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214
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 five decayed teeth and in
fact, at the age of eleven only on child in very 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.
Fluoride is present in most water supplies in small amounts as a
naturally occurring chemical and the concentration varies from a
trace to 14 parts or more per million in some areas of the world.
It is also present in seawater at a concentration of about 1 p.p.m.
and it is found in many foods as a trace element.
This Council is one of 26 local health authorities served by the
Metropolitan Water Board who support the fluoridation of water
supplies as a dental caries preventive measure. Unfortunately, a
minority of 8 authorities have consistently opposed such action and
the Metropolitan Water Board is persisting in its policy of not
introducing fluoridation until there is unanimity among the authorities
supplied.
As stated in an earlier Section, it is this Council's intention to
press for legislation requiring the fluoridation of all domestic water
supplies.
Public Baths and Washhouses
There are 4 Borough Council Public Baths, 2 Public Washhouses
and a Council Launderette.
A summary of Bacteriological Samples taken from the various
swimming baths during the year with the results of the examinations
is given in the following table:—