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WATER SUPPLY
All houses in the Borough have piped water supply. The majority are
supplied by the Sutton District Water Company, a few near the northern
boundary are supplied by the Metropolitan Water Board. There are private
wells at hospitals, factories and a school.
The average Fluoride content of the water is 0.1 parts per million.
The Sutton Company draws its supplies from wells in the chalk at
Carshalton, Woodmansterne, Sutton and Cheam, and is under statutory
obligation to soften the water to 9 of hardness.
I am indebted to Mr. E.G.B. Gledhill, B.Sc., M.I.Mech. E., M.I.W.E.,
A.M.I.C.E., A.M.I. Struc.E., Engineer and Manager of the Sutton District
Water Company, for the following information relating to 1969:-
1. The total rainfall recorded at Burgh Heath during the year was 717 mm.
(28.23 ins.), a decrease of 67.3 mm. (2.65 ins.) compared with the
standard 35 year average (1916-1950) of 784 mm. (3O.88 ins.).
January was a mild month but February proved comparatively cold with
snowfalls and moderate to severe frosts. Snow also fell towards the
middle and latter parts of December but amounts generally were small.
As in previous years the rainfall at Burgh Heath is assumed to be
indicative of the average rainfall over the catchment area on which
the Company's wells depend for replenishment, and the above comments
refer to this station only.
2. The underground water levels which were high as a result of the
exceptional rainfall in the preceding year dropped rapidly in June
as the warm weather continued. This fall was halted towards the
latter part of October and the levels at the end of December were
normal for the time of year.
3. Supply and Consumption. In 1968 the average daily consumption for
the year was less than in 1967. In 1969, however, the normal trend
was restored and the average daily consumption showed a relatively
large increase compared with the corresponding figure for 1968.
Much of this increase is attributed to the prolonged spells of
warmer weather which, inevitably, increased the demand for water,
particularly for garden watering. The comparable figures for 1968/69
are as follows:-
1968 1969
Average daily consumption for year 55.050 C.M.D. (12,111,000 G.P.D.) 58,105 C.M.D.
(12,783,000 G.P.D.)
Average daily consumption
during week of maximum demand 67,950 C.M.D. (14,949,000 G.P.D.) 79.350 C.M.D.
(17,457,000 G.P.D.)
Maximum daily consumption 71,704 C.M.D. (15,775,000 G.P.D.) 88,000 C.M.D.
(19,360,000 G.P.D.)
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