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22
SECTION 2
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 51,131 houses with an estimated population
of 187,000.
Nine 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.
Investigations into the sources of pollution of the River
Brent were continued during the year. As this question concerns
the Middlesex County Council and a number of Local Authorities
in Middlesex, a Conference was called to consider the matter.
This Conference was attended by representatives from the Middlesex
County Council and from the Boroughs of Brentford & Chiswick,
Ealing, Hendon, Southall, Wembley and Willesden.
It was agreed that the pollution of the River Brent could be
divided into three main sections :
1. Material which was deposited, of a solid or liquid nature,
either on the banks or directly into the river. (The former being
washed into the river when it is in flood.).
2. Polluted surface water sewers and ditches.
3. Storm water overflows from Local Authority sewerage
systems.
With regard to (1) the County Council representative stated
that action was being taken under the provisions of the Rivers
(Prevention of Pollution) Act, 1951, but so far only a slight improvement
in the situation could be reported.
On the question of (2) polluted surface water sewers, samples
were being taken regularly by the County Council from suspected
outfalls and the results communicated to the Local Authorities
concerned.