View report page

Efforts are also being made to reduce the possibility of the pollution
of the water in reservoirs or mains.
During the early part of the year the water supply to the Old
Coulsdon Estate was found to be inadequate owing to the increased
number of houses drawing on the supply which is from a private well
in Caterham Drive. The capacity of the pump to supply the necessary
water proved insufficient, and the loss of head entailed thereby caused
certain houses on the highest part of the Estate to be for a time without
water.
The Company then entered into an arrangement with the East
Surrey Water Company whereby for a period of three months the private
supply was supplemented.
The uneven pressures and alteration of the flow in the mains on the
Estate which ensued caused the deposit in the pipes to be seriously
disturbed, resulting in discolouration of the water when it was drawn off,
and 16 complaints of this condition were received.
Towards the end of the year a new well was sunk 400 feet deep having
a bore of 12 in. with 4 in. galvanized steel rising main, situated about
50 feet to the rear of the Pumping Station in Caterham Drive. The
water level is 160 feet below the surface with a pump 35 feet below the
water level. This new pump of 12.5 b.h.p. is worked automatically
and is regulated by a float in the water tower, the rate of delivery
being approximately 5,000 gallons per hour.
A new chlorinating plant was also installed, and for the first few
weeks it was found that the water was over-chlorinated, resulting in
a series of complaints regarding its unfitness for drinking purposes.
During the year 22 samples of this water were submitted for
bacteriological examination, and one sample was taken from the rising
main before chlorination which confirmed that the intermittent contamination
of this supply previously known to occur, still existed.
Another sample taken from a draw-off tap was later reported upon
adversely, Coliform organisms being present in 20 c.c., but the following
sample proved satisfactory.
One chemical examination was also made of this water.
In view of the uncertain purity of the source of supply in this case,
and the reliance placed upon chlorination for the protection of consumers,
daily examinations by the Medical Officer of Health for excess chlorine
were commenced at the end of the year, while the East Surrey Water
Company were again approached by the Council on the subject of taking
over distribution in this area.
An extension of soil sewers on the Estate is also being put in hand.
47