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Smoke control is continuing to be well received by the public in
general and has not presented any undue difficulties.
WATER SUPPLY
The Lee Valley Water Company supplies the district with its water
supply. This supply is largely obtained from deep wells sunk into
chalk. The Company took 1,990 samples of water representative of
supply for bacteriological examination over the whole of its area of
supply. Of these only 7 contained B. Coli 1, giving a percentage of
purity of 99.6 per cent.
During the year the Water Company took 481 samples of water for
bacteriological examination and 23 samples for chemical analysis from
the local supply. All these samples were satisfactory.
In addition to the above 10 water samples for bacteriological
examination were submitted by the Department to the Laboratory at
Coppetts Wood Hospital. All these samples were satisfactory.
INFESTATIONS
RODENT CONTROL
During the year 482 complaints of rats and mice were investigated
and where necessary the premises adjoining the houses from which
the original complaints were received were also visited. In consequence
669 properties were inspected for the presence of rats and mice. Of
these properties 463 were found to have signs of infestations and were
treated.
The number of complaints received show a slight increase on 1960
and there has been an increase each year since 1959. The majority of
the infestations were of a minor character though one or two were
very persistent. Warfarin has been used in the majority of cases
though where difficulty has been experienced further treatments using
a different poison has usually produced satisfactory results.
The reason for the reduction in the total number of visits made
under this heading during the year was the fact that the usual test
baiting and treatment of the sewers was not carried out. Unfortunately
the pressure of other work at the time when this treatment was due to
be carried out prevented its being done. However, the results obtained
during the past few years have shown that the number of rats infesting
the sewers of the district is remarkably low and omitting to carry out
one treatment is not likely to have any serious effect.
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