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26
SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE AREA.
WATER SUPPLY.
A constant supply of water is supplied to the whole of the
district by the mains of the Metropolitan Water Board.
Complaints were received from a householder that a certain
insect was found in the tap water. Specimens were obtained and
sent for identification. They were identified as the "water woodlouse
" (asellus aquaticus).
The Water Board were informed and the main was flushed.
No further complaints were received.
The trouble was purely local, as only one house was affected,
and was probably due to a dead end in the pipe affording a breeding
and temporary resting place for these chance invaders.
Samples of water were also taken from an artesian well supplying
a factory in the district. The water was found to be quite fit
for drinking. The well is 350 ft. deep. The analysis of the water
is as follows:—
Chemical Analysis.
Reaction Alkaline.
Odour when warmed to 37° C. nil.
Total solids dried at 100° C. 32.50 pts. per 100,000.
Loss on ignition 6.00 ,, ,,
Chlorine 1.80 ,, ,,
Nitrites faint trace.
Nitrogen as nitrates 0.01 ,, „
Saline ammonia nil.
Albuminoid ammonia 0.002 „ ,,
Oxygen absorbed in 3 hrs. at 37° C. 0.007 ,, ,,
Hardness, total 23.0 ,, „
,, temporary 14.5 „ ,,
„ permanent 8.5 „ ,,
Poisonous metals nil.