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REPORT OF THE CHIEF PUBLIC
HEALTH INSPECTOR
The surroundings in which we live can have a profound effect
upon our health and development. The elimination of unhealthy
conditions, be they in connection with food, housing, water supplies,
atmospheric pollution, refuse disposal, pest infestations; or in offices
factories or other work places, is the basis of what is usually called
Environmental Health. The scope of Environmental Health is obviously
very wide and the need for controlling those factors which
can have a significant effect on health is now freely accepted.
This part of the Annual Report deals therefore with the Environmental
Health Service, and shows the efforts made to maintain
an efficient service, despite continued staff shortages and staff changes.
In reviewing the work of the Public Health Inspectorate during
1967, regard has been had to Ministry of Health Circular 1/68 dated
January, 1968. The statistics cover the year ended 31st December,
1967, being the second complete calendar year of the London Borough
of Merton.
SERVICES UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH ACTS
Water Supply
The Metropolitan Water Board and the Sutton District Water
Company are responsible for the supply of water to the Borough and
regular periodic examinations are made by these undertakings. Reports
on examinations are also exchanged with adjoining Local Authorities
who are supplied by the Sutton District Water Company.
With a few exceptions all the dwelling houses within the
Borough are supplied from public water mains direct to the
houses but the actual number of houses is not available. A
number of industrial premises have an additional supply of water from
their own deep wells. There are seven caravan yards within the
Borough, each with a stand-pipe supplying mains water.
I am indebted to the Director of Water Examination, Metropolitan
Water Board for the following information so far as the supply
from that Authority is concerned:—
1. (a) The supply was satisfactory both as to quality and quantity
throughout 1967.
(b) All new and repaired mains are disinfected with chlorine;
after a predetermined period of contact the pipes are flushed
out and refilled; samples of water are then collected from these
treated mains; and the mains are returned to service only
after results are found to be satisfactory.
The quality control from the laboratories is carried out by
means of daily sampling from sources of supply, from the
treatment works or well stations, from the distribution system,
and through to the consumer. Any sign of contamination or
any other abnormality is immediately investigated.
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