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32
WATER SUPPLY.
The year 1896 was a very dry year, the deficiency in the rainfall in the Thames
Valley as measured at Oxford for the whole year, amounted to 3.43 inches, or 13.3
per cent. on a thirty years' average of 25.72 inches. Up to August there was a
deficiency of 5.97 inches, but a large excess of 3.04 inches fell during September.
Owing to the prolonged drought there was a scarcity of water in that portion of
the Metropolis supplied by the East London Water Company. In consequence of
the depletion of their reservoirs it was again necessary to discontinue giving the
constant supply. On July 21st the supply was restricted to six hours, but in many
houses in the area supplied by the company the water was only on for two or three
hours daily. The restricted supply continued throughout the month of August until
about the middle of September. Stand pipes in connection with the water mains were
erected, and the water carts were brought into requisition to distribute a supply to
the people in certain districts, but notwithstanding, a great amount of inconvenience
and distress was experienced, and complaints were numerous. Shoreditch did not
suffer to the same extent as other parishes, only receiving a fourth of its water supply
from the East London Company, and complaints to the Health Department were
few, but insanitary conditions due to the cessation of the constant supply frequently
came under observation. One of the commonest insanitary conditions resulting
from the interruption of the constant supply was the interference with the water
supply for flushing water closets. The waste-preventing apparatus for flushing being
in direct connection with the company's main, when once discharged there was no
more water until the supply was again on in the Company's main.
Both the East London and the New River Water Companies are now exercising
the statutory powers they possess under the Metropolis Water Acts with regard to
the provision of storage cisterns, and are requiring such cisterns to be provided
before laying the water on to dwelling houses.
With respect to the employment of cisterns for domestic storage, the following
facts as regards the different water companies' districts are contained in the twentyfifth
annual report of the Local Government Board:—
Chelsea Company.—Cisterns are used in the majority of cases, and in
the opinion of the company no safe supply can be given without storage to
the extent thereby implied.
East London Company.—Cisterns are used in some houses, but there
appears to be a great want of means of domestic storage.
Grand Junction Company.—Cisterns are in use, and a draw-off tap
on the rising main is recommended by the company for drinking and cooking
purposes.