View report page

The Council's representatives subsequently gave evidence to the Working Party referred to
and at the end of the year, the findings of the Working Party were awaited as was also action
by the Home Office in providing hostel facilities.
WATER SUPPLY
The domestic water supply in the borough is taken from the Metropolitan Water Board.
The supply to the area is a mixture of filtered water derived from the River Thames and River
Lee in varying proportions and is not plumbo-solvent. Samples of the water are subjected for
quality control to regular routine chemical and bacteriological examination at the Board's
1aboratories.
The water supply to the borough has been satisfactory both in quality and quantity during
1967. No fluoride was added, there being a small amount of fluoride naturally present in the
supply.
Immediate action is taken in respect of any form of contamination revealed by inspection
or analysis. All new and repaired mains are disinfected with chlorine and the water
subsequently checked as to quality, before the structures are restored to service. No houses
are permanently supplied by standpipe.
There are 16 deep wells in the borough. Bacteriological and chemical analyses of water
from these wells are made periodically and the results reported to this department.
The number of instances where the water supply to premises was reinstated or repaired
following action taken by the department was 65 and the Board was notified on 37 occasions
where wastage of water was taking place. Notifications were received from the Board on 18
occasions of intention to withdraw the supply from premises because of non-payment of rates.
In October 1965 the Council resolved in favour of fluoridation of the water supply.
However, in this respect councils in the Greater London area do not have overall control of
the water supplies to their boroughs which are provided by the metropolitan and other water
boards.
Section 23 of the Greater London Council (General Purposes) Act 1967 empowers the Council
to carry out work and recover the reasonable expenses incurred thereby to secure that the
supply of water to a building is restored by the statutory water undertakers where such supply
has been disconnected by reason of the defective state of the supply pipe etc. The Medical
Officer of Health was authorised by the Council to exercise its powers under this enactment in
appropriate cases.
WORKS IN DEFAULT
Works were carried out by the Council on 80 occasions during the year in default of
persons on whom notices were served requiring the execution of works.
67