View report page

49
"We believe this can be done without taking in the more
turbid of the flood waters, and without injuriously diminishing
the volume of the River below the point of abstraction. To
ensure the best results in both these respects, the takings of the
water should be subject to strict regulations laid down by
Parliament. The water allowed to be taken from the River
should, in our opinion, include any water which may be pumped
from the general beds in the vicinity of the River.
"From the River Lea.—The available drainage area of the
Lea above the lower intake of the East London Company is
stated by Mr. Bryan to be 460 square miles; and the mean rainfall
upon it is stated by Mr. Symons to be 26 inches. No gaugings
of the discharge has ever been made at or below the intakes;
but they have been kept for many years at Fielde's Weir, which
has above it (as before stated) an area of 422 square miles.
From this point we have made out that, on the average of three
consecutive dry years, 81,000,000 gallons a day will flow off by
the River. We have no definite evidence as to the capability
of the district below; but from some remarks of Mr. Bryan's,
we judge that he does not calculate upon getting an
additional quantity proportional to the whole area, and we shall
probably be safe in calling the total available quantity 85,000,000
gallons. Of this the New River Company draw 22,500,000
gallons direct from the River above Ware; and the East
London Company have at times taken 37,000,000 gallons.
Dealing with the River as a whole, this abstraction is, in our
opinion, too great with the storage now in existence; but if
other reservoirs were constructed, adequately increasing the
storage capacity on well recognized lines, 52,500,000 gallons a
day may be obtained. The taking of the water should be under
regulations similar in character to those suggested for the
Thames, viz.—the first flush of floods to be rejected, and in dry
weather no water to be abstracted when the flow has run down
to a quantity hereafter to be determined.
"From Wells in the Lea Valley.—Into this part of the
case we have already gone very fully; and we need only