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106
WATER SUPPLY.
The water supply of the Borough is derived from the Metropolitan
Water Board (New River). 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 examination), the New Fiver unfiltered water
contained about 180 bacteria per c.c. and the filtered water, as
delivered, contained only 11. 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 1905.
The wells existing in the Borough, which are still used, are as
follows :—
1. Richmond Street (No. 25).—This is an artesian well, about
25 feet deep. The water is used for the purpose of supplying a gas
engine only. The domestic supply is derived from the Metropolitan
Water Board (New River).
2. Bunhill Row (No. 125).—This place is used by a tirm 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 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.
6. Old Street (Bovril, Limited).—This firm has an artesian well
400 feet deep. The water is used for all purposes. On being analysed