Distribution
287. Despite the greater consumption and the more concentrated demand due to shorter supply hours, the improvements made to the distribution system and the practice of feeding zoned areas at different times of the day resulted in reasonably equitable distribution, although some complaints (especially when the new restrictions started) could not be avoided. The programme of providing new mains and sub-mains to meet new development and to replace old encrusted pipes continued.
Water Analysis
288. The Government Pathologist and Chemist continued to test samples of water taken regularly from service reservoirs and consumers' taps. Generally, the water maintained a satisfactory standard, but when samples did not reach this required standard of purity the cause of pollution was traced and corrective action taken.
289. Of 353 samples taken from service reservoirs, 344 or 97% came up to the required standard, that is to say they showed an absence of coliform organism in 100 cc. The cause of eight of the nine bad samples was traced and after treatment samples proved satisfactory. No specific cause could be traced for the remaining sample, but after precautionary measures had been taken subsequent samples were satisfactory.
290. Of 1,395 samples taken from consumers' taps, 1,318 (representing 94%) were found to be satisfactory. All the unsatisfactory samples, with the exception of three for which no explanation was found, were due to defects in inside services and in all cases, after repairs and sterilization, repeat samples were satisfactory. The corresponding figures for 1957/58 were 1,118 samples, of which 1,050 (94%) were satisfactory.
Pumping
291. The following table shows the quantity of raw and filtered water pumping compared with the previous year:
1958/59 1957/58 Increase Raw Water Million Gallons 9,801 8,567 1,234 Filtered Water Million Gallons 8,023 7,841 182 Total Million Gallons 17,824 16,408 1,416292. The total quantity pumped was about 9% greater than during the previous year.
50
Page 60
Page 61