[Report 1894] / Medical Officer of Health, Watford U.D.C.

  • Watford (England). Urban District Council.
Date:
1894
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1894] / Medical Officer of Health, Watford U.D.C. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Subjoined is analysis of the Watford water, copied from 6th Report of the River Pollution Commissioners. In Parts per 100,000 Total Solid Impurity. Organic Carbon. Organic Nitrogen . Ammonia . Nitrogen as Nitrates and Nitrites .. Total Combined Nitrogen. Chlorine . Hardness. Temporary . Permanent . 32-36 •026 •012 •002 •422 •436 1-26 21-0 3-7 Total 24-7 Remarks. Clear and palatable. The interpretation of the above table is an exceedingly pure but somewhat hard water. The hard¬ ness is chiefly due to Calcium Salts, is removable by boiling, and is in no wise detrimental to health. In my Annual Report for the year 1880, in speaking of the water supply, I strongly advised the adoption of the constant supply system. I would like again to urge this matter. We are fortunate in owning one of the purest water supplies in the Kingdom, and it only remains to us to see that it is adequately supplied in its pristine condition to every inhabitant. Leakages in the mains are always a source of danger from polluting matter gaining access to the pipes by lateral insnction. —— This danger is greatly increased in the intermittant system. Apart from this the intermittant system leads to the storage in cottages of water, with great danger to the same being contaminated. In conclusion I would draw your attention to the important matter of providing separate cisterns to every water closet. In many parts of the town (especially the older portions) this has not been done. In manjT cases the water being laid on directly to the pans or supplied to same by a stop-cock. In these cases the danger of filth gaining access to the pipes is a very serious one. THE BATHING PLACE IN THE RIVER. The number of bathers in the year was 18,844. Ten years ago it was 22,294, so that there is a decrease of 3,450 as compared with that year. As the population has so much increased, I regret this. I am of opinion that the Bathing Place can be improved and made more attractive. THE PUBLIC BATHS AND WASH HOUSES’ ACT. I would strongly advise you to take advantage of this Act, which is an adoptive one. A good Swimming Bath and other Baths are much required. Plans for these were prepared at the instigation of the late Mr. Charles Humbert, when he was Chairman of the Board, and for many years they used to hang in the old Board Room The need is now the more pressing as, owing to the Clarendon Hall becoming more popular and being so much used for entertainments, there is a prospect of the Watford Bath Company being crowded out. Last year 4,128 persons used the Baths of this Company, and since the inauguration 12 years ago, 43,174. WATFORD DISTRICT COTTAGE HOSPITAL. This still is very popular, and is doing good useful work. THE NEW BRIDGE. The County Bridge over the Colne is finished at last, and it is a great improvement over the old one. It renders the flow of water and of weed much easier than formerly. The thanks of the ratepayers of Watford are due to the County Council. Mr. Waterhouse, the Engineer, and Mr. Baker, the Sanitary Inspector, have already submitted their reports, so I will not now refer to them. I remain, Gentlemen, Your obedient Servant, ALFD. THOS. BRETT, M.D. H. T. GARDINER, PRINTER, “LEADER” OFFICE, WATFORD.