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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.
Rivers and Streams.
Seventy-eight visits were made during the year in connection with
the pollution of water courses. Informal action secured the abatement
of minor instances of pollution.
Fly Nuisance,
No complaints were received during the year as to the emergence of
flies from the waters of the Metropolitan Water Board Reservoirs and it
was evident, therefore, that the new treatment put into operation in
1957 could be regarded as most successful. This treatment consisted
of spraying with a chemical insecticide termed Dieldrin in the place of
spraying with a watery suspension of D.D.T. powder.
Public Cleansing.
A weekly collection of refuse and salvage was maintained and the
total weight of refuse disposed of at the Works was 11,989 tons as
compared with 11,281 tons in the previous year. The Registrar
General's estimate of population at the raid-year 1959 was identically
similar to the previous year, namely 46,030, The number of premises
from which refuse was collected showed an increase, being 14,651 as
against 14,562 for the previous year.
The analysis of income on page 14 reveals a total figure of £12,683
as against £12,958 for the previous year. Whilst the sale of waste
paper made a major contribution to this figure, notable sums were also
received from the sale of metals, both ferrous and non-ferrous, cullet,
bottles, jars and textiles.
The net cost per ton for the collection of refuse was 33/3d. as
against 34/6d. for the year ended March, 1959, and 31/8d, for the year
ended March, 1958. There was, therefore, a slight decrease in the
unit cost per ton.
Five refuse collection vehicles were in daily use, with an additional
vehicle, a Ford Thames 4 ton vehicle fitted with a 4-cylinder diesel
engine and a 15 cu. yd, "Eagle" Derby type body.