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10.
SECTION G.
SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE AREA
Water Supplies
A hard, pure and constant piped water supply is provided by
the Metropolitan Water Boards: 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
Six visits were made during the year in connection with the
pollution of water courses. The cause of the pollution being eventually
traced to incorrect connections of sanitary fittings. The necessary
adjustments were made in all instances.
Public Cleansing.
A weekly collection of refuse and salvage was maintained and
the total weight of refuse disposed of at the Works was 11,325 tons - a
slight decrease in relation to the amount collected in the previous year,
namely 11,584. The continued decrease in the amount of refuse collected
may have some bearing on the widespread use of the slow-burning grate
which has become so popular during the last few years.
The remarkably high income for the sale of salvaged articles
which was recorded for the previous year could not be repeated for the
year under review. Although the tonnage of salvage was maintained and
even exceeded the previous year the fall in the price of waste papers
meant a reduced income, but the final figure of total income at £9,808
was still a good one.
The net cost per ton for the collection of refuse was 24s,10d
as against 23s,10d for the year ended March, 1952 and 19s.5d for the
year ended March, 1951.
As no additional staff were employed in the collection of
house refuse and salvage the increase in the unit cost per ton has a
direct relationship to Wages Awards and to the slightly smaller tonnage
of refuse collected.
The net cost per ton for the disposal of refuse was 5s.d as
compared with a nil expenditure in the previous year and 8s.5d per ton
for the year ended March, 1951.
Net expenditure for the collection and disposal of refuse and
salvage, including loan charges, was £17,226 or 30s.5d per ton as against
£12,963 or 22s,5d per ton for the previous year.
The fleet of refuse collection freighters was maintained in
good condition throughout the year; five vehicles are in daily use and
two vehicles are maintained as spares. No new vehicles were acquired
during the year.