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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 supply 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,
1947, was 28,363, and the population as at 30th September, 1947,
as obtained from the Registrar-General was 100,930."
Approximately 0.7 per cent, of the inhabited houses, and 0.7
per cent. of the population of the Urban District obtain their water
from standpipes.
Systematic sampling was carried out by the Department
during the year in conjunction with other local authorities obtaining
their supplies from the South Essex Waterworks Company. In all
cases satisfactory reports were received. A typical report is as
follows:—
"This sample is clear and bright in appearance, free from
metals apart from a negligible trace of iron and its reaction is on
the alkaline side of neutrality. It is hard in character but not
unduly so, while its salinity and content of mineral constituents in
solution are not excessive. The water is of satisfactory organic
quality and of a satisfactory standard of bacterial purity.
These results are consistent with a pure and wholesome water
suitable for public supply purposes."
Closet Accommodation.
At the end of the year a scheme had almost achieved completion
whereby the pail closets in a group of some 6 houses had been
replaced by water carriage system, with coincident alteration to
deal with the households' waste water. The Council contributed
to the first part of this scheme under Section 47 of the Public
Health Act, 1936. The result has been to obliterate at least one
example of the pail closet/garden/well triangle which is so
dangerous.
It is indeed surprising that persons living under relatively
primitive sanitary circumstances do not suffer more from conditions
associated with such elementary amenities. Perhaps they develop
immunity; perhaps we just do not hear of their illnesses.
Smoke Abatement.
As you know, proposals were formulated for making a series
of atmospheric observations in this District.
The lack of suitable fuel and the lack of suitable appliances for
utilising it are alike inopportune factors in the planning of an
immediate radical attack on smoky atmosphere. The appearance
of the buildings in our cities is, however, ample memorial to the
failure of our efforts over a long period.
The prevention of a smoke and grit laden atmosphere is much
more important that its suitable dispersal, and domestic smoke also
must shoulder a material responsibility for the present unsatisfactory
conditions,