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76 Environmental Health
No organisms of the salmonella or dysentery groups were found in the samples. Importations of
Choriso dry sausage, gipsy pork roast and Imitace ceased with the agreement of the importers, mainly
because of excessive plate counts, in one case rising to 1,550 million per gram.
Importers are supplied with copies of laboratory reports, and in cases of repeated unsatisfactory
results, the matter is taken up with the suppliers direct.
PUBLIC WATER SUPPLIES
Water supplies from the three main suppliers to the Borough were all found to be satisfactory.
There are five houses within the Borough without a mains water supply. Supplies to these houses
are drawn from wells, one house having its own chlorinating plant. Two of the supplies were found to
be of doubtful quality. A number of factories draw supplies from deep wells and all of these were
found to be satisfactory both bacteriologically and chemically.
Of 60 samples taken from public and private supplies, 52 were satisfactory and eight were unsatisfactory.
A well supply to a horticultural unit was found to be unsatisfactory and at the end of the year
the possibility of securing a mains connection was being explored.
Miscellaneous Water
Nineteen samples of ice cubes were submitted for bacteriological examination and three were
found to be unsatisfactory. These unsatisfactory results were due to inadequate attention to hygiene
by operators, and advice was given on the routine cleansing of scoops and other items of equipment.
Following a report that water contained in plastic water coolers imported from Hong Kong had
been found to be contaminated, a sample was submitted for laboratory examination and was found
to be satisfactory.
SWIMMING POOLS
One indoor and two open air swimming pools are owned by the Borough Council in addition to
Ruislip Lido, part of which is used for bathing purposes. A further 13 pools are situated at schools,
hotels and clubs. There were 87 samples taken from private and public swimming pools, 13 of which
were found to be unsatisfactory.
The desired standard of purity in swimming pools is taken to be that of water intended for drinking
purposes and such a standard is readily attained in a properly designed and constructed pool with
adequate filtration and chlorination. Absolute purity is impossible to obtain at the Lido, but chlorination
of the official bathing and paddling areas is carried out.
RAG FLOCK AND OTHER FILLING MATERIALS ACT, 1951
RAG FLOCK AND OTHER FILLING MATERIALS REGULATIONS, 1951—1954
Although upholstering is carried out at several premises in the borough, the Act does not apply to
any of them as the type of filling used is outside the scope of the Act. All premises used for upholstery
and similar trades are visited occasionally so that if circumstances change and the type of work to
which the Act applies is undertaken, the provisions of the Act can be enforced.
RODENT CONTROL
Owing to the difficulty of recruiting suitable staff for this work rodent control in domestic premises
in all parts of the Borough except Yiewsley and West Drayton was contracted to a commercial operator.
The work is done in accordance with the Council's own standards and the contractor maintains close
liaison with the department. The arrangement worked well.
Rodent control in domestic premises is a free service; the occupiers of business, commercial and
industrial premises are encouraged to make their own arrangements for treatment but where this was
done by the Council a charge was made.