Britain: An official handbook > 1959

INDUSTRY
3°3
From the middle of the nineteenth century onwards a number of separate large
water undertakings were set up to provide adequate supplies of pure water to the
expanding urban population, and the water supply system developed rapidly,
although in piecemeal fashion and with some overlapping and waste.
Organisation of Water Supply in England and Wales
Local authorities have a duty as sanitary authorities to ensure that water supplies
are adequate for the needs of their areas, and they may do this either by operating
a water undertaking themselves or by ensuring that other bodies are providing an
adequate supply. The householder receives his domestic water supply at a com¬
paratively small charge, varying in different areas, which he usually pays by way of
a water rate levied, like other rates, on the value of his house.
By the Water Act, 1945, the Minister of Housing and Local Government has a
duty to promote the conservation and proper use of water supplies in England and
Wales. The same Act provided for a statutory Central Advisory Water Committee
(replacing the previous non-statutory committee) to advise the Minister on general
questions relating to water and to deal with the local organisation of water supplies
and the powers and duties of local authorities and other water concerns. Local
authorities were required, in extension of the duties placed on them under the
Public Health Acts, to secure piped wholesome water in every part of their districts
where there were houses or schools, unless it was impracticable to do so at reasonable
cost.
In the years between the passing of the Water Act and 1958, 260 smaller water
authorities in England and Wales were absorbed by larger authorities or by the
creation of joint boards. The principal object of such amalgamation is the constitu¬
tion of more efficient units in the water supply industry, and efforts to reduce the
number have recently been intensified.
In March 1958, there were, in England and Wales, 863 local authority water
undertakings, 63 joint water boards (including bulk supply boards) and 13 joint
water committees, 83 statutory water companies, 21 non-statutory water companies,
and 3 private proprietors with statutory powers. A considerable number of private
proprietors without statutory powers also provide small supplies. Water under¬
takings vary greatly in size; about half the population is served by the 55 largest
undertakings, and the other half by nearly 1,000 smaller ones.
The Metropolitan Water Board, which is probably the largest single water
undertaking in the world, supplies about 335 million gallons daily to about 6-5
million people in the London area. The Board was established in 1903, and in the
following year took over the undertakings of eight water companies which were
supplying the London area. It now consists of 88 part-time members who are the
elected representatives of the various local authorities within the Board s area of
operations, together with one representative each from the Thames and Lee Con¬
servancies. The chairman and vice-chairman are chosen by members of the Board.
Present Supplies in England and Wales
Today, piped water supplies reach some 97 per cent of the total population of
England and Wales. More than 90 per cent of households in rural areas have piped
water supplies or are within easy reach of water mains.
About £20 million a year is spent on capital development, financed mainly by
loans, the interest on which, together with running costs, is paid by the water under¬
takings from annual income. This income is derived from local water rates levied
on domestic consumers and from charges for supplies as recorded by meter in the