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Lea, from wells in the chalk in the Lea Valley, and also in the
district of the Kent Water Works Company, which will be
sufficient to meet the requirements of London for fifty years to
come. As to the purity of these supplies, the chemical and
bacteriological evidence of Dr. Frankland, Dr. Odling, Professor
Crookes, Professor Ray Lankester, Dr. P. F. Frankland and
others, is most satisfactory; and no evidence submitted as to
impurity could stand the test of the investigations and inquiries
of the Commissioners. In their report, however, they very
properly advise that further efforts shall be made to keep pollution
of all kinds out of the Rivers, and maintain their purity in every
possible way.
Conclusions.
The Commissioners then state that—
" We are strongly of opinion that the water as supplied to
the consumer in London is of a very high standard of excellence
and of purity, and that it is suitable in quality for all household
purposes. We are well aware that a certain prejudice exists
against the use of drinking water derived from the Thames and
the Lea, because these rivers are liable to pollution, however
perfect the subsequent purification, either by natural or artificial
means, may be. But, having regard to the experience of London
during the last thirty years, and to the evidence given to us on
the subject, we do not believe that any danger exists of the
spread of disease by the use of this water, provided that there is
adequate storage, and the same is efficiently filtered before
delivery to the consumers.
" With respect to the quantity of water which can be
obtained within the watersheds of the Thames and the Lea, we
are of opinion that, if the proposals we have recommended are
adopted, a sufficient supply to meet the wants of the Metropolis
for a long time to come may be found without any prejudice to
the claims, or material injury to the interests, of any district
outside the area of Greater London. We are of opinion that an