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 1971
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London, City of ]
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Swimming Baths
There are three swimming baths within the City, which were visited weekly during the
period of the year these baths were in use. The water from these swimming baths was sampled
for bacteriological and chlorine contamination and pH value. A total number of 83 samples were
taken for bacteriological examination, 166 for the assessment of chlorine content and 83 for the
assessment of pH value. Of these samples, 5 were found to be bacteriologically unsatisfactory.
In the case of the unsatisfactory samples, instructions were given to the various engineers
dealing with these baths to close the pool or, alternatively, maintain it in such a manner as to
eliminate contamination. As a result one swimming pool was temporarily closed and extra
chlorination and cleaning was undertaken in the other pools affected. In the case of the closed
pool, this was emptied, cleaned, re-chlorinated and refilled, and further tests were carried out
before the pool was allowed to re-open.
A table indicating the results of the samples taken is shown below. The following table shows details of bacteriological examinations of both drinking water supplies and swimming bath water.
| Source of Supply | Number of Samples | Number of Samples giving results above 0 per 100 mis. | Number of Samples giving plate counts above 0 Cols/ml after 24 hours at 37°c. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coliform Count | Bact. Coli. (Type 1) | |||
| 1. Deep wells within the City area | 83 | 2 | - | 58 |
| 2. Metropolitan Water Board, at service points within the premises | 37 | 3 | 1 | 34 |
| 3. Swimming Pools within the City | 83 | 3 | 2 | 43 |
| TOTAL | 203 | 8 | 3 | 135 |
The Director of Water Examination of the Metropolitan Water Board has supplied the following
Report:-
"1.(a) The supply was satisfactory both as to (i) quality, and (ii) quantity throughout 1971.
(b) All new and repaired mains are disinfected with chlorine; after a predetermined period
of contact the pipes are flushed out and refilled; samples of water are then collected
from these treated mains; and the mains are returned to service only after the analytical
results are found to be satisfactory.
The quality control from these laboratories is carried out by means of daily sampling
from sources of supply, from the treatment works or well stations, from the distribution
system, and through to the consumer. Any sign of contamination or any other abnormality
is immediately investigated.
(c) (i) The Board has no record of the number of structurally separate dwellings supplied
in your area, but the population supplied direct according to the Registrar-General's
estimates at 30th June, 1971, was 4,234.
(ii) No houses were permanently supplied by stand-pipe.
(d) No artifical fluoride is being added, and where the fluoride content is indicated in the
analyses it represents the naturally occurring fluoride in the water.
2.(a) The supply was derived from the following works and pumping stations:-
Thames Valley works via Battersea Pumping Station and New River-derived water from
Stoke Newington Works.
No new sources of supply were instituted and there were no changes to the general
scheme of supply in your area.
The number of samples collected and the bacteriological and chemical analyses of the
supply from the above sources after treatment are shown on the attached sheets.
(b) On account of their hardness content and alkaline reaction the Board's river and well
water supplies are shown to be not plumbo-solvent. It should, however, be appreciated
that all types of water pick up varying amounts of metal from the material of water piping
particularly when it is newly installed; this applies to copper, zinc, iron and also to lead."
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