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WATER SUPPLY
Part IV of the Public Health Act, 1936, as amended by Section 28 of the Water
Act, 1945, and Section 78 of the Public Health Act, 1961, makes it the duty of every
local authority to take such steps as are necessary for ascertaining the sufficiency
and wholesomeness of water supplies within their district.
Twelve samples were submitted for bacteriological examination, only one of
which was unsatisfactory. A bacteriological report on this sample of well water
used for drinking purposes indicated faecal pollution. This was traced to contamination
by birds due to a faulty cover to the storage tank. The cover was renewed
and further samples proved satisfactory. The owner is now investigating the possibility
of connecting to the mains supply.
With the one exception mentioned above the water supply to all dwellings in
the Borough is direct from the public mains supply.
The Metropolitan Water Board supplies almost the whole of the Borough
apart from the Hadley Wood, Cockfosters area, which is supplied by the Lee Valley
Water Company.
Both the water companies take frequent samples for chemical analysis and
bacteriological examination. No adverse reports were made during the year, all
samples conforming to the standards of purity considered suitable for public safety.
The waters are not liable to have plumbo-solvent action and the fluoride
content is insignificant.
Full details of water supply are published annually by the two water
companies.
I am grateful to the Director of Water Examination of the Metropolitan Water
Board for the following report on the water supply to the London Borough of
Enfield for 1966:
"The supply was satisfactory both as to quality and quantity throughout
1966.
" The supply was derived from the following works and pumping stations:
" River Thames derived water to the west and north with some water from
wells at Hoe Lane, Hadley Road and Waltham Abbey Pumping Stations. The
south-east portion in Edmonton receives New River water. Part of the western
boundary of the Borough is supplied by the Lee Valley Water Company.
"No new sources of supply were instituted.
"The number of samples collected and the bacteriological and chemical
analyses of the supply from the above sources after treatment are shown in the
statistical tables. No fluoride was added, and where the fluoride content is
indicated it represents the naturally occurring fluoride in the water.
" The supply being hard in character is not liable to be plumbo-solvent.
"All new and repaired mains are disinfected with chlorine, after a predetermined
period of contact the pipes are flushed out and refilled; samples
of water are then collected from these treated mains; and the mains are returned
to service only after results are found to be satisfactory.
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