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SECTION 2
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH OF THE BOROUGH
WATER
There are three sources of supply in the Borough. The Northolt North, Northolt
South, Greenford North, Greenford Central and Greenford South Wards, most of
Perivale Ward and part of Hanger Hill Ward are supplied by the Rickmansworth
and Uxbridge Valley Water Company with the exception of four roads (in part) in
the Perivale Ward and one road (in part) in the Hanger Hill 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 54,909 dwellings with an estimated population of 183,120.
Thirty-one samples were taken from supplies derived from wells at five factories in
the Borough. In these factories water is obtained from deep borings ranging in depth
from 300 to 600 feet. Of these 31 samples, 16 were found to be of satisfactory quality.
The remaining 15 samples consisted of 10 unsatisfactory and five doubtful samples from
two factories. In the case of one factory the pipe lines were thoroughly cleansed and
subsequent samples proved good. In the second case lines were similarly cleansed,
with one exception where the supply line was put out of use and the supply at this
point discontinued.
The 15 samples of water taken from supplies provided by the Metropolitan Water
Board and the Rickmansworth and Uxbridge Valley Water Company, were from four
houses in multiple occupation where water for drinking purposes and for domestic use
was derived from storage tanks and not direct from the rising main. In each case where
doubtful or unsatisfactory results were obtained it was apparent that storage tanks
had become contaminated and required thorough cleansing and covering. In one case,
where investigations had been commenced in 1962, the owner decided to connect a
supply for drinking purposes direct to the rising main. In all the other cases satisfactory
repeat samples were obtained when thorough cleansing of the tanks had been
completed.

During the year the Public Health Committee considered the situation regarding
premises not supplied with drinking water from a rising main. Concern was expressed
over the large number of properties where drinking water was obtainable only from
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