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25
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 Lee, which after passing through
storage reservoirs is filtered and chlorinated at Lee Bridge and Ferry Lane,
and pumped from those works. Contact tanks are now in operation at these
works in which the dose of chlorine is able to exert its full effect before the
water passes into the distribution system. An additional amount of water
is supplied to the area 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 495 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 1951 was two yards of 3-inch, 504 yards of 4-inch and 289 yards of
6-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 3,500 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. No mains extensions
were carried out by the Company during the year.
There are now no public wells in existence. There are a few private
wells for domestic and commercial purposes.
4 samples of piped water supply (2 South Essex Waterworks Co. and
2 Metropolitan Water Board) were taken for chemical and bacteriological
examination, and all gave satisfactory analyses.
(ii) Drainage and Sewerage.—The Borough Engineer has kindly
supplied me with the following statement:—
(a) Ilford Corporation (Drainage) Act, 1950:
Applications for Main Drainage works affecting the soil and surface
water sewerage of the western area of the Borough and amounting in
value to some £360,000 to be spread over 3 years were submitted to the
Ministry of Housing and Local Government.
The Minister stated that the commencement of these works would
have to be delayed as a measure of economy and the Council were
considering making further representations regarding the soil sewerage
part of the proposals.
(b) Ilford and Barking Joint Sewerage Committee :
Application to the Ministry for sanction to renew the screening plant
and to provide a building round the new screening plant was similarly
deferred.
Flooding of Streams. No serious flooding of streams occurred
during the year.