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118
WATER SUPPLY
The main water supply in the borough is provided by the
Metropolitan Water Board, and I am indebted to the Director of
Water Examination of that Authority for the following information:—
1.(a) The supply was satisfactory both as to (i) quality, and (ii)
quantity throughout 1970.
(b) All new and repaired mains are disinfected with chlorine;
after a predetermined period of contact the pipes are flushed
out and refilled; samples of water are then collected from
these treated mains; and the mains are returned to service
only after the analytical results are found to be satisfactory.
The quality control from these laboratories is carried out by
means of daily sampling from sources of supply, from the
treatment works or well stations, from the distribution
system, and through to the consumer. Any sign of contamination
or any other abnormality is immediately investigated.
(c) (i) The Board has no record of the number of structurally
separate dwellings supplied in your area, but the population
supplied direct according to the Registrar-General's
estimates at 30th June, 1970, was 301,643.
(ii) No houses were permanently supplied by standpipe.
(d) No artificial fluoride is being added, and where the fluoride
content is indicated in the analyses it represents the naturally
occurring fluoride in the water.
2. (a) The supply was derived from the following works and
pumping stations:—
River Thames—derived and well water from Merton, Shortlands,
West Wickham, Orpington, North Orpington,
Sundridge, Lullingstone, Eynsford, Horton Kirby and Jewels
Wood pumping stations.
No new sources of supply were instituted and there were
no changes to the general scheme of supply in your area.
The number of samples collected and the bacteriological
and chemical analyses of the supply from the above sources
after treatment are shown on the attached sheets.
(b) On account of their hardness content and alkaline reaction
the Board's river and well water supplies are shown to be not
plumbo-solvent. It should, however, be appreciated that all
types of water pick up varying amounts of metal from the
material of water piping particularly when it is newly
installed; this applies to copper, zinc, iron and also to lead.