London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Islington 1904
Forty-ninth annual report on the health and sanitary condition of the Borough of Islington
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1904]
252
WATER SUPPLY.
The water supply of Islington is that obtained by the New River
Company from wells of which there are 14, in the chalk and green sand
formations, and from water obtained from the River Lea, from which
22,500,000 gallons can be taken daily. This supply is drawn from the river
near Ware in Hertfordshire, and conveyed by a branch cut into the artificial
channel which is so well known under the name of the New River, and into
which also flows the water from the various chalk wells. Large though this
supply is yet, to enable it to meet the demands made on it, the New River
Company are engaged on the construction of works with a view of obtaining
a supply of water from the Thames.
The supply to the borough is now entirely on a constant system, and is
calculated to be at the rate of 31.15 gallons daily throughout the year per head
of the population.
The quality of the water was exceedingly good, and consequently no
complaints were received with respect to it.