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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 1972.
(b) All new and repaired mains are disinfected with chlorine; after a predetermined period
of contact the pipes are flushed and refilled; samples of water are then collected
from these treated mains; and the mains are returned to service 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, 1972, was 306,370.
(ii) No houses were permanently supplied by standpipe.
(d) No artificial 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:-
River Thames-derived water from the Thames Valley group of works.
Well water from Eynsford, Horton Kirby, Lullingstone, Merton, North Orpington,
Orpington, 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 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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