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23
Regarding (3) it was stated that there were thirty storm water
overflows in existence along the River Brent and it was expected
that some years would elapse before any marked improvement
could be expected owing to the heavy capital expenditure involved.
In Ealing, by arrangement with the Borough Surveyor, the
Sanitary Inspectors have pursued their investigations into the
causes of pollution of certain of the surface water sewers in the
factory areas of Perivale and the North Circular Road. Numerous
samples have been taken from various points in these areas and
analysed by courtesy of the Main Drainage Department of the
Middlesex County Council. In seven instances pollution was found
to be occurring through certain fittings having been wrongly
connected to the surface water drainage system. These defects
have now been remedied and a further series of tests are being
carried out in other parts of these areas.
This work must necessarily be a long term policy as it is only
by careful testing and sampling that wrong connections can be
discovered and this process takes both time and staff. I am
hopeful, however, that during 1953 it will be possible to complete
our investigations into the sources of pollution of certain of the
surface water sewers in the Perivale and North Circular Road
areas.
Drainage and Sewerage.
There are 27 permanent houses in the Borough not connected
to the Council's sewers. Of these it is estimated that 3 will be
connected during 1953.
Atmospheric Pollution.
The Sanitary Inspectors during the year made over 100
observations in cases of suspected smoke nuisances. Any chimney
(not being the chimney of a house) emitting smoke in such quantity
as to be a nuisance, e.g., emitting black smoke for more than 2
minutes in any period of 30 minutes is a statutory nuisance under
Sections 101-106 of the Public Health Act, 1936.
No abatement notices relating to smoke nuisance required
to be served during the year.
Between December 5th and 8th, 1952, a high pressure system
of relatively cool air was established over the London basin coupled
with a prolonged period of almost complete calm.
The mass of cold still air immediately above the ground was
overlaid by warmer air, with a sharply defined ceiling between the
two layers. This "temperature inversion" at a height of 200—500
feet produced a natural water fog and trapped the city's smoke.