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222
The Board is responsible for the purity of its water and the
supplies are regularly tested—chemically and physically for an
estimation of its clarity, colour and taste, a-nd bacteriologically for
assessment of coliform colonies with confirmatory examination for
Escherichia coli.
There are 73,400 inhabited dwellings in the Borough with direct
connections to the Board's mains.
On request and following satisfactory reports, 9 letters were
sent during the year in respect of properties confirmed as having a
suitable and sufficient supply of water.
I am indebted to Dr. E. Windle Taylor, Director of Water
Examination for the Metropolitan Water Board, for the following
information given in accordance with the Department of Health
and Social Security Circular 1/69, regarding the water supplies in
the Greenwich area:—
"You will understand that this information does not relate to
private supplies and supplies from other Water Undertakings
(if any).
(1) (a) The supply was satisfactory both as to quality and
quantity throughout 1968.
(b) All new and repaired mains are disinfected with chlorine,
after a predetermined period of contact the pipes are
flushed out and refilled; samples of water are then collected
from these treated mains; and the mains are returned to
service only after results are found to be satisfactory.
The quality control from these laboratories is carried out
by means of daily sampling from sources of supply, from
the treatment works or well stations, from the distribution
system, and through to the consumer. Any sign of contamination
or other abnormality is immediately investigated.
(c) (i) The Board has no record of the number of structurally
separate dwellings supplied in your area, but the population
supplied direct according to the Registrar-General's
estimates at 30th June, 1968, was 229,700.
(ii) No houses were permanently supplied by standpipe.
(d) No fluoride was added, and where the fluoride content is
indicated in the analyses it represents the naturally
occurring fluoride in the water.
(2) (a) The supply was derived from the following works and
pumping stations:—
River Thames from Hampton and Surbiton via Deptford;