[Report 1957] / Medical Officer of Health, Liskeard R.D.C.

  • Liskeard (England). Rural District Council.
Date:
1957
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1957] / Medical Officer of Health, Liskeard R.D.C. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    11/28 (page 9)
    REPORT OF THE CHIEF PUBLIC HEALTH INSPECTOR Water Supply. The bulk supply of water from the South-East Cornwall Water Board for the villages of Rilla Mill, Maders, Hessenford, Widegates, Widlake, No Man’s Land and Great Tree continued without interruption throughout 1957. More premises were connected to the mains but the maximum draw-off has not been reached. Distribution Mains — Southern Area. During the year the contract for laying distribution mains together with an elevated water tower and two reservoirs, was completed. These branches were constructed to serve the villages of Duloe, Tredinnick, Trewidland, Horning Tops, St. Keyne, Doublebois, East Taphouse, West Taphouse, Looe Mills, Trevelmond, St. Pinnock, Herodsfoot, Lansallos, Trenewan, Highway, Whitecross, Bodinnick, Penpoll, Lerryn, Couch’s Mill and other small hamlets. The Liskeard and District Water Board had in hand new intake and treatment works at St. Cleer but as these did not function until October, it was not possible to provide sufficient water for the householders’ needs. Some 60,000 gallons daily was the agreed allocation from the Borough Works but this was frequently exceeded during the summer and it was extremely difficult to explain to would-be users why they could not have a supply once the mains had been laid. However, the Liskeard and District Water Board’s Works were opened on October 19th and after that date there was ample for all purposes. Mean¬ while the reservoirs at St. Pinnock and Lansallos with the tower at East Taphouse had been completed and tested and the electric pumps were installed. A thermostatic heater was fitted in the tower to prevent the water freezing and during the winter proved most effective. By the end of December there were 60 miles of water main serving the district ranging from 3 to 12 and these were adequately served by sluice valves, air valves, and wash-out valves, with fire hydrants at strategic points. Exceptional care was taken by the contractors to cause as little inconvenience as possible to occupiers of land through which the mains were laid and as a result there were no excess¬ ive claims for compensation. Numerous connections for private premises were made to the branch mains during the year and meters were provided to record consumption by farms and other business premises. By the end of the year consumption had reached 100,000 gallons per day and was still increasing. Distribution Mains — Northern Area, Section 5A. In September a tender of £59,588 was accepted from Messrs. Rowse & Sleep, for the construction of reservoirs, the provision of pumps and the laying of new mains to serve the northern part of the District, and by the end of the year, very good progress had been made. Reservoirs at St. Cleer, Crowsnest and Caradon were in hand, and mains were being laid to the villages of Higher Tremar Coombe, Common Moor, Darite and Minions. If authority is given to proceed with Section 5B without delay, it might be expected that the Parish of St. Ive will have water in less than two years. It is anticipated that water will be ready for use in the villages of Higher Tremar Coombe, Common Moor, Darite, Crowsnest and Minions during 1958, but it is unlikely to be in time to meet summer requirements. St. Neot. Supply was adequate throughout the year and no extensive work was necessary. St. Cleer. Breakdowns occurred during 1957 at the pumping station and included a complete collapse of the electric pumping plant. This occurred at a time of no wind and the windmill pump was therefore of no use.