[Report 1920] / Medical Officer of Health, Harpenden U.D.C.

  • Harpenden (England). Urban District Council.
Date:
1920
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1920] / Medical Officer of Health, Harpenden U.D.C. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Sanitary Circumstances of the District. Water.—A sufficient and constant supply of good and pure, though rather hard water, is maintained by the Harpenden Water Works from deep wells in the chalk. Rivers and Streams.—The River Lea on the eastern border of the district receives the effluent from the Sewage Works. A satisfactory degree of purity is maintained. Drainage and Sewerage.—During the year 19 houses have been linked up with the public sewers, making a total of 1,195 out of a possible 1,415. About 100 of the houses unconnected are in outlying parts or in roads not yet sewered. Previous reports have described in detail the methods of purification adopted at the Works. It is sufficient to add that analyses of the effluent show that it is quite satisfactory. The quantity of sewage dealt with was 42,801,886 gallons of which 3,857,300 were pumped from the low level system. About 740 tons of screening and sludge were removed. The efficiency and appearance of the detritus chambers, have both been improved by the construction of a half-round channel with a catch-pit. The formation of thick offensive and decomposing scum, which had to be removed by manual labour is thus prevented. The additional layer of slates on some of the beds has improved their appearance. At the works as a whole there is now nothing offensive to the eye or nose. 2,963,067 gallons of storm water received partial treatment. Closet Accommodation.—I have mentioned that the great majority of houses are connected with the sewers and are therefore provided with water closets. There are approx- imately 60 privies, 40 with moveable receptacles (pail closets), and 20 with fixed receptacles. Scavenging.—The removal and disposal of house refuse and the cleansing of the pail closets are carried out by the same contractor. The area dealt with has been extended, and includes all but a very few houses. House refuse is dumped into a deep disused gravel pit, covered with earth and sown with grass. The contents of closet pails are ploughed into arable land. The work is carried out in a satisfactory manner and there are few complaints.