View report page

67
ever, I have been able to obtain samples from several of the separate filters, and the above table,
giving the results of the examination of their samples, shows several cases in which effective bacterial
filtration was not attained. Thus No. 8 filter only delivered two satisfactory samples during the whole year.
Looking only at the average results of each filter, this record is a bad one, for it was only No. 3 filter
which delivered water containing fewer than 100 microbes per c.c., and one sample only of this water
was examined; but an inspection of the separate numbers in the table shows that this would not be a
fair statement of the case. Thus, No. 4 filter only infringed the bacterial standard twice during the
year, and this occurred when the raw Thames was, bacterially, very impure; whilst No. 9 filter only
infringed very slightly."
Grand Junction Company.—" The small amount of storage possessed by this company renders
it difficult for them at all times to maintain efficient bacterial filtration, and six of the 13 samples
collected at the Hampton Works during the year contained an excess of microbes, or their spores, over
100 per c.c.; whilst four out of the 25 samples collected at the Kew Works also contained an abnormal
number of microbes. Most of the abnormal results occurred when the raw river water was, bacterially,
in a bad condition, and during severe frost."
Lambeth Company.—" This table shows that in the first three months of the year the number of
microbes largely exceeded 100 per c.c. This occurred during the continuance of the severe frost,
which seriously affected the filtration plants of all the companies. Except in these months, the water
delivered by the Lambeth Company was of most excellent bacterial quality; and in November, when
the raw Thames water contained 29,260 microbes per c.c., the filtered water delivered by this Company
contained only eight."
New River Company.—" From this table it is seen that out of 36 samples, 7 contained
microbes in excess of 100 per c.c. All 7 samples were collected in January, February and March,
during exceptionally severe frost. On all other occasions the filtered water was bacterially of excellent
quality; and in June, when the New River cut contained 1,920 microbes per c.c., the filtered water in
the main well contained only 8, whilst that of No. 1 filter well contained only 4 per c.c."
East London Company.—" This table shows that, during the very severe weather of January,
February and March, this company's filters were working very badly; but, with these exceptions, the
standard of 100 microbes per c.c. was slightly infringed in only four samples out of 27."
These observations appear to be based on monthly examinations of samples of water from the
receptacles or wells of the water companies. A more frequent testing of such water is obviously needed
to show how filters were working in the intervals between these examinations.
Dr. Frankland describes important and interesting experiments on the effect of sunshine upon
bacterial life in water which have been made by Mr. Burgess. These experiments show, Dr.
Frankland writes, that " on May 15th the germicidal effect of sunlight on Thames microbes was nil at
depths of one foot and upwards."
The low temperature during the early part of the year led to the freezing of water pipes and
soil pipes, often causing not only inconvenience but serious nuisance especially in blocks of artizans'
dwellings, where many water-closets are connected with a single soil pipe. The medical officer of
health of Fulham referring to the regulation requiring communication pipes to be laid at least
2 feet 6 inches below the surface, writes—"The mains, also laid since 1872, should not have been laid
at a less depth; but this is not the case, as some have been found to be at a depth varying from 15 to
28 inches, and there can be no doubt that if the regulations had been duly carried out, many householders
would have been spared great inconvenience." He states also that the records of temperature
at the Botanical Gardens show that the frost in that locality did not penetrate to quite 2 feet in the
ground " so that though, of course, the nature of the soil in other places would cause a difference in
the penetration of cold, probably if all main pipes have been laid to a depth of not less than 30 inches,
few would have been frozen."
Numerous memorials having been addressed to the Local Government Board, General Scott was
appointed to hold an inquiry into the subject so far as the ai-eas of the Grand Junction, Kent, Lambeth,
and Southwark and Vauxhall Companies were concerned. The report of the Local Government Board
contains the following reference to the inquiry—
" General Scott reported, as a result of the inquiry, that a proportion of the mains of the companies
concerned, and a large number of the communication pipes of the consumers were insufficiently protected
from the effects of frost, that the water supply to a large number of houses had been interrupted for
considerable periods of time, and that this failure in the supply had been caused by the freezing of the
water in the pipes; by the leakage subsequently ensuing, and also by a wilful waste on the part of the
consumers. He recommended that a proper amount of protection for mains and communication pipes
should be provided; that an efficient system for regulating house fittings, and fcr the prevention of
waste should be built up; and that the power of supply should be continually adjusted to the most
extreme contingencies of frost and drought which can reasonably be foreseen.
We are glad to be able to state that several of the companies have carried out, on a large scale, the
work of lowering their mains, and that, in General Scott s opinion, the depths now generally adopted
should afford sufficient protection."
Serious deficiency of water occurred, moreover, in the summer months in the eastern districts
of London supplied by the East London Waterworks Company. The reports of medical officers of
health of those districts give account of the conditions which were caused by this deficiency.
In Bethnal-green " overflowing closets and choked drains abounded all over the district," and the
medical officer of health received numerous complaints of inconvenience and distress caused by the
short supply. He writes—
"1 know of cases of sudden illness in the night where poultices could not be made and hot
fomentations and hot baths could not be used for the relief of pain and spasm. Many tradesmen and
manufacturers complained that they were hindered and greatly inconvenienced in the conduct of their
business by the short supply. All sorts of receptacles were requisitioned for storage purposes ; in
addition to proper water-cans and jugs, foot-baths, slop-pails, buckets, kettles, and pots and pans of
various kinds were used. As a rule people do not possess a superabundance of articles of this nature,