[Report 1959] / Medical Officer of Health, Liskeard R.D.C.

Liskeard (England). Rural District Council.

Date:: 1959

Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1959] / Medical Officer of Health, Liskeard R.D.C. Source: Wellcome Collection.

13/32 (page 11)

During the summer, samples of water were taken from the source of the village supply at Trewint and subjected to bacteriological examination. The results indicated that there was considerable bacterial contamination which showed very little improvement right throughout the summer. Consumers were advised to boil all water before using it for drinking purposes. Polperro. An extension of a branch main was made between Jac-na-parc and Landaviddy cottages in 2 polythene tubing at a cost of some £300. The work was carried out as specified and a great improvement in the supply resulted. Later in the year the new main passing the reservoir at Trenderway was connected to the Polperro mains and the reservoir itself was bypassed. This increased the pressure considerably in all parts of the village and was a definite improvement. Seaton. The source of this supply at Keveral Woods diminished in flow during the summer in spite of the fact that no water from these springs passed into the adjoining district. A very detailed test was carried out and leaks were found in some private service pipes. Repairs were made at once and there was a noticeable improvement in the supply. Warleggan. The dry spring and summer of 1959 had the effect of reduc¬ ing the flow of water from the Holy Well springs which form the source of the Warleggan water supply. There was, however, more than an adequate supply for the needs of the householders but due to an air lock in the intake pipes and seepage through a porous strata, there was a shortage for a few days. A collecting chamber was re-built, a broken pipe replaced and an air lock in the system removed. The result was entirely satisfactory. Bacterio¬ logical examination of the water was carried out at the same time and the quality was seen to have fallen from that obtained earlier. It was considered that, although there was no obvious source of contamination near the springs, it would be unsafe to rely on ordinary protection works. After consideration of the matter the Council decided to chlorinate the water and gave instruc¬ tions for the appropriate work to be carried out. Rilla Mill, Maders, Hessenford, Widegates, No Mans Land and Great Tree. These villages are supplied with water from the South East Cornwall Water Board and during the summer an acute shortage was felt. The Board's officials were very helpful and a reasonable share of the limited supply was given. Unfortunately, when the supply was at its lowest, a burst occurred in the Board’s trunk main at Berrio Bridge. This created a serious state of affairs, for although Looe, one of the constituents of the South East Cornwall Water Board was without water for some hours, some of these villages were cut off for two days. This could not be avoided as it took some time for the service reservoir to fill, since Looe, situated at a lower level was drawing heavily upon the supply. The residents of the villages affected managed to cope, and there were no serious complaints. Merrymeet, Pengover and Crift. In June, a letter was sent to the Minstry of Housing and Local Government asking for consent to lay the 14 diameter main from the treatment works at St. Cleer to Menheniot village, passing through and serving the above villages, or to lay a temporary system, utilising the 2 pipeline laid to serve the Royal Cornwall Showground at Merrymeet. At the September meeting, it was reported that approval had been received to proceed with the temporary supply to Merrymeet, Pengover and Crift, but it was suggested that the distribution mains in the villages be permanent. A tender of £6,388. 16. 0. was accepted from Messrs. Reed & Mallik and work was commenced in December. When this scheme has been completed almost