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26
Water from wells sunk in chalk does not present much difficulty. It is
usually of high quality and has only to be chlorinated. The water from
streams and rivers, however, presents great difficulty in view of the amount
of sewage and industrial pollution. Infinite care is taken to render it
safe and wholesome by
(i) Storage
(ii) Filtration and
(iii) Chemical treatment
Each of these processes is carried out under strict supervision and
continuous testing of samples. Last year 110,000 examinations of water were
carried out in the Board's laboratory. These consisted of chemical and
bacteriological analyses as well as tests for taste. These tests showed
that London" s water supplies reached the high standard of purity the Board
sets for its water.
Each year in my annual report I include a report from Dr. E. Windle
Taylor, Director of Water Examination of the Metropolitan Water Board,who this
year has kindly supplied the following information regarding Tottenham's water
supplies:-
"The supply to the Borough of Tottenham has been satisfactory both in
quantity and quality during the year 1958.
The Borough is supplied from two main river derived sources, namely the
New River and the River Thames together with well water from Park Well Pumping
Station during the summer months in the locality of Northumberland Park.
Details of the analytical results of the water passing into supply are set
out on the attached sheet.
Samples are collected on five days in every week, or more often if
necessary, at each stage of the purification process and from the distribution
system. Tests include physical, chemical and micro-biological examination.
All new and repaired mains are disinfected with chlorine before being
put into service and samples of water from them are tested bacteriologically
to ensure that its quality is up to that normally supplied.
The water supplied to this area is not plumbo-solvent.
With regard to fluoridation the policy of the Metropolitan Water Board
with regard to London's water supply remains the same, namely that they do
not propose to make any decision until some definite pronouncement or lead is
forthcoming from the Ministry of Health on the question of the fluoridation
of water supplies generally in this country. Four areas were chosen for
artificial fluoridation, namely Andover, Anglesey, Kilmarnock and Watford, and
addition of fluoride to the water supplies in these areas commenced in 1956.
Andover ceased to apply fluoride to the water in July 1958 as a result of
public opinion.