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247
1908]
WATER SUPPLY.
The water supply of the borough is now entirely delivered on the constant
system, and is excellent in quality. It is, however, frequently deteriorated by
having to pass through storage cisterns prior to its use for purely domestic
purposes, which is much to be deplored because its disadvantages far outnumber
its advantages, which are entirely those of the company and not of
the consumer. On the other hand the advantages of a constant supply are
very important to the consumer as well as to the public. They include the
following among others:—
(1) It prevents the corrosion of pipes, which in turn causes turbidity,
which an intermittent supply favours.
(2) As the water is not shut off from the service mains it prevents their
depletion, by the gravitation of water into the basement cisterns, or
by leakage, which tend to create a vacuum into which may be drawn
foul air or foul water.
(3) In case of fire the water is ready for immediate use, and the delays
caused by the search for a turncock are avoided.
(4) It obviates the necessity for storage cisterns, and consequently gets rid
of the danger caused by the pollution of water, due to dirt, dust, or
even the drowning of animals, such as mice, birds, and insects, in them.
(5) It enables consumers by means of a draw-off tap from the rising main
to obtain water for drinking and other domestic purposes in a pure
and cool condition.
The New River Company, like other London companies, still require
the provision of water storage cisterns in houses of any size, although their
retention is not now insisted on in small cottage properties. This is much to be
regretted, because it is only with the greatest difficulty that many landlords
can be prevailed upon to supply water direct from the supply pipe when there
already exists a supply from a cistern. Nevertheless there has been a steady
and continued increase in the number of draw-off taps fitted to the rising
mains, and it is only a question of time, and not a long time either, before
their use will become the rule and not the exception; for as soon as the London
public, who have been taught to look on a cistern as a necessity (and it was a
necessity under the intermittent system), find out that it is no longer so, but
that it is a means by which the water may be polluted, and therefore a danger
to health, they will insist on being supplied with water direct from the mains.
Ever since your Medical Officer of Health took up his duties in Islington it has