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used to supplement the supply from the Sutton and Cheam Wells, but
that the reverse process cannot take place at present.
During the year the rainfall was considerable, 32.70 inches being
registered by the rain gauge under the observation of the Surveyor's
Department. Consequently there has been no shortage of water for
domestic purposes, and it was not necessary for the Water Companies
which supply the District to issue warnings with regard to the exercise
of care in the use of water.
During the year eighteen samples of water were submitted for
bacteriological examination from the private supply of the Old Coulsdon
Estates, Ltd. With one exception all the samples were reported upon
satisfactorily. In the case of the less satisfactory sample, which was
taken in July, the slight bacteriological abnormality detected was not
of importance from the point of view of public health.
The liability of this water to fluctuation in quality, and the fact
that reliance for its safety depends solely upon satisfactory chlorination
gives rise, however, to continual apprehension, and a constant repetition
of samples is taken throughout the year. The risk to the health of the
District and the recurring expense to the ratepayers of sampling will
continue until this supply is placed upon a satisfactory basis.
It will be seen that a total of 22 samples of water was thus submitted
for examination throughout the year.
In addition 47 samples of the East Surrey Water Company's and
the Sutton and District Water Company's supplies were examined
for hardness by the Medical Officer of Health. The statutory limit
for hardness in these waters is 9 degrees, and in only one case was this
found to be exceeded. The private supply has about 26 degrees of
hardness.
The source of the water supply is from deep wells sunk into the chalk
in various parts of this and adjoining Districts.
CLOSET ACCOMMODATION.
The major portion of the district is on the water carriage system
connected to the public sewers. In the more rural parts of the district
a number of houses are drained into cesspools, but these are being
abolished as new sewers are provided. In most of these cases the houses
are already provided with water closets.
During the year 4 pail closets were converted to water closets, and
at four cottages which had been void for a time and in which the pail
closets had meanwhile been demolished, four new water closets were
provided and the drains connected to the sewer. One earth closet
was also converted to a water closet.
In addition during the year 119 cesspools were abolished and the
drains of 125 houses connected to the public sewer.
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