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35
In September, 1927, another analysis of water taken from the
Company's supply was made, and again an unsatisfactory report was
received. The whole facts were thereupon reported to the Public
Health Committee, who informed the Council:—
(i) That they had considered the report of the Public Analyst
upon a sample of water taken from the London, Midland and
Scottish Railway Company's premises, which stated that the
appearance of the water showed much suspended matter, was
cloudy, and of a greenish-yellow colour; that the microscopical
examination of the sediment showed it consist of
animal and vegetable debris, together with a very large
number of diatoms; that the water was obviously highly
charged with organic matter, showing that it had undergone
no proper filtration, or had since been contaminated with
surface water; that there was also the presence of B. Coli
in so small a volume as 10 c.c., indicating an unsatisfactory
condition and slight sewage contamination, and that, having
regard to these facts, he was of opinion that the water was
not in a suitable condition for human consumption.
(ii) That the Medical Officer of Health had reported that the
London, Midland and Scottish Railway Company (who had
practically the powers of a Water Company) supplied water
from their own reservoir at Watford to certain premises in
the Borough; but that he had no knowledge of the extent
of the whole area supplied by the Company; that for some
years past his attention had been directed to the fact that
this water was unsatisfactory, and in addition to the present
Analyst's report he had received previous reports that the
water was dirty and cloudy from myriads of fungus spores
and thread worms; that the attention of the Railway Company
had been drawn to the condition of the water on several
occasions.
(iii) That they were of opinion that a very serious state of affairs
existed with regard to the dangerous condition of the water
supplied by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway Company
to their premises, and therefore,—in view of the facts
contained in the previous paragraphs, recommended that the
Member of Parliament for the Borough be requested to raise
the question in the House of Commons as to the state of the
water supplied by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway
Company to their premises in the Borough.