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31
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE AREA
WATER
The Metropolitan Water Board, the Colne Valley Water Company together with the Rickmansworth
and Uxbridge Water Board supply Brent with water. These supplies are not subject to plumbo-solvent 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 various undertakings.
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.
House refuse is collected weekly and trade refuse as often as required at an agreed charge. The
Greater London Council is responsible for the disposal of refuse by controlled tipping and by separation and
incineration plant.
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 ensure breakpoint chlorination is installed at each pool.

SANITARY INSPECTION OF THE AREA
Details of inspections carried out are shown in Table 27. Three inspectors were engaged on special
surveys in smoke control areas.
Demolition and Closing Orders (Table 28)
Two Closing Orders and two Demolition Orders were made during the year.
Slum Clearance and Area Redevelopment
The High Court action concerning the South Kilburn (Extended) Area C.P.O. 1 was heard in the
High Court in October. The Judge dismissed the appeal against the Order initiated by certain property owners
in the area comprising 417 premises and redevelopment is now proceeding.
House-to-House Inspection and Multiple Occupation
House-to-House inspection was carried out during the year. Although hampered by shortage of staff
and the difficulty of carrying out 'work in default', a great deal of work was done in combating multiple occupation
to secure the provision of amenities and general repair. This is a most time-consuming project and
many additional public health inspectors would have to be recruited before any appreciable inroads into the
problem could be made.
144 notices under section 15, Housing Act, 1961, requiring the provision of additional amenities and
112 directions under section 19 of the Act to overcome overcrowding in houses in multiple occupation were
served. During the year the Department assumed responsibility for the provision of means of escape from
fire in dwelling houses under Section 16 of the Housing Act, 1961. 36 notices were served.
Overcrowding
There has been little change in the extent of overcrowding which still remains prevalent.
The Housing Manager has kindly supplied the details of overcrowding in the area, which have been
based mainly on statements of housing applicants (Table 29), and also details of new dwellings constructed
during the year (Table 30).
Applicants to the Council for mortgage for the purchase of a house, can submit a medical certificate
or a certificate of overcrowding in support of the application. These certificates are assessed and information
given to the Housing Advances Sub-Committee to assist this Committee in discriminating at the medical level.