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(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, 1971, was 216,441.
(ii) No houses were permanently supplied by standpipe.
(d) No artificial fluoride is being 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—derived water from the Thames Valley
group. Well water from Bexley, Crayford, Darenth, Deptford,
Wansunt and Wilmington Pumping Stations.
No new sources of supply were instituted and there were
no changes to the general scheme of supply in your area.
The number of samples collected and the bacteriological
and chemical analyses of the supply from the above
sources after treatment are shown on the attached sheets.
(b) On account of their hardness content and alkaline reaction
the Board's river and well water supplies are shown
not to be plumbo-solvent. It should, however, be appreciated
that all types of water pick up varying amounts of
metal from the material of water piping particularly when
it is newly installed; this applies to copper, zinc, iron and
also to lead."
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