View report page

As contaminated water can cause disease, all the water is now
chlorinated to destroy any harmful organisms and the public
supply softened to about a half its original hardness, mainly for
economic reasons.
Routine samples of the treated water in public supply were
submitted quarterly for bacteriological and chemical examination.
In addition, six further samples were obtained for various reasons,
making 22 samples in all.
In addition, both the Water Companies and the Local
Authorities sharing these public supplies provided the Department
with copies of the reports on the samples taken by them. No
complaints were received during the year with regard to the quality
or quantity of water supplied by the Companies. Only one unsatisfactory
report was received and that on a bacteriological
sample the defect in which was attributed to the use by the consumer
of an obsolete water softener, which was subsequently
abolished on the advice of the Department.
Forty-eight samples were taken from the supplies of the two
Companies and examined for hardness by the Department, all of
which were satisfactory in that adequate softening had been
carried out as required by Statute.
Typical chemical and bacteriological reports on the Companies'
water as in public supply are available on request. Coming
from deep wells in the chalk the fluoride content is low.
The Cane Hill Hospital Management Committee has made
arrangements with the Public Health Department of the London
County Council for routine sampling and supervision of the water
supply from the relatively shallow well in their grounds, which is
used exclusively by this Hospital. Adequate chlorination is essential
and steps have been taken to ensure this and to effect closer
co-operation between the officers of the three authorities interested
in the standard of this supply.

RAINFALL.
46