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The older and more shallow wells—those of 200-300 feet—have suffered in
consequence, and in many the water supply has steadily diminished, while
in others it has ceased, the water level having sunk below the boring.
Many hotels and large blocks of flats are supplied with water from
artesian wells. If the wells are deep enough to secure a constant supply
the scheme is economically advantageous, as the premises are exempt
from the 7 per cent. rate on the annual rateable value levied by the
Metropolitan Water Board. In very large buildings this may mean
a saving of several thousand pounds per annum.
In some cases the water supply has required to be supplemented
from the Water Board's mains, while in others the supply from the wells
is used only for heating and washing purposes, that from the Board
being specially provided for drinking and cooking.

A glance at these figures indicates the great activity in building which
has been in progress in the City during the past five years. These
developments are rapidly taking place, as even the most casual observer
must have noticed; the transformation of Regent Street and the vast
new buildings in Piccadilly are examples of the extensive changes which
are making the face of the City unfamiliar to the old-time Londoner.
It need hardly be added that the supervision of the sanitary requirements
in such vast undertakings has greatly increased the responsibilities of the
officers of the department.
In 19 instances the plans related to houses wholly or partially being
converted into flats, and in 7 instances to stables being converted into
dwellings.
Of the total of plans submitted, 10 were not approved, as the work
proposed did not comply with the by-laws. In 5, the proposals were
withdrawn.