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the chlorine a contact tank is provided at the works. The water is treated by a
method of controlled superchlorination by maintaining a fixed residual of free
chlorine after a given period of contact. The chlorination process is now entirely
automatic both in regard to changes in quality as well as changes in quantity of the
filtered water.
Samples of water are collected at all stages of the purification process at least
five times each week and analysed at the laboratories of the Metropolitan Water
Board.
All new and repaired mains are disinfected with chlorine before being restored
to supply and samples of water from them are tested to establish that its quality
is up to that normally supplied.
The supply is not plumbo-solvent.
INDUSTRIAL HEALTH
Factories
Most of the 375 factories in the Borough are engaged in light industries such
as the manufacture of electrical components, piston rings, aircraft parts, nameplates,
and bakery furniture. The number of persons employed in these factories
ranges from 500 in the largest to one or two in the smallest. All factories are
visited to see that proper sanitary accommodation is provided; those factories
which do not use mechanical power are inspected for cleanliness, avoidance of
overcrowding, for adequate warmth and ventilation, and proper drainage of floors.
During 1956 the inspectors paid 72 visits to factories; in one factory the attention
of the management had to be drawn to contraventions of the regulations. The
inspectors also paid one visit to out-workers' premises.
GENERAL MATTERS
Housing
The work of dealing with unfit houses under the Housing Acts was continued.
A second clearance order was confirmed by the Minister in August; this
consisted of a group of old houses in Hampton.
In addition, demolition or closing orders were made on six individual unfit
houses in various parts of the Borough and closing orders were made in respect of
three basement dwellings.
Certificates of Disrepair
There has been a considerable falling off in the number of applications for
certificates of disrepair; during the year five applications were received from tenants
who had been served with notices of increase of rent by their owners, and four
were granted. Eleven applications were received from owners for revocation of
certificates and in nine cases the items specified on the certificates were completed
and revocation was granted.
Complaints
During 1956 the number of complaints received by the department was 922.
19