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23
SECTION C.
SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE AREA.
(i) Water Supply.—The district is served by the Metropolitan Water
Board and the South Essex Waterworks Co., both maintaining a constant
supply. The subject of the water supply of the Borough was dealt with at
length in the Report for 1945.
The part of Ilford within the area of the Metropolitan Water Board is
supplied with water derived from the River Lea, which after passing through
storage reservoirs is filtered and chlorinated at Lea Bridge and Ferry Lane,
and pumped from those works. An additional amount of water is supplied
from Wanstead Well.
Samples of the water in all stages of purification are analysed daily at
the laboratories of the Board.
Lieutenant-Colonel E. F. W. Mackenzie, Director of Water Examination
of the Board has kindly supplied me with the information that 2,277
samples of filtered water were submitted to chemical and bacteriological
examination and found to be pure and wholesome. All new and repaired
mains are chlorinated before being restored to use and samples of water
from them are tested bacteriologically. The water is not plumbo-solvent.
The length of mains laid by the Metropolitan Water Board in Ilford
during 1949 was 667 yards of 4-inch.
The water to the other part of the area is supplied by the South
Essex Waterworks Co. The supply is obtained from the River Stour and
from deep wells at Mill Road, Grove Road and Roding Lane.
Mr. Hugh G. Ramsay, Engineer to the South Essex Waterworks Co.,
has kindly supplied me with the information that over 3,800 chemical,
bacteriological and biological examinations were made at the Langham
laboratory, and all were reported as wholesome. The samples taken were
from wells and houses in various parts of the area.
The length of mains laid by the South Essex Waterworks Co. in Ilford
during 1949 was 151 yards of 4-inch, and 111 yards of 6-inch.
There are now no public wells in existence. There are a few private
wells for domestic and commercial purposes.
2 samples of piped water supply (1 South Essex Waterworks Co. and 1
Metropolitan Water Board) were taken for chemical and bacteriological
examination, and both gave satisfactory analyses.
(ii) Drainage and Sewerage.—The Borough Engineer has kindly
supplied me with the following statement: —
In connection with the proposals for the improvement of the main
Surface Water drainage system of the Borough, it has been necessary
to promote a Bill in Parliament with the object of obtaining powers to
deal with that portion of the scheme which relates to the improvement
of natural watercourses; these natural watercourses being privately owned
and, therefore, outside the control of the Council except for matters
connected with public health and any danger thereto.
Inasmuch as the watercourses referred to are widely distributed over
the Borough, a considerable amount of work was entailed in the preparation
of the plans, sections and estimate and in the preparation of the
Book of Reference which accompanied the Bill. Following the holding
of the Town's Meeting at which the Bill received approval, it was duly
deposited in Parliament.
Flooding of Streams. Despite a somewhat dry year there were
again instances of flooding in many and widely distributed parts of the
Borough and affecting each of the main watercourses.
Pollution of Streams.
With one exception, there were no serious instances of pollution of
watercourses during the year 1949. Minor pollution occurred to the