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39
From the aspect of the chemical analysis, these results are indicative
of a pure and wholesome water suitable for drinking and domestic
purposes."
The following which is a summary of the bacteriological examination
of a sample submitted for analysis in August, is typical of other reports:—
"No coliform bacilli present in 100 ml in MacConkey incubated for
two days at 37°C; no faecal coli per 100 ml."
There is no evidence that the water is plumbo-solvent.
There are no houses in the district supplied by stand pipe only.
Fluoridation of Water Supplies. All trials carried out into the
effect of the fluoridation of water on the incidence of caries of the teeth
point quite definitely to this treetment bringing about a saving of one
half of dental decay, with no harm to anyone. The report of the Ministry
of Health trials in this country expected shortly will almost certainly be
on the same lines as the results of the trials in other parts of the world;
just as certainly its publication will be followed by intense activity of those
who oppose the practice on various grounds. This opposition doubtless
will be sufficiently strong in some localities as to deter those responsible
for supplying water in those areas from adopting the practice of adding
fluorides to the water. Elsewhere where opposition is less intense the
water will be treated and the consumers benefit markedly. The fluoride
content of each sample of water from this district was found to be less
than 0.1 p.p.m.
Water Supplies and Fall-out. Concern has been expressed at the
various effects of fall-out from the nuclear tests, including the risk of
contamination of water supplies, especially where large surfaces of fresh
water are exposed. In replying to a question in the House as to what steps
were taken to maintain a monitoring service of the exposed water, the
Parliamentary Secretary for Science said that a representative selection of
public sources had been monitored for several years for radio-active
strontium and caesium. In addition, following the resumption of nuclear
tests, special arrangements were made to test water supplies for iodine 131.
The results had not shown any appreciable amount of this isotope in
water supplies from large areas of fresh water.
DRAINAGE AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL
The soil sewage from this district flows to the West Middlesex
drainage Works at Mogden. Surface water finds its way out of the district
by the various water courses. The Annual Report for 1954 set out the
arrangements for the disposal and treatment of the sewage of the district
and the drainage.