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b) The Board's river and well sources have not been considered to have a
plumbo-solvent action, on account of their hardness content and alkaline
reaction. It should, however, be appreciated that all types of water pick up
varying amounts of metal from piping, particularly when it is newly installed;
this applies to copper, zinc, iron and also lead.
Tests for lead have been carried out in connection with chemical analyses
of samples of running water collected from premises in the distribution system
and I set out below the information obtained over the period 1st January to
31st December. 1967:

The above figures apply to the whole of the Board's area but it should
be pointed out that the general characteristics of the water are similar
throughout the area so that the findings are applicable to individual Boroughs.
The regular system of examination for lead in water in domestic premises
will continue during 1968."
3 (a) During the year, 104 samples of swimming bath water were taken from the
six pools in the Borough and were submitted for bacteriological examination to the
Public Health Laboratory Service. The recommended standard is that 75% of samples
should have a colony count of less than 10 per ml., the remainder less than 100; 89
samples were satisfactory and the remaining 15 were below the recommended standard,
but on each occasion repeat samples produced satisfactory results.
All samples taken from three of the open air pools were satisfactory. In another
case the overall results were not satisfactory. This failure to obtain the required
standard was due to a mechanical breakdown and I am glad to report that with the
close co-operation of the Baths Manager the last 9 samples were all satisfactory, thus
indicating that the trouble had been remedied well before the end of the season.
In two other pools out of a total of 57 samples taken, four were below standard,
although over 75% of the samples were within the recommended standard. Coliform
bacilli, which indicates faecal contamination, were absent in all samples.
(b) Two samples of water were taken after illness thought to be caused by
drinking mains water, and one following a complaint of peculiar smell connected with
mains water. A further sample was taken from a flooded basement to trace possible
faecal contamination. All four samples were bacteriologically satisfactory.
(c) One sample of well water was submitted to the Public Analyst for chemical
examination for lead content following a circular from the Ministry of Housing and
Local Government to all local authorities suggesting that supplies from this source
should be checked. The Analyst's report was that no lead was detected.
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