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It is understood that the Water Company carry out routine
bacteriological examinations of the raw and finished water daily from
the wells at Sutton and Woodmansterne, and also of the treated water
going into supply.
Routine chemical examinations are also carried out. The raw
water from the deep wells is of a relatively high degree of hardness.
The company are under a statutory obligation (Sutton District Waterworks
Act, 1903) to deliver water of not more than 9 degrees of hardness,
and an elaborate softening plant is in. use.
During the year 31 samples of water taken in the district by the
Sanitary Inspectors were examined by the Public Analyst.
From these analyses the water supply is shown to be satisfactory
both in chemical and bacteriological purity, and no cases of illness
associated with pollution of water supplies were recorded during the
year.
The chlorination of water from private wells situated in industrial
premises was continued throughout the year.
DRAINAGE AND SEWERAGE.
No major difficulties were experienced in the maintenance and
cleansing of soil and storm water drainage systems during the year.
Flooding took place under the Manor Road railway bridge on one
occasion following a storm of exceptional intensity. The water rose to
a height of about three feet, but got away quickly as soon as the storm
abated.
RIVERS AND STREAMS.
The River Wandle and its tributaries were maintained throughout
1947 and various parts of the river bed were cleansed of silt and
obstructions.
During the year the Surrey County Council assumed responsibility
for the maintenance of that portion of the River Wandle north of the
Carshalton railway line. They were already maintaining the Carshalton
side of the river, and the Council considered that no good case could be
made out for the division of authority.
Following the heavy storm referred to in the previous paragraph,
slight flooding took place in Beddington Village, but the duration was
short and damage was only slight.
Following the very dry summer the springs at Waddon Ponds, which
feed the head of the Wandle, dried up in the Autumn and the flow of
the river was reduced almost to nothing. The conditions arising from
this lack of flow are far from satisfactory and constant vigilance is necessary
to ensure that no nuisance arises. Following a relatively dry
Winter it is not anticipated that the springs will commence to flow again
until 1949.
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