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12
Section C—SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES
OF THE AREA.
Water Supplies.
A hard, pure and constant piped water supply is provided
by the Metropolitan Water Board, and the supply has been
satisfactory throughout the year, both in quality and quantity.
One sample of water was taken during the year from a
dwelling house in the district, on account of four of the occupants
suffering from gastro-enteritis of unknown origin. The
Bacteriologist reported the water to be of a high standard of
purity, suitable for drinking and domestic purposes.
In December, a sample was taken from an artesian well
which supplies water to farm premises, and was used in the
cooler and for bottle washing. The well is in gravel subsoil
and a previous sample, taken in July, 1930, was found on
examination to be bacteriologically of a high standard of purity.
The results of the bacteriological examination of the sample
taken in 1937, however, showed evidence of a slight contamination,
inasmuch as excretal bacilli, such as Bacillus Coli, were
present in 50 c.c., though absent in 20 c.c.
Immediate action was taken and the use of the water for
dairy purposes prohibited. Further samples have been examined,
the results of which have been satisfactory, but at the time of
writing this report the prohibition had not been removed.
The wisdom of periodic sampling is appreciated and the
Council has made the necessary arrangements to this end.
Work has continued on the second reservoir of the Metropolitan
Water Board in the Lea Valley, reference to which was
made in the report for 1935.
Drainage and Sewerage.
No important extension of the sewerage system was carried
out by the local authority during the year, but many new sewers
were laid down by builders in the development of new estates.
The scheme tor additional drainage in the south-west part
of the district, to deal with surface water flooding, was completed
during the year, and a scheme for the relief of the Chingford
Mount Road and Bateman Road sewers in times of storm is now
under construction. Part of the main scheme for the piping
of ditches and flood prevention on the Chingford Hall Estate
has been submitted to the Ministry of Health for their approval,
and the remaining portion of the Scheme is now in course of
preparation.
Rivers and Streams,
Action was taken on various occasions during the year to
check pollution of ditches and streams in the district. Attention
was given from this Department from time to time on the
general cleansing of water courses.
Closet Accommodation.
The whole district is on the water carriage system, with the
exception of three cottages in isolated parts of the town and two
houses in the area recently added to the district which are served
by one cesspool. This cesspool is emptied as required.