London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Brent 1966
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Brent]
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29
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE AREA
WATER
The Metropolitan Water Board and the Colne Valley Water Company supply Brent with water.
These supplies are not subject to plumbo-soivent action and have been satisfactory both in quantity and
quality. All dwelling houses and flats have a piped supply direct from the mains and there were no complaints
of any contamination during the year. Frequent bacteriological and chemical examination of the water
is carried out by the Metropolitan Water Board and Colne Valley Water Company.
SEWAGE AND DRAINAGE
Most of the sewage from the Willesden area of the Borough is discharged into the Greater London
Council main sewers, and all that from the Wembley area together with a small amount from Park Royal
area is discharged into the West Middlesex Main Drainage system.
The arrangements for sewage disposal are adequate and also those for sewerage with minor exceptions
due to local flooding associated with severe storms.
REFUSE DISPOSAL
The Borough Engineer's Department deals with the provision of dustbins.
Refuse is disposed of by controlled tipping at Yiewsley and by a separation and incineration plant
at Alperton, house refuse is collected weekly and trade refuse as often as required at an agreed charge.
SWIMMING BATHS
The Borough Engineer has kindly supplied the following information in respect of the five
swimming baths in the borough.
The water for filling the baths is obtained from the mains supply. It is regularly chlorinated and
plant of sufficient capacity to insure breakdown conditions is installed at each bath.
The capacity of each bath and the time taken for the whole of the water to pass through the filters and treatment plant is as follows:—
| Capacity (gallons) | Time taken for water to pass through filters, etc. (hours) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Granville Road Baths | 145,000 | 4 | |
| Gladstone Park Swimming Pool | 500,000 | 11 | |
| Willesden Sports Centre Swimming Pool | 350,000 | 6½ | |
| Kingsbury Swimming Pool | 464,000 | 4½ | |
| Vale Farm Swimming Pool | 400,000 | 5 | |
| 469 samples were taken, of which 1 was unsatisfactory. | |||
| Swimming bath | Samples taken | Unsatisfactory | |
| Granville Road | 263 | 1 | |
| Gladstone Park | 76 | — | |
| Willesden Sports Centre | 42 | — | |
| Kingsbury | 45 | — | |
| Vale Farm | 43 | — | |
SANITARY INSPECTION OF THE AREA
Details of inspections carried out are shown in Table 27. Four inspectors were engaged on special
surveys: three on the smoke control areas, and one on Rachman-type problems.
Demolition and Closing Orders (Table 28)
Four Closing Orders and four Demolition Orders were made during the year.
Slum Clearance and Area Redevelopment
The Minister of Housing and Local Government confirmed, with certain modifications, the C.P.Os.
Nos. 1 and 3 in the South Kilburn (Extended) Area wh ich had been the subject of a Public Inquiry in November
and December, 1965.
Certain property owners in Area No. 1 have served High Court writs on the Council with a view
to quashing the confirmation of the Order. Slum clearance action in this area comprising 417 premises is
held up pending the decision of the High Court.