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36
SECTION C
SANITARY AND ENVIRONMENTAL
CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE AREA.
WATER.
I am indebted to the Clerk, and the Director of Water
Examination of the Metropolitan Water Board, for the following
information on the supply of water to the Borough during the
year 1953:—
"No new source of public water supply has been instituted in
the Council's area during 1953, and there have been no extensions
of trunk mains, but lengths of service mains have been laid within
the Borough. The supply generally has been satisfactory as
regards quantity. The higher level of the area is supplied from
Shortlands well and by Thames-derived filtered water from Walton
works; the lower level is supplied from West Wickham and
Orpington wells with additional Thames-derived water during the
summer months.
All the Thames-derived water is chlorinated before it leaves
the works. The well water is also chlorinated, but any residual
chlorine is completely removed before the water leaves the works.
Bacteriological analyses of all supplies are made at least five
times a week and in the case of the river-derived supply the water
is tested bacteriologically at all stages of purification. All new
and repaired mains are disinfected with chlorine before being
restored to use and samples of water from them are tested to
establish that the quality of the water is up to the standard normally
supplied.
None of the supplies is plumbo-solvent.
The closest watch is kept for any evidence of deterioration in
quality whether physical, chemical, bacteriological or biological
and immediate action is taken if the results of analyses are not up
to standard.
Tables giving the average results of the chemical and
bacteriological analyses of the various supplies to the area for 1953
are attached."