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10.
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.
Eleven visits were made during the year in connection with the
pollution of water courses. Informal action secured the abatement
of minor instances of pollution traced to incorrect connections of
sanitary fittings.
Public Cleansing,
A weekly collection of refuse and salvage was maintained and
the. total weight of refuse disposed of at the Works was 11,490 tons
a slight increase in relation to the amount collected the previous
year, namely 11,325 tons. Once again the Registrar General's
estimate of the population at mid-year 1953 showed a decrease,
namely 47,770 as against 48,190 for the previous year.
The analysis of income on page 14 indicates a total figure of
£9,595 as against £9,808 for the previous year. Whilst tonnages
have been maintained, fluctuating market prices have had the effect
of reducing the income. The collection and disposal of all classes
of waste paper has proceeded satisfactorily.
The net cost per ton for the collection of refuse was 24s.7d as
against 24s.lOd for the year ended March, 1953 and 23s.lOd for the
year- ended March, 1952.
The establishment of refuse collectors remained as in previous
years at twenty men and five vehicles were in daily use with two
vehicles maintained as spares. No new vehicles were acquired during
the year.
The net cost per ton for the disposal of refuse was 3s.9d as
compared with 5s.7d for the previous year and nil for the year ended
March, 1952.
During the year under review the Corporation completed the
erection of a new 28-ton storage hopper and elevator, in order to give
casier loading of vehicles for the transportation of screenings from
the plant to a tip outside the area. This scheme has worked satisfactorily
and has resulted in the Corporation roe.Giving lower tenders
for the transportation of these materials.