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151
WATER SUPPLY
The main water supply in the borough is provided by the
Metropolitan Water Board, and I am indebted to the Director of
Water Examination of that Authority for the following information
:—
1. (a) The supply was satisfactory both as to (i) quality and (ii)
quantity throughout 1969.
(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 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, 1969, was 303,372.
(ii) No houses were permanently supplied by standpipe.
(d) No artificial fluoride was 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:—
River Thames—derived, also well water from Eynsford,
Horton Kirby, Jewels Wood, Lullingstone, North Orpington,
Orpington, Merton, Shortlands, Sundridge and West Wickham
Pumping Stations.
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 not considered
to be 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
lead. Surveys carried out between 1966 and 1968 on analyses
of water from consumers' premises confirmed this statement.