London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Chingford 1939

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Chingford]

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Section C.—SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES
OF THE AREA
Water Supplies.
A hard, pure and constant piped water supply is provided
by the Metropolitan Water Board, and the supply has been
satisfactory in both quality and quantity. Work is still being
continued on the second reservoir of the Metropolitan Water Board.
One sample of water was taken from a house in the area ;
the examination proved the water to be pure and wholesome and
suitable for drinking and domestic purposes.
Rivers and Streams.
It was not necessary to take any action as to the pollution
of water courses in the area.
Public Cleansing.
The collection and disposal of house and trade refuse is carried
out under the direction of the Chief Sanitary Inspector.
A weekly collection of refuse was maintained, using four
10 cubic yard freighters. The total weight of refuse disposed of
at the Works was 6,972 tons, a decrease of 449 tons from the
amount collected during the previous year. This decrease was
due to the number of families who were evacuated.
The net cost per ton for the collection of refuse was 8s. 5½d.
as against 7s. 7¾d. for the year ended March, 1939, and 6s. 0¾d.
for the year ended March, 1938. The net cost per ton for the
disposal of refuse was 4s. l¼d., as against 2s. 11½d. for the previous
year and 3s. 2d. for the year ended March, 1938. It will be
noticed that these costs are higher than in previous years and this
is due mainly to the increased wages account due to the replacement
of men engaged on Active Service, and the decrease in income
from the sale of salvaged articles.
The income from the sale of salvaged articles and from the
minor items was £1,379, as against £1,460 in the year ended March,
1939. This decrease of £81 can be traced to the lower prices
which were received for the sale of salvage due to the market
fluctuations caused by the disturbances in International affairs.
The factors which may influence a variation in income from
the sale of salvaged articles are many, but owing to pressure of
work in other directions, it is not possible to go into detail as to
the probable reasons.
The weighbridge was maintained under contract and the
fees received during the year amounted to £33 16s. 6d., representing
1,353 weighings, as against £36 9s. 0d., representing 1,458 weighings
in the previous year.
The sums received during the year for the removal of Trade
Refuse amounted to £146, an increase of £67 over the amount
collected in the previous year.
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