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41
from the road surfaces and from any surface water gulleys that are
misused. In parts of the Wealdstone area the surface water drains flow
through the same inspection chambers as the soil drains, with the result
that obstruction in one can result in the effluent flowing into the other.
Investigation of possible sources of pollution were carried out. A number
were discovered and dealt with; not all were discovered though because
the source of admission of some coloured effluent was not traced. The
brook is very difficult to clean so that the annoyance from faecal pollution
is more marked than it would be if the offensive matter could easily be
removed. The Public Health Committee at their meeting in September
then recommended that the Highways and Cleansing Committee be asked
to consider the question of concreting the bed of the open section of the
brook and providing along both banks of these open sections concrete
walling which would prevent debris from the banks being washed into the
watercourse and so enable the stream to be more easily cleansed. With the
onset of wet weather no further complaints were received in that year.
This, of course, reduced the possibility of tracing the sources of pollution.
The dry and warm weather in March 1961 led to complaints being received
from a number of persons living in houses adjacent to different parts of the
open part of the water course. The Public Health Inspectors followed
every hint which might lead to the detection of sources of pollution. While
it ought to be possible to check the grosser manifestations, some degree of
pollution will continue to occur. This will always be the concern of the
Public Health Inspectors. The extent to which those living near the brook
are inconvenienced though depends on the extent to which any solid pollution
is held up, in time to decompose and become obnoxious. The Public Health
Committee then are interested in any proposals the Highways and Cleansing
Committee have about the exposed part of the brook. The powers of
the Council to carry out work are limited unless they are riparian owners.
The brook emerges as an open water course on the south side of Becmead
Avenue. From this point down stream the Middlesex County Council as
the river authority are responsible for all maintenance and works of
improvement. Above this point they act under the Rivers (Prevention of
Pollution) Act to prevent pollution. The Borough Council, if they wish
the water courses improved, except where they are riparian owners, can
only ask the Middlesex County Council to agree to exercising their powers
on the Borough Council's behalf. The Highways and Cleansing Committee
accepted that culverting the water course should be treated as a definite
Programme and the open sections of the stream culverted a length at a
time.
PUBLIC CLEANSING
Much the arrangement for the collection of refuse, its disposal
and for street cleansing were continued last year as were described in the
Annual Report for 1954.