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SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE AREA
WATER SUPPLIES
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 32 samples of water were examined by the Public Analyst
or the Public Health Laboratory Service.
From the reports the water supply is shov/n 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. Investigations in association with Croydon were
continued throughout the year for some diversion of sewage in the Beddington
area and also to drain the place of the proposed development on Croydon
Airport.
No major difficulty arose during the year in connection with the
maintenance and cleansing of soil and storm water systems.
RIVERS AND STREAMS
The work carried out in 1963 as part of the River Wandle Improvement
Scheme undertaken by the Surrey County Council proved to be of very
considerable value.
Agreement was reached between Surrey County Council and the Borough on
the scheme to by-pass the culverts in the wall of the Carew Manor. The river
will now pass round these culverts and it is hoped will prevent the flooding
which has been a feature of the storms in the last few years.
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 cess-pools
were in use in the district at the end of the year.
PUBLIC CLEANSING
The new mechanical sweepers mentioned in previous reports have proved
successful and together with some hand sweeping the Borough was maintained
in a cleanly state during the whole year.
Refuse collection, using paper bags instead of dustbins, was extended to
cover the whole Borough and by the end of the year the scheme was complete.
11.