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1. (i) Water Supply.
The water to the district is supplied by the Metropolitan
Water Board and is derived from several sources
namely Bexley, Crayford, Darenth and Wilmington wells
together with River Thames derived filtered water.
The water supply to this area has been satisfactory in
both quality and quantity during the year.
Bacteriological analyses are made at least five times a
week from all supplies and in the case of the wells the water
is sampled before and after chlorination. The water derived
from the River Thames is sampled at each stage of the purification
process and all the water is chlorinated before it
leaves the works. All new and repaired mains are chlorinated
before being restored to use and samples of water from them
are tested bacteriologically.
There have been no specific cases of contamination and
the waters are not liable to have a plumbo-solvent action.
No new source of public water supply was instituted in
the Borough of Bexley during 1961. There were no important
extensions of trunk mains and no change in the general
scheme of supply to the area. New service mains laid extended
to 1,332 yards.
During the year 9 samples of water from piped supplies
were taken and submitted to the Public Health Laboratory
for bacteriological examination and all were found to be
satisfactory.
(ii) Drainage and Sewerage.
During the year a start was made on the surface water
drainage of Lion, Freta, Izane and Heathfield Roads and up
to the end of 1961 the work was completed in Lion Road
from Upton Road to Izane Road.
An enlargement of the sewer in Bellegrove Road, also
to places westwards of the railway bridge was made.
In conjunction with the development of the hutment site
on the east side of Upper Wickham Lane, surface water
sewers were laid in the highways.
Number of cesspools emptied, 9.
The total number of emptyings, 35.
Number of cesspools abolished, 1.
2. Rivers and Streams.
No serious pollution was found in rivers or streams
during the year.
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