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24
sterne, and Morden are supplied by the Sutton Water
Company; while Mitcham and Merton are supplied by the
Lambeth Company. Where such waters are not used,
deep and shallow wells, and in some places Artesian
wells, yield the necessary supplies. These latter sources
are kept under constant supervision, and where any
suspicions exist as to their purity, samples are taken and
analysed by Dr. Stevenson, the County Analyst. Six such
samples were taken in the last half-year, and of these
3 were pronounced to be unfit for drinking purposes, 1
was said to be doubtful, while the remaining 2 were
reported to be of high organic purity. In the first 4 cases
the old sources of supply were discontinued, and
water obtained from the nearest water main.
The water supply of the houses on Coulsdon Common
was the subject of a report to the Authority in July last.
I found that the only source of supply was rain water,
which was stored in underground tanks or in butts, and
the water from two surface ponds. Owing to the prolonged
absence of rain, these sources of supply were wellnigh
exhausted, and I found that the water that was
being consumed was foul in the extreme, and was infested
with many animalculae, visible to the naked eye. The
Authority consequently invited the Caterham Company
to extend their main, which was very close to the spot in
question. This extension has now been carried out, and
it remains for the Authority to have the houses supplied
with water from this source.
The provisions of the Public Health Water Act have
been carried out in those parishes to which bye-laws as
to new buildings, &c., do not apply. Four applications
for Water Certificates were received under Section 6 of
this Act, 2 in Coulsdon and 2 in Sanderstead, and were