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12
THE REPORT OF THE CHIEF PUBLIC HEALTH INSPECTOR
Mr. W. L. LEACH, IS CONTAINED IN THE FOLLOWING
SECTIONS 'C', 'D' and 'E'.
SECTION 'C' — SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE
AREA
Water Supply.
There has been no change in the method of collection, purification
and storage of the domestic water supply for the district. Daily
samples are taken by officers of the Metropolitan Water Board at each
stage, and the results of the bacteriological and chemical examinations
are summarised in Table 12.
A uniformly high standard of purity and quality was maintained.
The only complaints are in respect of drinking water supplied from
storage cisterns. It should be obligatory for all water used for drink'
ing purposes to be taken direct from the mains, as the storage cisterns
are virtually the only remaining sources of potential contamination.
The Boards waters are not plumbo'solvent and are derived from
the non-tidal portion of the River Thames, stored in the Metropolitan
Water Board reservoirs at Staines, Littleton and Walton, and filtered
and chlorinated at the Hampton Works.
We are indebted to Dr. Windle Taylor, Director of Water
Examination to the Board, for the information in Table 12.
SEWERAGE AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL
During the summer months and in a spell of hot, dry weather,
the receipt of strong complaints of smells from the Richmond Main
Sewerage Works led to an investigation. It was discovered that
effluent was being discharged to the Works at too high a temperature
and creating unfavourable conditions. The matter was soon remedied
and there has been no recurrence from this source. Complaints of
swarms of small flies have, however, been received from residents in
the vicinity of the Works. A\though energetic measures are taken
regularly and frequently to combat this nuisance, control is not easy.
VERMINOUS PREMISES ETC.
Rodent Control.
There were two major treatments of the sewers against rat infestation
during 1959. Warfarin poison was used instead of the usual
zinc phosphide or arsenic and proved particularly successful. It can
now be said that the infestation of the sewers has been reduced to
almost negligible proportions. A few areas are left where concentrated
and sustained efforts should lead to complete success. The