London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Orpington 1944
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Orpington]
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SANITARY STATISTICS.
| Number of houses connected to the sewers. | No. of houses not connected to the sewers. | No, of houses not provided with a piped water supply. | No. of wells still in use for purpose of domestic supply. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12445 | 2967 | 351 | 6 |
Sanitary Conveniences.
| W.C.'s | Pan or Pail Closets. | Midden Privies. | Cesspools | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. of | No. of houses into. | |||
| 15123 | 294 | 13 | 2225 | 2650 |
WATER SUPPLY.
The mains of the Metropolitan Water Board supply the greater
portion of the District. In some outlying parts, however, water is
obtained from deep wells, and from rain water collected from the roofs
of houses and stored in tanks.
The supply of water both as regards quality and quantity is satisfactory.
Bacteriological examinations of the water are made regularly,
an average of 4 samples being taken each month.
No contamination of the water was discovered during the year,
and there does not appear to be any risk of plumbo-solvent action.
During the year 47 bacteriological and 2 chemical specimens of
water were examined. All the bacteriological examinations showed
that the water was of good quality. The two chemical analyses, however,
showed the water to be of fair organic purity, but it was desirable
that the water should be boiled before use for domestic purposes.
PUBLIC CLEANSING.
The collection of house refuse throughout the District is carried
out by direct labour.
Owing again to the shortage of labour, the removal of house
refuse has presented difficulty. Although collection has not been
carried out at pre-war frequency, the service throughout the District
has been maintained.