View report page

Section C.—SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES
OF THE AREA
Water Supplies.
A hard, pure and constant piped water supply is provided by
the Metropolitan Water Board; the supply has been satisfactory
in both quality and quantity.
One sample of water was taken during the year from a water
storage cistern at a private dwelling house; the sample was unsatisfactory
but it was found that the storage tank was insanitary and
the cleansing of the tank proved all that was necessary to place
the water supply in a satisfactory state.
Rivers and Streams.
No action was necessary during the period under notice in
connection with the pollution of streams or watercourses.
Public Cleansing.
The collection and disposal of house and trade refuse and
salvage is carried out under the direction of the Chief Sanitary
Inspector.
The weekly collection of refuse was resumed with gratifying
results. The total weight of refuse disposed of at the Works was
5,333 tons, an increase of 244 tons over the previous year.
The net cost per ton for the collection of refuse was 17s. 61/2d.
as against 20s. 6d3/4. for the year ended March, 1942, and lis. 61/4d.
for the year ended March, 1941.
The net cost per ton for the disposal of refuse was nil as
against 5s. 6d. for the previous year and 2s. 73/4d. for the year
ended March, 1941.
Not only was the net cost for disposal nil, due to the income
from salvage being nearly £4,000, but a contribution of £276 was
set off against the collection costs. Without detracting from the
achievement of maintaining the disposal works, including loan
charges, at a profit, it will be realised that the costs for the whole
service are still high. Nevertheless, conditions during the year
were more conducive to efficient working, the position as to labour
was somewhat easier and the possession of a spare vehicle considerably
reduced lorry hire. The costs for the collection and
disposal of refuse during the year under review may be said,
therefore, to have a reasonable relationship to those applying in
the year immediately before the outbreak of war, that is, a net
cost of 16s. 6d. per ton as against 12s. 6½d. for the year ended
March, 1940.
An examination of the analysis of income for the years shows
that of the total of £3,983, no less than £2,227 was received for
the sale of waste paper. There was a welcome reduction in the
sum received for milk bottles, the income figure being £13 or 9,360
bottles as against £37 or 26,640 bottles in the previous year.
Quite apart from the financial aspect, the Council may be said
to have made a solid contribution to the war effort in the tonnage
8