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28
Following the reorganisation in London government, the repeal
of the Public Health (London) Act, 1936, and the application of
the Public Health Act, 1936, to London, placed an additional
responsibility on the Council with regard to existing combined
drainage systems. On 1st April, 1965, combined drainage systems
were redesignated " public sewerstheir clearance and maintenance
becoming the responsibility of the Council, with maintenance
costs chargeable to the owners of properties connected to
the public sewer. There is a close working liaison with the Borough
Engineer and Surveyor's Department to implement the rapid clearance
and repair of public sewers.
Sewerage and Sewage Disposal
The sewerage system, in common with other London boroughs,
discharges into the Greater London Council's main sewers and
disposal is carried out by that Council. The Corporation's brick
and pipe sewers are regularly cleansed and adequate for their
purpose.
Water Supply
The bulk of the water supply in the Borough is provided by the
Metropolitan Water Board and this supply has been satisfactory
both in quality and quantity throughout the year.
All dwelling houses in the Borough, numbering approximately
93,000 and housing a population of 331,660 persons, have a mains
water supply provided by the Metropolitan Water Board with the
exception of a portion of one of the Council's housing estates,
namely the Latchmere Estate, which obtains its supply from deep
wells situated at the Latchmere Baths adjoining the Estate.
Bacteriological examination of the well-water before chlorination,
and prior to its supply to the Estate, is carried out at fortnightly
intervals and chemical analysis has shown no significant change
in the character of the water. At one time, water for the whole
Estate was supplied from the wells, but work is in progress to
provide a water supply piped directly from the mains of the Metropolitan
Water Board.
The Metropolitan Water Board carries out bacteriological and
chemical tests of raw water and water after treatment. No specific
action has been necessary in respect of contamination of water
supply but following inspection of individual premises by the
public health inspectors, close liaison has been maintained with
the Metropolitan Water Board whenever necessary.
The fluoride content of water supplied by the Metropolitan
Water Board to Wandsworth is 0.2 to 0.25 parts per million, and
in the case of water supplied to the Latchmere Estate 0.60 to 0.65
parts per million.
During the year, consideration was given by the Health Committee
to the general question of the fluoridation of the water