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47
under Section 95 of the Public Health (London) Act 1936. Water
fittings have been amended in 575 cases, and extra water supply to
tenement houses in 10 cases.
Survey of Underground Water Supplies.—In August the
Ministry of Health requested a further survey of underground
water supplies in Greenwich.
The first survey was made in January, 1939, but, owing to the
national emergency and the need for economy in the use of paper
it was not included in the abridged Annual Report of that year.
As in the original request of 1939, I was asked to submit a
report to the Council on the number of wells in use, the quality
of water, methods of testing, and results of recent tests where possible
In addition, any action taken to seal disused wells, or any difficulties
met with, should be noted.
Appended, therefore, are (1) a table giving particulars of all
wells known, and (2) a map of the Borough showing the position of
the borings.
In all, 40 wells are listed, 2 of which are used for the supply
of water for drinking purposes; 13 are used for commercial purposes;
and 25 are disused. Of the disused number 9 are sealed off: 7
remain to be dealt with by sealing or filling in; and the sites of the
remaining 9 cannot now be traced.
In the schedule recommendations are made, where necessary,
regarding the protection of certain borings, and as to providing for
the proper sealing off of certain wells.
In general, it is known that pollution exists, particularly in the
case of wells close to Thames-side, depending on the depth of the
boring. In the case of one of the disused wells, evidence was obtained
of contamination of the water by tarry substances, apparently
seeping into the well from a large sunken container of tar a distance
of about 4 yards from the well.
As seepage has occurred in the case above-mentioned, it is
quite possible that through long disuse, or possible bomb-damage,
the shafts of many of these wells may be a source of contamination.,
It is impossible in most cases, without a great deal of excavation, to
determine the extent of such possible defects.
As far as this Borough is concerned, the two wells used for the
supply of drinking water are properly supervised, and for many years
have shown no sign of deterioration. In the case of all other wells,
it is suggested that at the present time the action recommended in
specific cases would cover reasonable requirements.