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23
As referred to in last year's report, the clearance and maintenance
of public sewers, formerly designated combined drainage
systems, is now the responsibility of the Council, and maintenance
costs are reclaimed from the owners of properties connected to
the public sewer. A close working liaison with the Borough
Engineer and Surveyor's Department implements 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 are 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 331,450 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.
Reference was made in last year's report to the general question
of the fluoridation of the water supply in the Borough. A decision
in favour of fluoridation was made by the Council, following careful
consideration at a number of meetings of the Health Committee,
and the Council's views were, therefore, made known to the
London Boroughs' Committee, with a recommendation that special
legislation be sought to authorise the practice of fluoridation being
undertaken nationally.