In 1964 the Inspector and Chemist of the Tweed River Purification Board issued one of his regular reports, with details about water abstractions and pollution incidents. Examples include:
• There were many complaints about the dumping of soot and a letter was sent to all chimney sweeps in the Borders about proper disposal arrangements.
• Cascade Burn was polluted by byre waste which resulted in the death of many thousands of salmon ova.
• There were a couple of alarming near misses in terms of nickel salts (for nickel plating, I believe).
Technology was changing fast at the time. The Report noted: “The Board’s hydrological records are now being processed on the I.C.T. Computer and this has led to a great increase in efficiency.” However, he also noted that “the working of the office is being increasingly hampered by the lack of an electric typewriter.” (The Board had refused to approve this purchase.)
