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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.
Ten samples were submitted for bacteriological examination, and all were
satisfactory.
With one exception 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 and Cockfosters area, which is supplied by the Lee
Valley Water Company.
Both water undertakings take frequent samples for chemical 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 undertakings.
I am grateful to the Director of Water Examination of the Metropolitan Water
Board for the following report on the supply to the London Borough of Enfield.
"1. (a) The supply was satisfactory both as to (i) quality, and (ii) quantity
throughout 1969.
(b) 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.
The quality control from these laboratories is carried out by
means of daily sampling from sources of supply, from the treatment
works or well stations, from the distribution system and through to
the consumer. Any sign of contamination or any other abnormality
is immediately investigated.
(c) (i) The Board has no record of the number of structurally separate
dwellings supplied in your area, but the population supplied direct
according to the Registrar-General's estimates at 30th June, 1969,
was 261,126.
(ii) No houses were permanently supplied by standpipe.
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