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

City of London 1970

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London, City of ]

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Table: The following table shows details of bacteriological examinations of both drinking water supplies and swimming bath water.

The following table shows details of bacteriological examinations of both drinking water supplies and swimming bath water.

Source of SupplyNumber of SamplesNumber of Samples giving results above 0 per 100 ml s.Number of Samples giving plate counts above 0 Cols/ml after 24 hours at 37 °C.
Col i form CountBact. Coli. (Type 1)
(1) Deep Wells within the City Area1012-26
(2) Metropolitan Water Board323-23
(3) Swimming Pools within the City1091-43
TOTAL2426-92

Table: Samples are taken from various sources for chemical analysis when questions of taste, adour and colour are raised. Five such samples were taken and subsequently found satisfactory. The results are tabulated below:-

Samples are taken from various sources for chemical analysis when questions of taste, adour and colour are raised. Five such samples were taken and subsequently found satisfactory. The results are tabulated below:-

No.SourceSupplyUseCondition of WaterRemarks
1Drinking PointM.W.B.DrinkingClear, bright, odourless tasteless and pale yellow colour. Bacteriologically satisfactory.Water consistant with M.W.B. supply to City of London. No cause for complaint of Gastro enteritis.
2TapM.W.B.DrinkingClear, bright, odourless tasteless, colourless and free from sediment.Water consistant with M.W.B. supply to City of London.
3TapM.W.B.DrinkingSmal 1 amount of brown sediment. When allowed to stand, clear, colourless odourless and tasteless.Sediment found to be iron hydroxide or rust, not harmful to a consumer.
4Drinking PointM.W.B.DrinkingClear, bright, free from sediment, odourless and practically colourless. Bacteriologically satisfactory.Water consistant with M.W.B. supply to City of London.
5TapM.W.B.DrinkingClear, bright, free from sediment, odourless, tasteless, and prac-tically colourless.Water consistant with M.W.B. supply to City of London.