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ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
No new sources of supply were instituted and there were no changes to the general scheme of supply
in your area.
The number of samples collected and the bacteriological and chemical analyses of the supply from
the above sources after treatment are shown on the attached sheets. (See statistical tables).
(b) On account of their hardness content and alkaline reaction the Board's river and well water
supplies are shown to be not plumbo-solvent. It should, however, be appreciated that all types of
water pick up varying amounts of metal from the material of water piping particularly when it is
newly installed; this applies to copper, zinc, iron and also to lead. See Tables (26), (27) and (28).
Baths, washhouses, bathing places, etc.
Part VIII of the
Public Health Act
1936
Local authorities may provide baths, washhouses and bathing places.
In Enfield there are three open-air and three covered swimming pools together with 33 showers ar
slipper baths provided for the general public. Sauna baths are also available at the Edmonton Gree
swimming pool in Knights Lane, Edmonton. In addition, six swimming pools of which four a
covered, are available for the exclusive use of school children. Automatic filtration and chlorinatic
plants are installed at all baths and the water supply is from the public service mains.
Water samples are tested at the baths at regular intervals during the day for the presence of fr<
chlorine. Samples are also submitted to the public health laboratory for bacteriological examinatic
and chemical analysis. During the year all 108 samples submitted to the laboratory were satisfactor
The total attendance at the public swimming pools and slipper baths during the year was 782,168.
Sewerage and sewage disposal
Public Health
Act 1936
Public Health
Act 1961
Middlesex County
Council Acts 1956
and 1961
It is the duty of the local authority to provide for the sewerage of their district.
The Borough Engineer and Surveyor is responsible for sewers under highways apart from trunk
sewers, which are the responsibility of the Greater London Council. During 1972 work was completed
on the Enfield Main Foul Sewer Scheme. The sewer now links the Bush Hill area to the Greater
London Council trunk sewer at Conduit Lane, Edmonton, relieving existing heavily surcharged
sewers and allowing for the sealing of relief overflows. Work also continued on the Eastern Enfield
Flood Alleviation Scheme, which is designed to relieve flooding in the area during times of storm.
Numerous other drainage schemes were undertaken to rectify faults in existing sewers, or to provide
increased capacity occasioned by redevelopment.
The Health Department undertakes the clearance of sewers on private property, and 2,725 stoppages
were cleared. The user of a drain or private sewer is responsible for maintaining it in good repair.
Three formal notices for repair to drains and eight for the repair of private sewers were served. By the
end of the year the repair works to the defective sewers were completed and two of the drainage
notices had been complied with.
London Government
Act 1963
The Greater London Council is responsible for sewage disposal, and there are two disposal works
within the Borough: one at Deephams, and the other at Ponders End, operated by the London Borough
of Enfield. Some digested sewage sludge is pumped to the Ramney Marsh drying beds for treatment
before being removed for disposal. The remainder is pumped by underground pipes to the Beckton
works prior to being disposed of at sea.
For certain information in this report I am indebted to the Borough Engineer and Surveyor.
Section 87
Public Health Act
1936
Public conveniences
The Council provide 50 public conveniences, including those sited in parks and open spaces. Staffing,
cleansing and maintenance of these conveniences are the responsibility of the Health Department. In
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