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The company are under a statutory obligation (Sutton District
Waterworks Act, 1903) to deliver water of not more than 9 degrees
of hardness, and an elaborate softenng plant is in use.
During the year 36 samples of water taken in the district by
the Sanitary Inspectors were examined by the Public Analyst.
From these analyses the water supply is shown to be satisfactory
both in chemical and bacteriological purity, and no cases of illness
associated with pollution of water supplies were recorded during
the year.
The chlorination of water from private wells situated in
industrial premises was continued throughout the year.
DRAINAGE AND SEWERAGE.
No major difficulties were experienced in the maintenance and
cleansing of soil and storm water drainage systems during the year.
A much needed extension of the surface water sewer in Bute Gardens
West was carried out by contract, and the frequent flooding after
storms has been effectively disposed of.
RIVERS AND STREAMS.
The River Wandle and its tributaries were maintained throughout
1946, and part of the river bed cleansed of silt and snags.
Pollution by oil film was traced definitely during the year to outside
sources, but efforts to stop this annoyance were only partly effective,
and a sudden storm still brought in its train quantities of oil which
through violent agitation tends to emulsify and coat the bed and
sides of the Wandle and separate out again when the water is
relatively quiescent.
CLOSET ACCOMMODATION.
Practically the whole of the area is on the water carriage system,
draining into the public sewers. There are a few chemical and earth
closets, chiefly for use on sports grounds within the district, whilst 4
cesspools were in use in the district at the end of the year.
PUBLIC CLEANSINC.
The collection of house refuse throughout the Borough was reorganised
during 1946 under the direction of the Borough Engineer
and Surveyor, and a weekly collection by direct labour resumed, the
use of Italian Co-operators labour being discontinued.
The refuse was satisfactorily disposed of at the shoot off Beddington
Lane and through reciprocal arrangements with Carshalton
U.D.C. and the County Borough of Croydon. The future of refuse
disposal is under consideration by the relevant Committee and
becomes increasingly urgent, especially as during the year under
review the collection and disposal of trade refuse at 4d. per bin of
2i cu. ft. was for the first time undertaken under the powers conferred
by Section 73 of the Public Health Act, 1936.
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