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32
SECTION C.
SANITARY AND ENVIRONMENTAL CIRCUMSTANCES
OF THE AREA.
Water.
I am indebted to the Clerk, and the Director of Water examination
of the Metropolitan Water Board, for the following information
on the supply of water to the Borough during the year 1951:—
"No new source of public water supply has been instituted in the
Council's area during 1951, and there have been no extensions of trunk
mains, but short lengths of service mains have been laid within the
Borough. The supply generally has been satisfactory as regards
quantity. The higher level of the area is supplied from Shortlands well
and by Thames-derived filtered water from Walton works; the lower
level is supplied from West Wickham and Orpington wells with additional
Thames-derived water during the summer months.
All the Thames-derived water is chlorinated before it leaves the
works. The well water is also chlorinated, but any residual chlorine
is completely removed before the water leaves the works.
Bacteriological analyses of all supplies are made at least five times
a week, and in the case of the river-derived supply the water is tested
bacteriologically at all stages of purification. All new and repaired
mains are disinfected with chlorine before being restored to use, and
samples of water from them are tested to establish that the quality of
the water is up to the standard normally supplied.
None of the supplies is plumbo-solvent.
The closest watch is kept for any evidence of deterioration in
quality, whether physical, chemical, bacteriological or biological, and
immediate action is taken if the results of analyses are not up to
standard.
A Table giving the average results of the chemical and bacteriological
analyses of the various supplies to the area for 1951 is attached.