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to be a good one I regret that at least, Hornchurch was not permitted
to retain that degree of independence which might have
been accorded to it as an area privileged to have its own SubCommittee
for the administration locally of the Act.
The Act will in the long run be judged in the light both of its
performance and its promise, and it must therefore be our endeavour
that so far as lies within our power the two should be made to
coincide.
Health Propaganda.
There exists considerable unity of interest with the County
Council in this sphere of activity and the closest identity of effort
is necessary if our mutual endeavours are to produce the maximum
effect. This point is borne in mind and an endeavour has been
made to unify cur efforts in this regard.
SECTION C.
SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES OP THE AREA.
Water.
The general pipe supply to the area is excellent if hard, and
meetings were held during the year to consider softening proposals.
Although the medical considerations directly bearing upon hard
water nun not be weighty, indirectly it is a grave inconvenience—
especially at the present time when soap is limited— for a housewife
to endure, if at the same time she has to maintain a high standard
of household and personal cleanliness. Water should be supplied
ready for easy use and the advantages conferred locally by the
ownership of a water softener demonstrate that the question of
undue hardness is of the utmost practical importance.
We have a certain number of wells sited rurally and with very
limited supply areas, and these inevitably present their difficulties,
depending as they do mainly upon surface supplies.
The provision of a pipe supply in lieu of well water has been
pursued vigorously with interested parties (decision finally may not
rest with the local council) but to date it has not been possible to
achieve finality.
The boiling of all water for drinking or domestic purposes
represents a pastime of which one would speedily pall. This is
recognised to the full and will serve to maintain our interest until
the most effective practical action has been taken to prevent its
necessity.
The South Essex Waterworks Company were good enough to
supply us with the following details :—
"The water supply to the whole of your area has been satisfactory
in quality and quantity.
Bacteriological and chemical examinations are made of the
raw water, of the water in its various stages of treatment and of the
water going into supply.
A total of over 3,300 chemical, bacteriological and biological
examinations have been made and all water going into supply was
wholesome.