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121
WATER SUPPLY.
The Water supply of the Borough is derived from the New River
Company. According to the official water examinations, made under
the Metropolis Water Act, 1871, the quality of the water is excellent.
Taking the mean of the 12 months (monthly bacterial examinations),
the New River unfiltered water contained 420 bacteria per c.c.
and the filtered water, as delivered, contained only 16. This is the
purest water, from a bacterial point of view, in London. An examination
of the Tables of the average composition, chemical and
bacteriological, of the London Water Supply, proves that the quality,
as a whole, is excellent, and that the high standard of previous
years was well maintained during 1903, in spite of the heavy
rainfall, which was more than 10 inches above the mean of the last
35 years.
The wells existing in the Borough, which are still used, are as
follows :—
1. Richmond Street (25).—This is an artesian well, about 400
feet deep. The water is used for the purpose of supplying a gas
engine only. The domestic supply is derived from the New River
Company.
2. Bunhill Row (No. 125).—This place is used by a firm of
engineers and artesian well-borers. They have an artesian well
about 450 feet deep and use the water for all purposes, not having
any other supply.
3. Cowper Street (Nos. 7 and 8).—There is a well here which
is dug for a depth of about 80 feet, and then bored for a depth of
another 60 feet. The water is not used for drinking purposes under
ordinary circumstances, but sometimes in the summer those employed
on the premises are likely to take a drink of the well water. It is
ordinarily used for the machinery only.
4. City Road (Messrs. Lipton).—The firm using these premises
has an artesian well in their cocoa factory, about 300 feet deep, the
water from which is used for all purposes. They have a supply laid
on from the New River Company as reserve.
5. City Road (No. 102).—There is an artesian well at these
premises which is 370 feet deep, the water is used for all purposes,
and there is also a supply from the New River Company.