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229
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.—Fluoride is present in most
water supplies in small amounts as a naturally occurring chemical
and the concentration varies from a mere trace to 14 parts or more
per million in some areas of the world. It is present in seawater
at a concentration of about 1 p.p.m. and it is also found in many
foods as a trace element.
In recent years dental decay has increased alarmingly 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 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.
A majority of local authorities served by the Metropolitan Water
Board favours fluoridation of water supplies as an effective and
efficient dental caries preventive measure but the Board will not
implement such a policy until it is satisfied that there is unanimity
among all concerned.
This Council's firm support of fluoridation was pressed to the
extent that it requested the London Boroughs' Association to make
representations to the Secretary of State for the Department of
Health and Social Security to the effect that legislation be introduced
requiring fluoride to be added to all domestic water supplies.
A reply received by the Association, which approved this action,
was as follows :—
"The Secretary of State regards fluoridation as an important
public health measure which local authorities need further
encouragement to introduce. He will keep in mind the views
of your Association about the desirability of legislation."
Public Baths and Laundries
There are 4 Borough Council Public Baths, 2 Public Laundries
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 :—