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18
SECTION C—SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES.
Water Supply.
Richmond has two separate sources of drinking water:—
(a) From local wells.
(b) From the Metropolitan Water Board.
The origin and method of treatment of these supplies have been
fully reported in previous years and remain unchanged.
Both supplies are treated by chlorination: and very close
observation of the purity of the water is maintained by frequent
examinations of the water samples.
During the year the following samples were taken for examination:—
(a) Richmond Water Supply.
Untreated water 249 samples
Treated water 347 samples
For chemical analysis 30 samples
Every sample of treated water passing into public supply was of
the highest standard of bacterial purity.
Chemical analysis of samples showed that the organic quality of
the water maintained a high and satisfactory standard.
(b) Metropolitan Water Board Supply.
Samples examined bacteriologically 801
Samples examined chemically 236
The results of these examinations indicated that a very high
standard of chemical and bacteriological purity was maintained
throughout the year.
In addition to these two supplies of drinking water there is a
supply of raw river water which is delivered to Kew Gardens, allotments
and to the gardens of a proportion of the residences in
Richmond. The water is chlorinated as a precautionary measure
but is not fit for drinking. Fifty-two samples of river water were
bacteriologically examined during the year.