View report page

38
SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE AREA
WATER
Supply
The area is supplied by water by the Colne Valley Water Company
from wells supplied by gathering grounds in the Chilterns.
Before distribution the water is chlorinated and partly dechlorinated;
part of the supply is filtered and most of it is subjected to softening. The
supply has been satisfactory in quantity and quality.
Safety
Responsibility for the wholesomeness of the water supply rests with
the Water Company. In addition, district councils have under Section 111
of the Public Health Act, 1936, responsibility for ascertaining the wholesomeness
of the water supplies of their districts. To this end samples are
submitted periodically for full chemical and bacteriological analysis. In
addition, samples are submitted for analysis of water collected from
houses in which there are persons suffering from complaints which might
have been contracted by consuming water. Particulars of these cases are
passed by the Public Health Department to the Water Company.
The Company carry out regular bacteriological and chemical
examinations of the raw water and of the water going into supply from
the Company's pumping stations, service reservoirs and at the houses of
the consumers. While the results of the chemical and bacteriological
analyses of raw waters were variable, those of water going into supply
were satisfactory.
The following is a copy of the result of the chemical analysis of a
sample of water submitted for examination in February :—
Appearance Clear and bright
Colour 5
pH 7.4
Electric Conductivity 610
Chlorine Present as Chloride 42
Hardness: Total 260
Nitrate Nitrogen 6.2
Ammoniacal Nitrogen 0 013
Albuminoid Nitrogen 0 020
Metals-Iron, Zinc, Copper and Lead:
—Absent
Turbidity Nil
Odour Nil
Free Carbon Dioxide 15
Dissolved Solids dried at 180°C 420
Alkalinity as Calcium Carbonate 180
Carbonate 180 non-carbonate 80
Nitrite Nitrogen Approx. 0.01
Oxygen absorbed 0.60
Residual Chlorine Absent
"This sample is clear and bright in appearance, just on the alkaline
side of neutrality and free from iron and other metals. The water is hard
in character but not to an excessive degree, contains no excess of mineral
constituents and it is of very satisfactory organic quality.