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as to the quality or quantity or the water supply
In addition to the water supplied by the Metropolitan
Water Board, local Industry obtains further supplies of
water from wells in the Borough. There are seven wells still
in use and water from these wells is used for fire-fighting
as well as for industrial purposes. The Council's baths at
Plumstead and Woolwich draw water from a well.
Bacteriological examination of this well water showed
the water to be satisfactory.
DRAINAGE
Two hundred and eleven drainage defects were found
during the year, and the necessary work of repair or
reconstruction was supervised by the Public Health
Inspectors.
Officers of the Department also supervised 34 smoke
tests on suspected defective private or combined drains.
Of the tests carried out, 16 showed positive results
and the remainder negative. Three tests which also proved
to be positive were in respect of disused drains. These
drains were subsequently exposed and permanently sealed off.
During the year, 29 combined drains were inspected and two
were found to be defective. In respect of the defective
combined drains, notices under Section 40 of the Public
Health (London) Act, 1936, were served on the owners of the
properties and the work of repair or reconstruction was
carried out by the Borough Engineer's Department. The
cost of the work involved was charged to the responsible
owners.
PET SHOPS
There are ten pet shops in the Borough, and in accordance
with the Pet Animals Act,1951, these shops are
licensed annually by the Council. To ensure compliance with
the Act and with the Council's conditions for the issue of
such licences, 86 inspections were made during the course
of the year.
SHOPS ACT,1950
From the 1st January, 1959, certain functions which
were formerly the responsibility of the County Council were
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