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25
District.
recognised number of micro-organisms in it. It is hardly
a sufficient answer to the objections so frequently made
to rivers as a source of potable water to say that, in a
certain number of examinations, the standard number of
microbes was not infringed ; for, as a chain is no stronger
than its weakest link, so, if at any time an excess of
organisms pass the filters and if there happen to be
dangerous germs among them, illness may be then
caused, even if the water is at most times innocuous.
With regard to the Lambeth Company, Sir Edward
Frankland, says :—" Excepting in February and March,
this Company delivered water of excellent bacterial
quality. Altogether, the record is very good, and is
free from violent fluctuations. It would be still further
improved by moi*e storage, for sometimes the filters have
to be fed with water containing as many as 46,400
microbes per cubic centimetre."
To get water in as pure a condition as possible into
dwelling houses, and to minimise the danger of subsequent
pollution, it is obviously most desirable that there
should be a constant service, and that water should be
drawn directly from the main and not from storage
cisterns, so it is satisfactory that the Companies are
steadily, if somewhat slowly, extending the area of constant
service in the district.
In connection with the water supply, it should be
noted, that in November, specimens of young horseleeches
were found in the water drawn through the taps
of two houses in this District, on almost the same dates.
In spite of the most careful investigation, both by the
officials of the Lambeth Company and by ourselves, no
explanation could be given as to how they came there.
The domestic cisterns, from which the water came, were