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PART I
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
W.J. Wilson, Chief Public Health Inspector
Surface Water Pollution
A continuous programme of investigation is carried out by a technical assistant who reports all contraventions to
the Public Health Inspectors. There are two systems of sewerage operative in the Borough. Surface water is
collected and conveyed to the water course, rivers, etc. Soil sewage is conveyed to the sewage treatment works.
Occasionally it is found that water courses are being polluted particularly with detergent scum and soap
solution. The practice of washing down cars in the roadway leads to oil washings entering the surface water
drainage system. Close co-operation with the Greater London Council (Department of Public Engineering) is
maintained.
During the year 1,478 premises were inspected in this way and drainage corrections were requested in 301
instances. The Public Health Inspectors took any necessary action to ensure that the required works were
carried out and, where appropriate, formal action was taken under the Public Health Act, 1936.
Water Supplies
A small area on the Borough boundary containing 106 premises between Great North Road and Aylmer Road,
N2, is supplied with water by the Lee Valley Water Company and the remainder of the Borough receives its
water from the Metropolitan Water Board. A full report on the water supplied by the Lee Valley Water Company
was contained in the report of 1966.
Dr. Windle Taylor, Director of Water Examination, Metropolitan Water Board has kindly supplied the following
information regarding water supplied by the Board to Haringey during 1972:—
1. (a) The supply was satisfactory both as to (i) quality, and (ii) quantity throughout 1972.
(b) All new and repaired mains are disinfected with chlorine; after a predetermined period of contact the
pipes are flushed out and refilled; samples of water are then collected from these treated mains; and the
mains are returned to service only after the analytical results are found to be satisfactory.
The quality control from these laboratories is carried out by means of daily sampling from sources of
supply, from the treatment works or well stations, from the distribution system, and through to the
consumer. Any sign of contamination or any other abnormality is immediately investigated.
(c) (i) The Board has no record of the number of structurally separate dwellings supplied in your area,
but the population supplied direct according to the Registrar-General's estimates at 30th June,
1972, was 234,874.
(ii) No houses were permanently supplied by stand-pipe.
(d) No artificial fluoride is being added, and where the fluoride content is indicated in the analyses it
represents the naturally occurring fluoride in the water.
2. (a) The supply was derived from the following works and pumping stations:—
The higher elevation around Muswell Hill is supplied with River Thames-derived water from the
Thames Valley.
The remainder of the Borough is supplied with New River-derived water.
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.
(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.
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 arrangement between the Council and the Greater London Council the samples are
collected and examined by specialist chemists on the staff of the Greater London Council Scientific Branch.
Samples are similarly taken from paddling pools in the parks when these are in use during the summer months.
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