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widowers and 309 divorced. Of a total of 69,397 females 25,637
were single, 36,901 were married, 6,305 were widowed and 554
were divorced. The Census report states "The most significant
feature of the distributions by marital condition is the increase
since 1931 in proportions married, particularly in the younger
age groups. It is due in part to the tendency of people to marry
earlier than formerly. At age 20-24 in Middlesex there are now
210 males married per thousand as compared with only 139 in
1931 and 431 females per thousand compared with 247 in 1931.
For females there are increases at every age."
3. WATER SUPPLY. The water supply of the Borough,
which is provided by the Colne Valley Water Co., except for a
small area in the southern end of the district supplied by the
Rickmansworth and Uxbridge Valley Water Co., remained satisfactory
in quality and quantity. The supply is pumped from
deep wells in the chalk outside the Borough boundaries. All of
the samples taken from piped supplies were reported as satisfactory.
No tendency to plumbo solvent action has been detected.
All dwelling houses in the Borough are provided with a mains
water supply.
There is a number of private wells in the Borough all in
connection with industrial undertakings, but in no instance is the
water from these sources used for drinking.
The Council have continued to express their concern at the
hardness of the public water supplies which expressed a total
hardness range from 180—240 parts per million. Whilst there
would not appear to be evidence of prejudicial effects to health
from such hard water i.ts detrimental effects on boilers and hot
water systems are well-known.
4. SWIMMING POOLS. The two outdoor Swimming Pools
have continued to be a source of enjoyment and healthy recreation.
"Breakpoint" chlorination or superchlorination which was installed
just prior to the 1951 season has made it possible to maintain a
sparkling clear water, together with a minimum risk of infection.
Attendances at the Pools during the year were:—
Kingsbury 121,652
Vale Farm, Wembley 100,117
5. RIVERS AND STREAMS. This subject was dealt with
in considerable detail in the report for 1952, including a description
of the various water courses and sources of pollution. Considerable
efforts were continued during 1953 to trace sources of
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