London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Orpington 1954
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Orpington]
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24
SANITARY AND ENVIRONMENTAL
CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE AREA.
Water Supply.
There are fifty premises within the area where a main piped water
supply is not available.
Although seventeen premises were connected to the water main
in the Biggin Hill area during the year, there are still eighty-two not
not connected, although the supply is available.
This total of 132 premises still dependent upon underground tanks or well supply is made up as follows:—
| Number of premises with: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Stored Rainwater. | Wells. | |
| Biggin Hill Ward | 95 | — |
| Cudham | 19 | — |
| Knockholt | 1 | — |
| Chelsfield | 8 | — |
| Green-Strett-Green | 2, | — |
| Downe | 3 | — |
| Farnborough | 1 | 1 |
| Poverest | — | 2 |
| 129 | 3 | |
I am indebted to the Clerk, and the Director of Water Examination,
Metropolitan Water Board, for the following information on the
supply of water to the Urban District during the year 1954:—
“The supply to the district of Orpington has been adequate at all
times during 1954 and is derived from seven wells, namely, Orpington,
North Orpington, Jewels Wood, Sundridge, Eynsford, Shortlands and
Bexley.
"Bacteriological analyses of these wells are made five times a
week and consistently satisfactory results have been obtained from
samples of water passing into supply. Chemical analysis of well supplies
are also made at regular intervals.
"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,