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12
SECTION C.
SANITARY AND ENVIRONMENTAL CIRCUMSTANCES.
WATER.
I am indebted to the Deputy Director of Water Examination
Metropolitan Water Board for the details which follow.
The water supply is that provided by the Metropolitan Water
Board, and has been an adequate and pure supply at all times
during 1948, being derived from 9 wells, namely : Orpington,
North Orpington, Jewels Wood, West Wickham, Sundridge,
Shortlands, Honor Oak, Eynsford and Bexley.
Bacteriological analyses of these wells are made five times
a week, and consistently satisfactory results have been obtained.
Chemical analyses of well supplies are also made at regular
intervals. (See Appendix for summary of Analyses.)
All supplies are treated with chlorine on the works, but any
excess remaining after a period of contact is removed completely
or reduced to an amount that will not be perceptible to the
consumers.
All new and repaired mains are disinfected with chlorine
before being restored to supply, and samples of water from them
are analysed to establish that the water in them is up to the
normal standard of water in the distribution system.
None of the supplies is plumbo-solvent.
There are isolated parts of the district without piped water
supply, 271 houses being dependent upon underground tanks or
well water. Samples taken from this type of supply proved
satisfactory of their kind, but only suitable in the absence of a
piped supply.
During the year 82 houses, previously dependent upon stored
rain water, were connected to the water mains. The Council are
proceeding with the scheme for financial aid to householders to
assist them in the expenses of connection to the main water
supply.
The Metropolitan Water Board completed extensions to the
water mains during the year.
Drainage.
Main drainage throughout Orpington is the responsibility of
the West Kent Main Sewerage Board.
The Engineer has given me the following figures of extensions
of seweraee during 1948 ;