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WATER SUPPLY
I am indebted to Dr. E. Windle Taylor, Director of Water Examination for the
Metropolitan Water Board, for the following report on the condition and supply of
water to the Borough during 1970:—
1. (a) The supply was satisfactory both as to (i) quality, and (ii) quantity throughout
1970;
(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 the analytical 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, 1970, was 279,350;
(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;
Well water from Deptford, Wilmington, Darenth, Bexley pumping stations
and occasionally from Merton pumping station.
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 to be not 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.
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