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The above figures apply to the whole of the Board's area
but it should be pointed out that the general characteristics
of the water are similar throughout the area so that the
findings are applicable to individual Boroughs.
The regular system of examination for lead in water in
domestic premises will continue during 1968".
Underground Water Supplies (Wells).—In August, 1947, at the
request of the Ministry of Health, a survey of underground water
supplies was made and the table accompanying my Report for 1965
gave details insofar as they were known to the department at that
time. In all, 55 wells are listed, of which only two are used for the
supply of water for drinking purposes. Of the remaining 53 wells,
19 are used for commercial purposes and 34 disused.
As far as this Borough is concerned the two wells providing
drinking water are properly supervised and have shown no sign of
deterioration.
Fluoridation of Water Supplies.—In recent years dental decay
has increased especially among the younger age groups. On an
average, a five-year-old child has at least 5 decayed teeth and, in
fact, at the age of eleven only one child in every hundred has perfect
teeth. Modern research has discovered that a minute quantity of
fluorine assists the formation of healthy teeth and reduces the
incidence of decay.
In Circular 15/65, the Minister stated that he considered fluoridation an established and well proven public health measure conferring
benefits to dental and, in consequence, general health greatly
exceeding the cost of its introduction. Moreover, he was convinced
that it was completely safe and he hoped therefore that all local
authorities would take steps to make arrangement for the addition
of fluoride to public water supplies.