London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Brent 1972
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Brent]
This page requires JavaScript
26
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 examinations of the water are carried out by the various undertakings.
Sewage and Drainage
Most of the sewage from the Willesden area of the Borough is discharged into tha Greater London
Council main sewers, and all that from the Wembley area together with a small amount from the 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 Amenities and Works 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.
Swimming Baths
The Director of Amenities and Works 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. 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 | 6 |
| Willesden Sports Centre Swimming Pools (3) | 532,000 | 6½ |
| Kingsbury Swimming Pool | 464,000 | 4½ |
| Vale Farm Swimming Pool | 400,000 | 5 |
SANITARY INSPECTION OF THE AREA
(Tables 13-15)
Demolition and Closing Orders
Closing Orders were made in respect of the following properties:—
118 Brondesbury Road, N.W.6 (basement)
52A Brondesbury Villas, N.W.6 (basement)
91 Brondesbury Villas, N.W.6 (basement room)
14 Charteris Road, N.W.6 (whole house)
1, 2, 3 and 4 Pound Lane, N.W.10 (whole house)
30 Station Road. N.W.10 (whole house)
The Closing Orders on 179 Purves Road, N.W.10 and 8 Union Road, Wembley were determined
because schedules of works to make the premises fit for human habitation were completed satisfactorily in
each case.
Slum Clearance
During the year under review there were no proposals for slum clearance considered.