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Deterioration of Water in Dirty Cisterns. —It need
hardly be said that filtration, however perfect, avails little,
if the water is allowed, as frequently happens, to be fouled
after delivery. The attention of householders cannot, therefore,
be too frequently drawn to the necessity for the periodical
cleansing of cisterns for containing potable water. These
receptacles, moreover, should be covered, to exclude light and
dirt; and so placed that the water may be kept cool in summer,
without being in danger of freezing in winter. The Public
Health (London) Act, 1891 (sec. 50), conferred power on the
Sanitary Authority to make bye-laws for the cleansing of
cisterns, and this has been done. But no adequate steps have
been taken to make known the provisions of these or, (for the
matter of that), any other bye-laws, which householders are
required to observe.
Cutting-off Powers.—l have taken occasion, many
times, in these reports, to express dissatisfaction with regard to
the power of the Companies to cut off the domestic supply of
water for non-payment of the rate, and have expressed the
view that they should be left to their remedy, like other
traders, for the recovery of debts, in course of law. The
Companies can, if they think fit, require prepayment of the
rate. Any course would be preferable to the barbarous practice
of cutting off the supply, a practice legalised by the Waterworks
Clauses Act, 1847, but which, I doubt not, will, ere
long, be prohibited by law—on suitable provision being made to
secure to the Companies requisite facility for enforcing their
claims.
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