district and all proved to be satisfactory.
Over 4,080 chemical, bacteriological and biological examinations have been made
during the year. In addition samples were also examined for radioactivity.
All water going into supply was wholesome."
HOUSING
Slum Clearance
During the year a further two houses were reported as unfit for human habitation
and subsequently demolished.
The Council's five-year programme consists of 58 properties and at the end of the
year action had been commenced in respect of 44.
Rent Act, 1957
97 applications were received during the year from tenants; in 94 cases the appropriate
notice (in only 28 cases did the list of defects include all those asked for by the
tenant) was issued informing the landlord (a copy was sent to the landlord's agent) of
the Council's intention of issuing a Certificate of Disrepair. Undertakings to do the
work were given by landlords in respect of 72 properties; 20 Certificates of Disrepair were
issued and 15 cancelled on the completion of the repairs.
Advice was given to tenants and they were able to purchase the necessary forms at
the Civic Centre.
Improvement Grants
Applicants are encouraged to make preliminary enquiries before any expense in, say,
the preparation of plans, is incurred. During the year enquiries were received in respect
of 16 houses. 11 preliminary applications were reported to the appropriate Committee
of the Council and eight were considered suitable for a grant, but at the end of the
year none had submitted a final application with details of prices, etc. It may be that
some applicants find difficulty in obtaining tenders from three builders for the work.
The fact that the Council have been unable to give financial assistance to cover the
applicant's portion of the cost has also been a deterrent.
Tents, Vans and Sheds
Although no applications were received under the provisions of the Public Health
Act, 1936, Section 269, considerable time was spent by the district inspectors in dealing
with gypsies who pull on to vacant sites (usually land under the control of the Council
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