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11.
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. No samples of drinking water were submitted for
bacterial examination during the year.
Rivers and Streams
Fifteen visits were paid during the year in connection with the
pollution of water courses, and six visits were largely in reference to
minor pollutions of the Council's surface water sewers due to incorrect
connections of sanitary fittings. In all instances the necessary
adjustments were made and pollutions prevented.
Public Cleansing
A weekly collection of refuse and salvage was maintained and
the total weight of refuse disposed of at the Works was 11,584 tons. This
was a slight decrease over the amount collected in the previous year,
namely 11,849 tons. The fifteenth census of the population of England and
Wales was taken on the 8th April, 1951 and the results which were published
in June of that year showed that the population of the Borough was 48,330.
This figure was somewhat below the Registrar General's estimated figure
for the previous year, namely 48,770.
The year under review was a remarkable one in relation to the
collection and disposal of salvage. Income was at such a high level that
not only were disposal costs, including loan charges, completely covered
but there remained a credit balance on the refuse disposal service account
of £865. In the history of the Borough this has only occurred once beforefor
the year ended March, 1943 when there was a credit balance of £276.
Whilst it is only right to report that economic conditions favoured the
relatively easy disposal of salvage at high prices, much credit is due to
the staff, both in the refuse collection and disposal services, for the
zeal and enthusiasm displayed during this year.
The net cost per ton for the collection of refuse was 23s.10d
as against 19s.5d for the year ended March 1951 and 18s.4d for the year
ended March 1950.
Although unit costs are higher in respect to this service this
is due to certain wage awards and a considerably higher amount of
commission paid, but it should be appreciated that the income from the
sale of salvaged articles is credited to the disposal service and the
beneficial results of the high salvage returns are reflected in the net
expenditure for the whole service. No additional staff were employed in
the collection of house refuse and salvage.