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(b) On account of their hardness content and alkaline reaction the Board's river and well
water supplies are not considered to be 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. Surveys carried out between 1966 and 1968 on analyses of water
from consumers' premises confirmed this statement.
RAINFALL AND SEWERAGE
Contributed by D.M.P.Sullivan, C.Eng., M.I.C.E., F.I.Mun.E., Borough Engineer and Surveyor
Rainfall
The average rainfall recorded at three stations in the Borough was 21.5 inches which
is slightly below the average annual rainfall of 24 inches due mainly to the exceptionally dry
months of September and October.
One heavy rainstorm occurred on the 3rd August and caused considerable flooding. In
the first three months of the year many areas of open land were waterlogged due to the
exceptionally wet period during the latter half of 1968.
Sewerage
During the year work commenced on the Walthamstow Southern Area (Southern Branch)
Relief Surface Water Sewer, and also on the Leytonstone Area Relief Surface Water Sewer
(Stage I), both of which will be completed in 1971.
Work also commenced on minor relief sewers at Old Church Road/Mansfield Hill and
Valleyside.
The Hale End South Relief Surface Water Scheme (Stage II) was submitted to the
Ministry of Housing and Local Government but approval has not yet been received.
The Greater London Council have vested in themselves the main Outfall foul sewers
from Walthamstow and Leyton to Hackney, together with the storm water tanks at Low Hall
and Auckland Road Depots and the ancillary works. They have also notified the Council that
they propose to vest in themselves the Walthamstow Northern Relief Sewer, the Chingford
Western Interceptor and the Chingford Eastern Interceptor.
Sewage Disposal
Sewage disposal is carried out by the Greater London Council and this Council has no
responsibilities in this connection.
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