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 1947
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Orpington]
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SANITARY STATISTICS.
| Number of houses connected to the sewers. | No. of houses not connected to the sewers. | Not of houses not provided with a piped water supply. | No. of wells still in use for purpose of domestic supply. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12946 | 2923 | 347 | 13 |
Sanitary Conveniences.
| W.C.'s | Pan or Pail Closets. | Midden Privies. | Cesspools | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. of | No. of houses connected. | |||
| 15580 | 263 | 9 | 2176 | 2596 |
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 Star Lane, Uplands Road, etc., Downe, and also in Biggin Hill
Valley. This involved the laying of approximately 9,880 yards of
4in. mains.
The supply has been satisfactory both in quality and quantity.
Bacteriological examination of the water supplied by the Board is
carried out each month, an average of four samples being collected
on each occasion.
No contamination of the water was found during the year, and
there does not appear to be any risk of plumbo-solvent action.
During the year 40 samples of water were bacteriologically
examined of which 39 proved satisfactory. Two chemical analyses of
water other than that obtained from the Board's mains which were
used for domestic purposes were made and in each case proved
satisfactory.