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an important part of the health preserving function of the department.
A peculiar feature of the execution of the law in this behalf is the
variations in the judical decisions on penalties. For instance an
offender charged for the fourth time for smoking whilst handling food
was fined a less amount than that imposed for the third offence. It
might in the end pay to continue infringing the rule.
A great improvement in general housing standards in the town
occurred during the year. Sanitary defects creating nuisances were
reduced and owners are demonstrating an intention to maintain their
properties in a reasonable state of repair. Similarly the number of
Rent Act Repair Certificates issued is steadily falling, indicating
the salutary effects of the Act.
Ilford has not so far been troubled with many houses let in
multiple occupation but particular attention is paid to all such possible
lettings and the Regulations of 1962 will be strictly followed
to obviate the insanitary conditions so prevalent in many of our
larger towns.
At least it cannot be suggested that housing conditions and
sanitary circumstances in the Borough are unsatisfactory. It is the
objective of the Public Health Inspectorate to prevent such a claim
ever being made."
(i) WATER SUPPLY. — The district is served by the Metropolitan
Water Board and South Essex Waterworks Co. The subject of the water
supply of the Borough was dealt with at length in the Report for 1945.
Dr. E. Windle Taylor, Director of Water Examination of the Metropolitan
Water Board, has kindly supplied me with the following information.
"The water supplied to the Ilford area by the Board is wellderived
water from Wanstead well and River Lee-derived water from
Lee Bridge Works in varying and unpredictable proportions."
"In Ilford pressures were low at times at peak hours during the
summer on the higher ground above Redbridge, and in order to improve
conditions, certain dead-ends were joined up and a new connection
was made to a pumping main in the vicinity of Redbridge. The length
of new service mains laid in the Borough during 1962 was 1,293
yards. All new and repaired mains are chlorinated before being
restored to supply and samples from these are tested to confirm that
the quality of the water is up to the standard normally supplied.
Samples of water passing into supply are collected daily and a
total of 1,061 samples was submitted to chemical and/or bacteriological
examination.