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29
Defective Water Pipes and Fittings
A problem which for many years has confronted the Health
Department is to obtain the prompt reinstatement of the water
supply to private houses, where the Water Board have exercised
their power to cut off the supply because of waste taking place
due to burst pipes and/or faulty fittings. Under the powers
given to the Council by the Tottenham Corporation Act, 1952, the
Council may now remedy the defect and recover the cost of the work
from the owner. The following is a copy of the relevant section
of the Act, namely:-
"Where the Metropolitan Water Board in the exercise of
"their right to cut off the water supply to any inhabited
"house cease to supply any such house in the Borough by
"reason of the defective state of a supply pipe or fittings
"the Corporation may execute such works as they think
"expedient in the circumstances of the case to remedy the
"defect and the expenses reasonably incurred by the Corporation
in executing repairs shall be recoverable by them
"summarily as a civil debt from the owner of the premises
"supplied but without prejudice to the rights and obligations
as between themselves of the owner and the occupier
"of the premises"
Drainage and Sewerage
Soil and surface water drainage continues to be operated
throughout the Borough in separate systems.
Surface water pollution in the Moselle and Stonebridge Brooks
continues to engage the attention of the Health Department staff.
With the heavily industrialised portions of the Borough, tracing
such pollution is frequently a matter of extreme difficulty. We
are glad to acknowledge the assistance and forbearance of the Lee
Conservancy Board in this connection.
Closet Accommodation
The water-carriage system operates throughout the Borough.
Steps are now being taken to deal with the lack of closet
accommodation in houses which are sub-let. Section 44 of the
Public Health Act, 1936, provides power to deal with buildings
without "sufficient" closet accommodation. Further assistance