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SMOKE ABATEMENT.
Some beneficial results were obtained along the Sijvertown
Factory belt in connection with smoke abatement. Statutory proceedings
were commenced against a firm consuming 450 tons of
coal and evaporating about nine million pounds of water per day.
All the discharge from this huge tonnage passed to the atmosphere
via one large chimney, with the result that it became an
obvious nuisance. Proceedings were eventually instituted, but
an application was made for an adjournment of three months on
an undertaking by the firm to take all practical steps to abate the
nuisance. In these circumstances the Department raised no
objection to the adjournment, as it was considered of vital importance
that the goodwill and co-operation of the firm and their
engineering staff should be retained. It is interesting to note that
no offence has been observed since.
A vast improvement was achieved at a large engineering
works by friendly co-operation with the Works Engineer. In
this case about ten small steam raising plants were involved, in
addition to various annealing and hardening furnaces. Excellent
results were achieved, and in the case of the boilers no offence
has recently been observed.
A grit nuisance occurred in the case of a Lancashire boilerplant,
but was found to be due to the use of excessive induced
draught, and was remedied.
ERADICATION OF BED BUGS.
In all cases where tenants are removed from Clearance Areas
or houses to be demolished under Demolition Orders, post cards
are sent to the tenants offering disinfection of bedding, etc., by
steam at the time of removal. During the year no advantage was
taken of this offer.
SWIMMING BATHS AND POOLS.
Mr. J. D. Sutton, Superintendent Engineer, reports as
follows:—
Attention to the purity of swimming bath water now occupies
a very important place in the duties of the Bath Superintendent,
and in West Ham this study of water purification receives its due
consideration.
The water in all the Pools in the Borough, under the control
of the West Ham Council, is now continuously aerated, filters
and sterilised, care being exercised in drawing up the specification
of the filter plant to ensure a minimum turn-over of four hours.
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