London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Paddington 1896
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Paddington, Borough of ]
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TABLE 32. Comparison of mean results, 1894-96.
| Mean Temperature C*. | Parts per 100,000 pts. of Water. (Means of all Analyst*, ) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Solids. | Organic. | Ammonia. | N itrogen as Nitrites and Nitrates. | Chlorine. | Hardness 1 degree= 1 pt. Oft CO3. | ||||
| Carbon. | Nit'g'n. | ||||||||
| West Middlesex Water Co. | 1896 | 28. 45 | 0. 161 | 0. 024 | 0.000 | 0.205 | 1.9 | 19. 8 | |
| 1895 | 9.8 | 28.57 | 0. 159 | 0. 021 | 0. 000 | 0. 233 | 1.8 | 19. 3 | |
| 1894 | 10. 9 | 28.12 | 0.207 | 0. 024 | 0.000 | 0. 216 | 1.9 | 18.4 | |
| (Grand Junct ion Water Co. | 1896 | 12. 7 | 28.46 | 0. 163 | 0. 022 | 0. 000 | 0.217 | 19. 8 | |
| 1895 | 11.8 | 28.74 | 0.147 | 0 .019 | 0.000 | 0.239 | 1.8 | 19. 6 | |
| 1894 | 12. 3 | 28. 96 | 0.202 | 0.024 | 0. 000 | 0. 226 | 1.9 | 18.9 | |
The results contained in these Tables are based
on analyses of samples taken from the mains at points
recommended by the Companies' Officials, and they
practically represent the supply as sent out by the
Companies, not as consumed, which may mean a very
different thing. The risks of pollution after leaving
the reservoirs are considerable, beginning with leaky
water mains in the neighbourhood of defective sewers
and drains, and ending in the cisterns of the houses.
Much attention is given to certain of these risks, but
to the possible pollution from leaky sewers and
drains very little heed appears to be paid. The
Companies are always on the watch for leaky mains,
but unless the waste be considerable, it is possible
for a defect to remain undetected for a considerable
time. Should such defective water-pipe be emptied,
sewage and filth would be liable to be sucked in from
the surrounding ground.