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SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE AREA
WATER SUPPLIERS
The water supply is piped throughout the district from the Sutton
District Water Company. All dwelling-houses in the area are
connected to public water mains. None of the inhabitants rely upon
stand pipes. During the year the supply has been satisfactory both in
quality and quantity.
It is understood that the Water Company carry out routine bacteriological
examinations of the raw and finished water daily from the wells
at Sutton and Woodmansterne, and also of the treated water going
into supply.
Routine chemical examinations are also carried out. The raw water
from the deep wells is of a relatively high degree of hardness. 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 softening plant is in use.
During the year 44 samples of water were examined by the Public
Analyst or the Public Health Laboratory Service.
From the reports 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
The arrangements for sewerage and sewage disposal continue to
be adequate for immediate needs, but the future impact of Croydon Airport
development became urgent during the year, and equipment for
gauging the existing flows in sewers was purchased, and a start made
on investigation of flows and sewer capacities; the investigation is proceeding
and proposals for diversion of certain sewers is under consideration.
No major difficulties have arisen in the maintenance and cleansing
of soil and storm water drainage systems during the year.
RIVERS AND STREAMS
The River Wandle Improvement Scheme undertaken by the Surrey
County Council as far as it affects this district commenced during the
year, comprising automatic control gates, the rebuilding of the bridge at
Culvers Avenue connecting the Borough section with Carshalton, rebuilding
of river banks at selected points, and regrading the river bed.
Works proceeding for the installation of an automatic gate at the outlet
to Grange Park Lake necessitated the emptying of the lake, and as part
of the main scheme Surrey County Council demudded an area around
the island's upstream of the lake and the Council took the opportunity
of demudding the lake itself, work commencing towards the close of
the year.
CLOSET ACCOMMODATION
Practically the whole of the area is on the water carriage system,
draining into public sewers. There are a few chemical and earth closets,
chiefly for use on sports grounds within the district, whilst four cesspools
were in use in the district at the end of the year.
PUBLIC CLEANSING
The continued use of a Bedford Lacre suction sweeper has been
supplemented by Munivacs footpath suction sweepers which have not
proved altogether successful, and have had to toe supplemented by hand
sweeping. Refuse collection using paper bags instead of dustbins continues
to be extended to the ultimate goal of general use throughout
the district.
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