[Report 1948] / Medical Officer of Health, Monmouthshire County Council.

  • Monmouthshire County Council
Date:
1948
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1948] / Medical Officer of Health, Monmouthshire County Council. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    34/70 (page 30)
    no wliere it is practicable at reasonable cost, to provide a supply of wholesome water in pipes to all rural localities in their district in which there are houses or schools, and to take the pipes affording the supplies to such points as will (mable the houses or schools to be connected at reasonable cost. Any question whether the provision is practicable at reasonable cost or as to the points to which pipes shall be taken to enable houses or schools to be supplied, has to Le determined by the Minister at the request of the County Council or of ten or more Local Government electors in tlie district concerned. It is pleasing to report that in the Magor and St. Mellons and Pontypool Rural Districts substantial work has been done on certain water supply schemes, but in practice this Act is not having the effect of providing the rural areas with the copious water supplies to the extent that was once envisaged. OTHER SANITARY CONDITIONS. Practically the whole of the houses in the urban areas are provided with w ater closets, but progress continues to be made in the conversion from privies, earth closets, etc., of the more inaccessible houses, where sewers can reasonablj- be provided. It is pleasing to reflect that as the result of the efforts of sanitarians throughout many years the regular collection of refuse is now fully organised in the populous districts. The disposal of the refuse is also gradually being performed on a more scientific basis, in many instances with a view ultimately to increasing amenities in the districts concerned. Several smaller tipping sites, however, continue as eyesores, and are sometimes liable to cause nuisance. Despite the new legislation which comes into operation from time to time, the pressure of public opinion, and the efforts of sanitary officers in the districts, the work of effecting improvements to existing shops, factories and workplaces is a slow process. Nevertheless, new establishments are generally built on modern scientific lines. Great care is taken by the district sanitarj' officers in controlling swimming baths and pools during the summer months. SCHOOLS. The sanitary conditions of schools are subject to District Medical Officers of Health, whilst the School Medical Officers and the County Sanitary Inspectors also deal with any matters requiring attention during their ])eriodical visits. It is necessary here to repeat observations made in i)reviou8 reports following the inspection of all the Nun-Provided Schools in the County: —