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46
WATER SUPPLY
The District has its water supply from the East London Water Company.
There were no systematic monthly analyses made of the water
during the earlier months ot the year, as the Reports furnished monthly
to the Registrar-General from the Government Laboratory were considered
satisfactory and no illness existed in the district that might
reasonably be attributed to the drinking water supplied.
In July and August there was a greater amount than usual of
diarrhoeal sickness in adults, followed by a much greater amount in
September and October and an unusual amount of Enteric.
In consequence of this sickness, several examinations of the water
were made by your Analyst, Mr. Leo Taylor, F.I.C., and were unfavourably
reported on by him.
In July the Analysis gave the following figures:-
Chlorine 2 grains per gallon.
Free Ammonia 158 parts per million.
Albuminoid Ammonia 224 parts „
Oxygen required to oxidise Organic Matter 1.764 ,,
and Mr. Taylor's remarks were—"This water is extremely unsatisfactory.
The amount of organic matter present is very excessive, and although
it is largely of vegetable origin, renders the water unsuitable for drinking
purposes."
In August the Analysis furnished the following figures:—
Chlorine 2.05 grains per gallon.
Free Ammonia .012 parts per million.
Albuminoid Ammonia .192 parts „
Oxygen required to oxidise Organic Matter .892 „
and the Analyst remarks—"This is an exceedingly unsatisfactory
sample, the Organic contents are very much higher than is permissible
in a drinking water, and renders the water in my opinion unfit for
consumption.
In September the Analysis was:—
Chlorine 1.6 grains per gallon.
Free Ammonia .008 parts „
Albuminoid Ammonia .208 parts ,,
Oxygen required to oxidise Organic Matter .920 parts „
and the remarks—"The organic matter in this water is very excessive
and renders the condemnation of the water imperative. In its present