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34
It is but just to say that, during the latter part of
year under report, a much better supply of water was
given than had ever been the case before, as far as quantity
was concerned; but the quality, as evidenced by Dr.
Frankland's reports to the Registrar General, was
amongst the worst given by any of the Metropolitan
Water Companies drawing their supply from the Thames,
and was indeed in many respects almost identical with
that from the river at the intake near Hampton, which
is the source of supply. At the same time it was not
sufficiently bad to have been taken from the Thames at
Battersea—as was formerly proved to have occurred; that
source of supply having been effectively cut off under
Captain Tyler's directions some years since.
The importance of a good supply of pure water
cannot be overrated, as it is an undoubted fact that
many diseases of a Zymotic nature can be and are readily
conveyed by this medium. We cannot too strongly insist
upon the duty of all concerned to provide water as free
from organic impurities as possible, which, whilst the only
available source of supply at present time is the Thames,—
which receives above the intake of the Water Company the
sewage of many towns, as well as the land water in time
of flood, bringing with it decomposing organic matters,—
is only to be obtained by preventing the drainage of the
towns above the intake finding its way into the river; by
impounding reservoirs having sufficient capacity for
several weeks' supply, so as to obviate the necessity for
the admission of the river water in times of flood; and
further, by a careful and efficient method of filtration;
as well as a more frequent cleansing of filters and of the
filtering medium.
During the year under report 149 houses and water
closets were supplied with water for the first time as the
result of house to house inspection.