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The Colne Valley water is derived from deep wells sunk into
the chalk and before distribution to the consumers the water is under
constant supervision of a chemical and bacteriological staff which
carries out examinations in modern laboratories situated at the works.
The water supplied by the Metropolitan Water Board is selected
Thames water which has been subjected to purification by storage in
which time it is freed of the bulk of organisms. It is filtered through
rapid and then slow filters, attaining a degree of purity which compares
favourably with the general supplies in Great Britain, but as a
further safe-guard terminal chlorination is applied which ensures a
first-class water in every respect. Samples of water are examined
bacteriologically, chemically and for taste and other special purposes
on every working day.
The supply to all areas was satisfactory in quality and quantity.
Number of dwelling houses supplied from Public Water Mains:—
(a) direct to houses 42,329
(b) by means of stand-pipes —
Number of the population supplied from Public Water Mains:—
(a) direct to houses 156,400
(b) by means of stand-pipes —
HOUSING.
I am indebted to the Housing Officer for the following observations
and statistics relevant to the housing situation in the Borough
during the year under review:—
"The Council has made every endeavour to further the provision
of accommodation for inadequately housed families during 1952, and
the figure of 279 families rehoused in Hendon shows an increase over
the previous year's total. Despite this a steady receipt of new
applications is maintained and approximately 5,000 applicants are
now known to be in need of alternative accommodation.
The increase of allocations of houses and flats to Hendon families
continues in the new and expanding towns of Hemel Hempstead,
Stevenage, Hatfield and Blechley and development of these and other
towns in the years to come promises to be a major feature in assisting
applicants to find suitable employment and a home nearby. Since
development commenced some 250 families from Hendon have been
found accommodation in these areas.
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