London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Orpington 1946
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Orpington]
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10
DRAINAGE.
The houses in the main portion of the District are on the water
carriage system, and most of the houses are connected to the public
sewers.
Work in connection with the extension of the sewer to Knockholt
was completed during the year, and two connections were made to this
sewer, one in Knockholt Village and one in Hookwood Road, Pratts
Bottom, to drain Council houses. It is anticipated that advantage
will be taken by the owners of properties in the Southern area for the
connection of houses to the new sewer when conditions become more
normal.
| Number of houses connected to the sewers. | No. of houses not connected to the sewers. | No, of houses not provided with a piped water supply. | No. of wells still in use for purpose of domestic supply. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12719 | 2948 | 351 | 6 |
| W.C.'s | Pan or Pail Closets. | Midden Privies. | Cesspools | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. of | No. of houses connected. | |||
| 15378 | 294 | 13 | 2201 | 2621 |
WATER SUPPLY.
The mains of the Metropolitan Water Board supply the greater
portion of the District. In some outlying parts, however, water is
obtained from deep wells, and from rain water collected from the roofs
of houses and stored in tanks.
During the year extensions of the water mains were carried out
at Bridge Road, Willersley Avenue, Cray Avenue, Robin Hood Green
and Mountfield Estate, St. Mary Cray, and also at Downe.
The water supply has been satisfactory both as regards quality
and quantity. Bacteriological examinations of the Board's water are
made monthly, an average of four samples being collected each month.
No contamination of the water was found during the year, and
there does not appear to be any risk of plumbo-solvent action.