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24
"No sediment visible to the naked eye was deposited from
"this water; there were detected in it, however, a good number of
"infusoria."
"It was remarkable for its freedom from diatomacea, a few
"frustules only being detected."
All the waters supplied to the Metropolis contain considerable
numbers of living vegetable and animal productions; still, in comparing
this microscopical analysis with those of the other Water
Companies, (also made by Dr. Hassall,) it will be found that the
water supplied by the Kent Company contained fewer organic productions
than the water supplied by one half of the other
Metropolitan Water Companies.
These results do not appear to be accidental, but, I believe,
must be attributed, in a great degree to the improvement which has
taken place in the purification of the River Ravensbourne; and
the collection, filtration, and general management of the works of
the Kent Water Company.
To have water of tolerable purity supplied to this District is a
comfort which you all must feel to be of the most essential importance,
and I am sure that I do not overrate that importance when I
affirm it to be one of the greatest Sanitary advantages that can be
conferred on the neighbourhood. As regards the quality of the
water, therefore, I have no observations to offer beyond what has
been above shown; but as regards the quantity, and method of
supply, I do feel that the poorer classes of this District are yet very
much restricted in this great necessary of life. The quantity with
which they are provided, the method of supply, and the receptacles
they have in use for the receiving that supply, cannot but act as a
barrier to the decency, the comfort, the health, and civilisation of
that class of the community.
At the houses of the poorer classes the water is collected once
in each day (Sunday excepted), for the most part in butts or tubs,
seldom having any lids or coverings, receiving all kinds of impurities
from the atmosphere and other sources; and being generally so
small that they do not contain anything like a proper quantity of
water for the use of the family.