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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.
Ninety-one visits were paid during the year in connection with
the pollution of water courses and these visits had reference to
premises wherein sanitary fittings had been incorrectly connected
to the Council's surface water sewers. In all instances the necessary
adjustments were made and the pollution prevented.
Public Cleansing.
A weekly collection of refuse and salvage was maintained and
the total weight of refuse disposed of at the Works was 11,223
tons. This was an increase over the amount collected in the previous
year, namely, 10,862 tons; the population mid-year 1949 was
48,510 as compared with 46,610 for the previous year.
The net cost per ton for the collection of refuse was 18s. 4d.
as against 16s. 7d. for the year ended March, 1949, and 19s. 9½d.
for the year ended March, 1948. The net cost per ton for the
disposal of refuse was 7s. 9d. as against 7s. 1d. for the previous
year and 8s. 1¾d. for the year ended March, 1948.
The net expenditure for the collection and disposal of refuse
and salvage was £14,613 as against £12,831 for the previous year.
The total income from all sources was £5,967 as compared with
£5,156 for the previous year. Of the total income for the year no
less than £3,125 was received for the sale of newspapers and mixed
waste paper, and it is pleasing to note that although nationally there
was some disturbance of Councils'' normal activities in this connection,
the Council's contract with the Board Mills was maintained
without alteration throughout the year. No reduction in the price
of waste paper took place until March, 1950.
Considerable attention was given during the year to the disposal
of ashes, screenings and clinker from the Refuse Disposal
Works, due to the fact that all available land suitable for tipping
within the area of the Borough was exhausted. As an interim
measure arrangements were made with the Edmonton Corporation
for the use of a tip at Wormley, Hertfordshire, but this concession
was limited to a period of six months.
When it is realised that the operation of the Refuse Disposal
Works is entirely dependent on the disposal of ashes, screenings
and clinker, the seriousness of the position before the Council will
be appreciated. Towards the end of the year, however, negotiations
were commenced with the Epping Rural District Council for the
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