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The amount of legislation in the form of Acts, Orders and
Regulations, authorising the local authority to perform its varied
duties, and where necessary to resort to enforcement action, is
voluminous. However, as far as the Health Department is
concerned as much work as possible is done in an informal
manner, using the legislation as a guide and resorting to enforcement
action only when all other measures have failed.
Many of the achievements of the health inspectorate are
obtained either by co-operation, the education of various branches
of the community in their duties, and giving advice on countless
problems relating to environmental health. Indeed, one can justly
say that the motto of the Public Health Inspectors Association
“Amicus Humani Generis” which means” Friend of the Human
Race” was aptly chosen and amply describes the inspectorate.
Although much of the following report relies on figures and
numbers of visits made for all kinds of purposes, it does illustrate
the varied and complex duties of the department.
1. (i) Water Supply
Mr. P. Gordon Spencer, B.Eng.M.I.C.E., Chief Engineer to
the South Essex Waterworks Company, has kindly provided the
following information regarding the water supply to the district,
(a) There have been aproximately two miles of 36in. main
laid along, or parallel to the Southend Arterial Road to
improve pressures in Romford and elsewhere.
(b) Length of mains laid in yards:—
3" 4" 6"
Total
572 266 33 871 yards
(c) The water supply of the area and of its severa parts has
been satisfactory both as to quality and quantity.
(d) Bacteriological and chemical examinations are made of
the raw water, of the water in its various stages of
treatment, of the water supplied from the Companys
wells and of the water going into supply.
Analyses are also made of samples obtained from
consumers' taps in the various parts of the Company's
district, all proved to be satisfactory.
A total of over 4,120 chemical, bacteriological and
biological examinations have been made. In addition
samples were examined for radioactivity.
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