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Swimming Baths and Paddling Pools
Public health control of the public and privately owned pools is maintained on behalf of the Public Health Department
by regular sampling of water for bacteriological and chemical examination from the swimming pools in the
Borough by special chemists on the staff of the Scientific Branch of the Greater London Council. Samples are
similarly taken from paddling pools in the parks when these are in use during the summer months.
The filtration and chlorination equipment at the Borough Council's swimming baths is highly efficient and the
analyses generally give very good results. The Baths Department is advised of the results of the tests in respect of
the Council controlled establishments and these results are supplementary to the tests undertaken by the staff of
that Department.
Smoke Control Areas
The whole of the Borough became smoke controlled on 1st December 1968. In the report for 1969 mention was
made of the general concern regarding the diminishing supplies of gas coke consequent upon the rapid changeover
by the gas industry to the utilisation of oil and natural gas in place of gas generated from coal. It was hoped that
the production of other solid smokeless fuels would be stepped up sufficiently to off-set the loss of gas coke, but
in 1970 the forecast of supplies for the winter of 1970/71 left little doubt that a shortage of solid smokeless fuel
would arise that winter. After consultations with the manufacturers, distributors and the other London Boroughs it
became evident that in order to avoid hardship because of the lack of suitable fuel it would be necessary
temporarily to relax the smoke control orders in part of the Borough for that winter period. The Council advised
the Department of the Environment that the smoke control orders relating to the north-eastern part of the
borough and affecting approximately 40% of the dwellings in the borough should be suspended from the 1st
December 1970 until 31 March 1971.
It was fortunate that the winter weather was comparatively mild and the amount of bituminous coal which was
burnt was small so that the suspension of the orders did not give rise to any marked increase in the smoke content
of the atmosphere.
During the year it was necessary to take informal action on two occasions in respect of the sale and delivery of
unauthorised fuels in smoke control areas.
Furnace Installations
In accordance with Section 3 of the Clean Air Act 1956 notifications were received in respect of 34 premises
where it was proposed to install new furnaces. These were examined and in 7 cases it was necessary to suggest
modifications to the installation engineers. The Department was satisfied that the final proposals provided for
installations which would meet the requirements of the Act that they should as far as practicable be capable of
being operated continuously without emitting smoke when burning the fuel for which they were designed.
Chimney Heights
10 applications were received under Section 6 of the Clean Air Act 1968. Informal discussions took place with
respect of certain of these and of chimneys not requiring approval under that section. Advice was given and
agreement reached in each such case by which chimney terminal heights were fixed to allow for adequate
dissipation of the exhaust gases to avoid the risk of harmful local concentrations of air pollutants.
Control of Atmospheric Pollution
The emission of excessive amounts of smoke were noted in respect of five industrial plants. Advice was given to
the management on the need to maintain adequate control measures to prevent a recurrence of the nuisance.
The burning of timber on demolition sites has from time to time lead to discomfort to people in the vicinity.
Whilst it is often desirable to destroy this old wood on site as it is commonly infested with woodworm it is
essential to ensure that the burning is properly controlled so that it does not give rise to a nuisance to the
neighbourhood.
During the year a complaint was received of nuisance from the diesel exhausts of delivery vehicles at a large food
depot in the borough. These vehicles were kept running on the company's vehicle park which immediately adjoins
and is about three feet above a public footpath where a bus stop is situated. The vans were so parked that
their exhausts discharged directly over the footpath making it almost impossible for persons to pass along the
footpath or to wait at the bus stop. Discussions with the management lead to alternative parking arrangements
being made and the switching off of the engines when the vans were stationary.
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