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As in 1956, improvements in respect of the dumping of rubbish
on undeveloped land was effected.
Water Supply.
The water supply of the district, which is almost entirely
supplied by the Metropolitan Water Board, remains satisfactory in
quality and quantity. The supply is from high-pressure mains.
All the houses in the district are provided with a direct pipe
supply, the few wells which previously existed having now been
discontinued. It was not considered necessary to carry out any
bacteriological or chemical examination of drinking water during
the year. There is no evidence of any plumbo-solvent action in
the water.
Refuse Collection and Disposal.
The Borough Engineer and Surveyor reports that a weekly
collection service was maintained throughout the year. Tonnage
of refuse dealt with at the Refuse Disposal Works amounted to
20,204 tons, an increase of 217 tons on last year.
I reported last year that a scheme to convert the Refuse
Disposal Works at Barrowell Green into a Transfer and Salvage
Depot was being considered. I am now able to report further on
this matter.
The Minister duly gave approval to the scheme submitted by
the Council, and disposal of refuse by incineration ceased to operate
with effect from 31st December, 1957. When the reconstruction
work is completed later this year, the unloading of collection
vehicles, extraction of salvage and re-loading of refuse into large
capacity vehicles for transporting to a tipping site in Hertfordshire
will be carried out entirely within closed buildings. Dust extraction
plant will be installed at essential points further to reduce the
dissemination of fine dust into the atmosphere, and to improve
working conditions for the staff. At the time of writing, the
demolition work, including the taking down of the 140 ft. chimney,
is nearing completion, and the building work to house the new
handling plant is under way.
During the period of reconstruction, the refuse collection
vehicles are unloaded on open ground adjoining the works, and
the refuse is then re-loaded by mechanical shovel on to large
capacity vehicles and transported to the tipping site in Hertfordshire.
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