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15
circulation through a filtration plant with chlorination of the water is
ensured. During the year 13 bacteriological samples were taken from
the Bath of which six were found to be unsatisfactory. The unsatisfactory
samples were due to a minor defect in the plant which has now
been rectified by the manufacturers.
ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION
One of the chimneys which frequently gave rise to complaints
was converted from coal to oil firing and has since operated satisfactorily,
in a Smoke Control Area, without causing smoke. The old
Generating Station chimney, which also used to give trouble, has now
gone out of use.
There were a few minor complaints of smoke from small installa'
tions. With the progress of Smoke Control Areas residents are
certainly becoming much more sensitive to smoke nuisances and this
has led to an increase in the number of visits and investigations.
The Smoke Control Area programme progressed fairly satisfact'
orily. The No. 1 Area came into operation in November, 1961 but
not all works were completed by then. Due to delay from the hearing
of objections at a local Public Inquiry, the date for the operation of
No. 2 Area was postponed until 1st July, 1962. Work is well in hand
to bring in the No. 3 Area and it is expected that this will be in
operation by 15th November, 1962. About a third of the borough
will then have been made smokeless. It is confidently expected that
the full programme for the whole borough will be completed by 1968.
From the experience gained in the introduction of the first areas
in this borough, it is clear that, whilst the Grants Scheme is fundamentally
sound, the legal provisions of the Clean Air Act, 1956,
which govern the making of grants, are too restrictive and do not
allow sufficient latitude and time for conversions and claims to be
made. The biggest single point of difficulty in dealing with applicants
is that in nearly all cases the work proposed by them constitutes a
considerable improvement in their heating arrangements and goes far
beyond what is necessary to comply with the Smoke Control Order.
Much disappointment is expressed when the amount which actually
ranks for grant is disclosed. This amount is, of course, based on such
work of adaptation or conversion as is essential in order to burn
smokeless fuel instead of coal. New tiled surrounds and hearths rarely
rank for grant !
Very few grumbles have been heard from householders, once the
new grates are in use. Those noted have been concerned with poor
work by builders and the difficulty which some elderly people have in
managing the gas or electric firelighters,