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recently been made public. At the request of the President of the Local
Government Board the questions as to "Whether it is practicable to connect any
two or more of the different systems of supply now administered by the eight water
companies? and, if so, by whom, and in what proportion, should the cost of
connecting them be borne? and what are the legal powers necessary to give
effect to any such arrangement?" have been dealt with as speedily as possible.
Amongst other matters the recent restrictions of the supply of water in the East
London water district was considered, and particular attention was given to the
circumstances which rendered them necessary, "and to the character and extent of
the interconnexions with other companies," to safeguard against the necessity of such
restrictions in the future.
Two tables were submitted to the Commission by the engineer of the East London
Company, one shewing the average quantity of water daily pumped into the district
during July to October inclusive, together with the quantities contributed by other
companies and the sources from which the water was obtained, and the other an
illustration of the manner in which a full supply would be secured in 1899 in the
event of a drought similar to that of 1898.
The Commissioners state that study of the tabular information laid before them
by the engineer "leads to the conclusion that if the existing connection with the
Southwark and Vauxhall Company had been established early in the year 1898, and
the fullest supply possible had been taken from the New Eiver and Southwark and
Vauxhall Companies from the 20th of June onwards, the usual supply might have been
maintained in the district of the East London Company throughout the period of
drought." This conclusion harmonises with the opinions of those who believe that if
the Water Company had exercised reasonable foresight the necessity of restricting the
water supply in the East London water area would not have arisen.
In accordance with the requirements of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891,
section 49 (1), 101 communications were received from the Water Companies relative
to the cutting off of the water supplies to dwelling houses, 48 from the New Eiver, and
53 from the East London Company. These communications referred to 163
premises, 17 of which were empty.
SANITARY WORK.
Notices as to insanitary conditions were served with respect to 2,380 premises,
360 by the chief inspector, 501 by inspector Lear, 364 by inspector Quelch, 363 by
inspector Firth, 410 by inspector Jordan, and 382 by inspector Lindon, and in
connection with the work 1,691 letters were written.
In the subjoined table is contained a summary of the works carried out under
the supervision of the department, which has been compiled from the abstracts