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26
SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE BOROUGH
Water.
There are three sources of supply in the Borough. The
Greenford North, Greenford South and Perivale Wards are
supplied by the Rickmansworth & Uxbridge Valley Water Company,
with the exception of five roads in the Perivale Ward which are
served by the Colne Valley Water Company. The remainder of
the Borough is supplied by the Metropolitan Water Board. These
supplies are not subject to plumbo-solvent action and have been
satisfactory both in quantity and quality. Water from public
mains is supplied to 50,974 houses with an estimated population
of 187,600.
Thirteen samples were taken from wells at eight factories
in the Borough using water from deep borings ranging in depth
from 300 to 600 feet. The analysis of these samples showed the
supplies were wholesome in character.
Rivers and Streams.
Several complaints were received during the year regarding
alleged pollution of the River Brent, especially in the Perivale area.
A series of samples were taken from the River at various points
and the results of the analysis indicated that although the stream
was polluted before entering the Borough, additional pollution
was occurring within the Borough. The Middlesex County Council
were informed of the results of the analyses and were requested
to take all possible steps to deal with the pollution of the river
prior to its entering the Borough. We were informed by the
Middlesex County Council that the question of the pollution of the
River Brent was receiving attention in collaboration with the
authorities through whose area the river flows prior to entering
Haling.
Regarding the added pollution within the Borough, copies
of the Analyst's reports were supplied to the Borough Surveyor,
and by the end of the year some sources of pollution had been
ascertained and the necessary steps taken to prevent further
pollution from these sources. Further investigations are proceeding.
Complaints were also received regarding the overflow from
one of the Council's surface water sewers which enters the River
Brent in the Hanwell area. Samples were taken and the analysis
showed that the surface water was contaminated with sewage.
Investigations were carried out and it was found that the soil
drains from four houses in the area were wrongly connected to the
Council's surface water sewer. These four houses have now been
re-drained to the soil sewer.