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GENERAL SANITATION
Factories and Workplaces. The number of inspections
made to premises registered under the Factories Act, 1937, was
248. Defects relating to sanitary conveniences, ventilation and
other sanitary matters were dealt with at 42 premises. The
table on page 46 gives details of action taken during the year.
Water Courses. Regular inspections were made of the
water courses in the district, particularly of the River Wandle,
and Beverley and Pyl Brooks for the purpose of detecting pollutions.
Details of pollutions entering from the Council's
surface water sewers were received from the Surrey County
Council and investigated.
Mosquitoes. A number of complaints were received from
residents and spraying of water courses and ditches was
carried out particularly in the vicinity of the Council's recreation
grounds and open spaces during the breeding season.
Morden Hall Park continues to be an intermittent breeding
ground due to occasional flooding from the River Wandle.
The scheme for raising the level of part of the Park by utilising
spent screenings from the Refuse Works was commenced
during the year. Although this will undoubtedly help, no final
relief can be expected until the level is raised to prevent the
possibility of any part being flooded during the breeding
season.
Rodent Control. 248 complaints of infestation were
received during the year and as a result of the inspections of
1508 premises, 260 of them were found to be infested. The
control method recommended by the Ministry of Agriculture
was followed in every case.
A 10% test baiting of the Council's sewers was made and
143 manholes were included. The " take " was higher than last
year at 10% complete and 17% partial takes. Two sewer treatments
were carried out during the year.
A free service is provided for householders and has resulted
in a ready notification of infestations, which have been taken
early and quickly cleared. Most business premises employ their
own servicing contractors, but in some cases treatments were
carried out by the Department and charged at an agreed rate.
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