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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; the supply has been satisfactory in
both quality and quantity.
Rivers and Streams.
It was not found necessary to take action in connection with
the pollution of 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.
During the year the weekly collection of refuse was reinstituted,
not without difficulties, but with beneficial results gener
ally. The total weight of refuse disposed of at the Works was
7,771 tons, an increase of 1,828 tons over the previous year. This
considerable increase of the quantity of refuse was due principally
to the rise in the population figure, namely 44,098 mid-year, 1946,
as against 37,790 mid-year, 1945.
The net cost per ton for the collection of refuse was 14s. Od.
as against 16s. 5½d. for the year ended March, 1946, and 20s. 2d.
for the year ended March, 1945.
The net cost per ton for the disposal of refuse was 9s. 6¼d.
as against 6s. 9¼d. for the previous year and 10s. 5 3/4d. for the
year ended March, 1945.
An examination of the analysis of income for the year shows
that of the total of £3,779, no less than £1,212 was received for
the sale of waste paper. The total income for the year is one of
the highest ever recorded, and the income for this part of the
Council's Salvage Scheme, including the allowance from the Board
of Trade, was £768.
During the latter part of the year the Council had under
consideration the provision of circular concrete bases fitted with
two upright supports to each of the communal kitchen waste bins
in the town. The object of these bases was to prevent the bins
being overturned, and the Council decided to purchase 100 of
these bases.
The weighbridge was maintained under contract and the fees
during the year amounted to £48 19s. 6d., representing 1,959
weighings as against £40 5s. Od. or 1,610 weighings in the previous
year.
The income derived from the collection of trade refuse was
£235.
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