[Report 1951] / Medical Officer of Health, Paignton U.D.C.

  • Paignton (England). Urban District Council.
Date:
1951
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1951] / Medical Officer of Health, Paignton U.D.C. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    16/44 (page 14)
    SANITARY INSPECTION OF THE AREA. (a) Details of work carried out. New Houses : Sewer connections inspected Tests of drainage ... Visits paid in connection with the above Old Houses or Buildings : Sewer connections inspected Tests of drainage ... Visits paid in connection with the above (Included in this heading is work carried out in connection with W.C.’s, Baths, Lavatory Basins, etc.) 5 304 362 1 168 232 Choked Drains. Visits have been paid and notices served in connection with the clearing of :—■ Choked Drains ... ... ... ... ... ... 34 It is surprising the number of people who are not aware that the lateral between the interceptor and the sewer is a private drain and not the responsibility of the Council. Among the cases of choked drains a number occur in the interceptor or beyond, and this Council not wishing to compete against building firms, do not carry out the work of clearing private drains. This system is quite satisfactory, however, and most of the builders are able to deal with these matters immediately. Drainage. The control of all work to drainage systems continues to be admin¬ istered by the Sanitary Inspectors, and cordial relationships exist between the Public Health Department and the builders. The practice of entrusting the Sanitary Inspector with the supervision of drainage to the point where the house-drain joins the Councils’ sewer is an admirable one, as it enables that Officer to supervise the construction of work for which, after the house is occupied, he becomes responsible. It standardises the lay-out and method of testing, and leaves the builder with no doubt as to which Department to contact when he has drainage work in hand. The practice of testing new drains twice, i.e., immediately after laying and before covering, and after the ground is closed, has continued during the year, and it is pleasing to note that the general standard of workmanship has been high. In my Report for 1950 it was stated that owing to the high cost of materials and labour it had been found necessary to cease the practice of laying drains on concrete in the Council’s estates. During this year it was decided to bring the Council’s estates in line with private houses, and in consequence all drains are now laid on concrete. Unless the nature of the soil is exceptional, and if there is less than 18 inches