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As an additional precaution against pollution resulting from
possible enemy action, chlorine treatment was stepped up during the
war. Arrangements were also devised in co-operation with the Company
for warnings to be issued when pollution might be suspected
following air-raids and for supplies of hypochlorite to be issued to
householders for domestic treatment if recourse had to be had to
sources of doubtful quality. Further emergency measures included
a scheme for the treatment and utilisation of the supplies from chalk
wells in private ownership should the works of the Company be put
out of action. The area is well provided with these alternative
sources. No instance of contamination occurred which called for
special action.
None of the houses depends on a stand pipe, all having a
piped supply direct to the house.
In the summer, the Company applied for authority to increase
the daily abstraction from the Cheam Wells which in 1936 suffered
gross pollution from sewage. At the enquiry held by one of the
Ministry of Health inspectors, the application was opposed by this
and other Councils on the grounds that they were not satisfied that
the need for increased supplies existed and that alternative sources
should, if possible, be used in preference to one which had an unsatisfactory
history. The Minister decided that "he would not be
justified at the present time in granting the Order for which the
Company have applied."
Drainage and Sewerage.
No extensive drainage or sewerage works were undertaken. One
hundred and sixty drainage obstructions affecting 460 houses were
dealt with chiefly concerning combined drains.
Rivers and Streams.
No complaints were received.
Closet Accommodation.
All dwellings have water closets connected to the sewers except
27, which are mainly in unsewered areas and have w.c.'s drained
to cesspools.
Public Cleansing.
War-time salvage arrangements continued to reduce the quantity
of domestic refuse. The collection of pig-food in the manner determined
by the restrictions of war-time can only be regarded from a
public health point of view as a necessary evil to be tolerated only
so long as the food emergency lasts.
Disposal of refuse was, as previously by incineration at the
Council's destructor.
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