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10
A total of about 3,300 chemical, bacteriological and biological
examinations have been made and all water going into supply was
wholesome.
In addition, analyses have also been made of samples obtained
from consumers' taps in the various parts of the Company's district,
including that of your Council, and all proved to be satisfactory.
The water supplied is not plumbo-solvent.
No action has been necessary in respect to any form of contamination.
The number of dwelling houses supplied as at 31st December,
1946, was '27,450, and the population in December 1946 as obtained
from the Registrar-General was 99,090."
In accordance with Ministry of Health Circular 1684/38, systematic
sampling is carried out by the Department in conjunction
with other local authorities obtaining their supplies from the South
Essex Waterworks Company. These samples were taken on the
second Monday in each month throughout the year and were submitted
to the Counties Public Health Laboratories for bacteriological
and chemical examination. A typical report is as follows :—
" This sample is clear and bright in appearance, neutral in
reaction and free from metals apart from a negligible trace of iron.
The water is hard in character, but not to an excessive degree, and
is free from any excess of mineral or saline constituents in solution.
It is of a satisfactory standard of organic quality and bacterial
purity.
These results are indicative of a pure and wholesome water
suitable for drinking and domestic purposes."
Standpipes.
Approximately 0.7 per cent. of the inhabitated houses, and
0.7 per cent. of the population of the Urban District obtain their
water from standpipes.
Certain areas of the district have not got a main water supply
and in view of the predominantly rural nature of these areas it is
in no way expressing support of a non-progressive policy to say that
a considerable time is likely to elapse before main water will in fact
be provided for these areas.
During the year the Acting Medical Officer of Health, at your
request, obtained for analysis samples of water from certain wells.
This policy of sampling was continued subsequently and the results
considered. It must, unfortunately, be recorded that the water