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58
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
average daily supply of 40,000,000 gallons can be obtained from
wells and springs in the chalk of the Lea Valley without affecting
any material interests, but that, if this quantity be exceeded, it is
probable that the springs and wells in the parts of the
Valley immediately adjacent to the wells and all the districts
farther down the Valley may be injuriously affected.
"From wells in the chalk area on the south side of the
Thames, in the district of the Kent Company, we are of opinion
that a daily average supply of 27,500,000 gallons may be obtained.
We think it of very great importance that distinct obligations
should be laid upon any company or Local Authority which is
allowed to pump water from the chalk for purposes of public
supply to keep accurate observation of the effect of their operations
on the level of the water in the wells from which they
pump, and return the results to the Water Examiner under such
regulations as may be framed.
"The great difficulty which we have had to encounter has
been in getting accurate and reliable information as to the actual
effect of the operations now carried on. The importance of
procuring this will increase each year as the limit of what can be
taken from any district with safety is gradually being reached.
From the River Lea we are of opinion what with adequate
additions to the present system of storage 52,500,000 gallons may
be taken daily. We are of opinion that, by the construction of
storage reservoirs in the Thames Valley, at no great distance
above the intakes of the Companies, it will be possible to obtain
an average daily supply of 300,000,000 gallons without taking in
any objectionable part of the flood water. The average daily
flow of the Thames at Teddington Weir, adding the water taken