The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-07-15

private facilities for bathing and were without sufficient heating equipment. Hot water facilities were also found missing in many homes of this type.
 The Yale group suggests that regular program of housing inspec- ton and sanitary law enforcement be undertaken in at least the low rent sections. It is further recom- mended that a.general housing sur- vey be made.
 The survey states that the city's water and sewer systems, as well as the garbage collection system, are adequate.
 Food Sanitation.
 The section of the city health survey dealing with housing, school and food sanitation follows:
 About one-third of the dwellings surveyed lack private facilities for bathing, and appear to be without sufficient heating installations Nearly one-half of the families are unsupplied with hot water except as this can be provided by heating on the kitchen stove. Conditions were found with respect to the sani- tation of share d toilets and the maintenance of public halls in tene- ments which deserve the early at- tention of landlords or enforcing agencies or both. A low vacancy rate, plus crowding which charac- terizes about one-fourth of the sam pie dwellings, indicates the need for housing relief by construction of a new low-rent dwelling facilities. It is recommended that regular pro- gram of housing inspection and san- itary enforcement be undertaken at least in the low-rent areas; that more intensive analysis be made of the salient problems revealed in this survey; and that critical studies of the existing legal controls of housing conditions be launched by the health department, if possible in coopera- ton with other city agencies con- cerned. It is understood that fur rher advice and assistance along these lines may be had from the Committee on the Hygiene of Hous- ing of the American Public Health Association which directed the pres ent housing survey.
 It is suggested that an early ef- fort be made to secure a careful analysis of all structural defects and hazards in the various school build ings, and that a f1ve-year plan be drawn up for improving sanitary conditions in many buildings by re- placing antiquated equipment, pro- viding at least drinking fountains on each floor, and otherwise increas- ing the opportunities for healthfu. living. Although nearly all the buildings are old, 1t is not an i'm possible task to put most of them in satisfactory sanitary conditions.
 Eating Places.
 The control over food establish ments of all types is carried on by members of the local health depart ment staff and by inspectors from the Connecticut Dairy and Food Commission. Occasionally joint in- spections are made by representa- tives of the Waterbury Health De- partment and the Bureau of Sani- tary Engineering of the Connecticut State Department of Health.
 There are about 200 eating places in Waterbury (not including tav- erns). and at least 353 other food establishments. During 1889 local personnel made 1030 visits to restau- rants and 772 to the other food handling places.
 Lack of a unified program is an obvious defect in, the field of food sanitation. There is practically no local enforcement of the state regu- lation pertaining to sterilization of eating utensils, and many of the places dispensing food are not pro- vided with adequate sanitary toilet and lavatory facilities. In at least two places which were visited, em- ployes slept in the same room where food is prepared. This is in viola tion of modern concepts of safe food handling and of the sanitary code.
 One of the most urgent needs of the sanitary bureau is for more food inspectors who are equipped either by education or experience to handle difficult job. Old buildings and local prejudice against modern food handling practices create difficult v,rohIa,,