[Report 1949] / Medical Officer of Health, Rhayader R.D.C.

  • Rhayader (Wales). Rural District Council.
Date:
1949
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1949] / Medical Officer of Health, Rhayader R.D.C. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE AREA. Water Supply. Rhayader and Cwmdauddwr. (i) The supply is from 3 sources, Springs at Conyn, the Nant-y-sarn stream and the River Wye. During the abnormally dry summer the Spring supplies fell so low that it was necessary to use the Hydrostat for six months and the Petter driven pump for two months. The two latter obtained water from the River Wye. It was possible to supply water throughout the year without serious restriction. (ii) The water is passed through roughing filters and chlori¬ nated. The purity of water at the source is variable but samples taken of the water going into supply showed good results. Two samples from a private supply to a sohool proved unsatisfactory. Representations were made to the L.E.A. to connect the school to the adjoining town main, (iii) The water has a plumbo solvent tendency. Very few lead pipes are in use and accordingly no precautions have been taken. (iv) No special action was necessary to prevent contamination. (v) Statistics of piped supplies :— Water in house. From standpipes. No. of houses served 349 100 Population served 700 (approx.) 200 (approx.) A very large area of Cwmdauddwr has no public supply. The properties are mainly isolated farms with individual supplies from wells and springs. A number of houses, including one hotel obtain water by private mains from the City of Birmingham Aqueduct Nantmel Village. The only public supply is a small catchment tank serving two houses. During the year a length of 300 yards of main was laid from this tank to one house and a standpipe serving several other houses. A scheme to serve this area from the Birmingham Aqueduct was under consideration at the end of the year. (i) The quality of the present supply is doubtful end the quantity though sufficient for the properties served did not appear suffic ient to serve a scheme to provide the whole district. (ii) One sample proved satisfactory though indicating some pollution. (iii) Lead pipes are not used in this area. The water is not corrosive. (iv) No action was taken regarding contamination. (v) Three houses have an internal water supply and a stand¬ pipe serves six houses.