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No evidence exists that the water is plumbo-solvent and before distribution
the raw water is chlorinated and partially dechlorinated. A
part of the supply is also filtered and most of it is submitted to partial
softening.
The number of dwelling houses supplied is 68,659 for an estimated
population of 209,600.
I am indebted to the Colne Valley Water Company for their help in
the supplying of information for this part of the Report and I would also
like to acknowledge the co-operation and assistance received from them
throughout the year.
DRAINAGE AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL
The soil sewage from the Borough flows to the West Middlesex
Drainage Works at Mogden as it has done since 1936 when the last of the
five disposal works in the area went out of use.
There are still, however, a few properties in the northern part of the
district from which the sewage is treated in small disposal plants, otherwise
all the properties within the Borough are connected to the main drainage
system.
Surface water is disposed of by way of separate sewers that discharge
into local water courses. There are five of these: the River Pinn; the
Yeading Brook; the Kenton Brook; the Wealdstone Brook and the Edgware
Brook.
The rate of flow in these water courses varies with the amount of
rainfall and during sudden storms they may have to carry very large
volumes of water, while during drought the flow may be reduced to a mere
trickle.
One of the problems arising from these water courses is the pollution
that is caused by foul water being diverted into the surface water drains
of properties, which happens when waste pipes from sinks, baths and
lavatory basins are connected to rainwater downpipes. Many such waste
pipes were found and dealt with during the year.
PUBLIC CLEANSING
The cleansing services are under the administration and control of the
Borough Surveyor.
The weekly collection service provided in the district is undertaken
by direct labour and involves the handling of over 82,000 bins. There was
no change in the method of disposal during the year, the collected refuse
being conveyed to Harefield where it was disposed of by tipping.
SWIMMING BATHS
There are two open-air swimming baths in the district, one in Central
Harrow and one in Wealdstone. Because of poor weather conditions
during the summer months, the number of bathers was less than in previous
years. Even so, attendances at the Harrow Baths were 66,977 and at
Wealdstone 59,506.