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65
With regard to their purity, Dr. Teed reports that:—
" The waters are highly pure as far as organic contamination is concerned, they
" are soft, but on the other hand they are somewhat saline. The total solids average
" 49 grains per gallon, whereas London water runs about 20 grains to the gallon"
The London deep well waters contain fair amounts of bi-carbonate of soda and
" sodium sulphate, which I have known to be a source of considerable trouble to
" steam raisers."
" Lead and copper were absent in all cases."
In this connection, and for comparative purposes it may be interesting to
again quote from the report of the Rivers Pollution Commission previously
referred to:—
" Of the different varieties of potable water, the best for dietetic purposes are
" spring and deep well waters. They contain the smallest amount of organic matter,
" and are almost always bright, sparkling, palatable and wholesome, whilst their
" uniformity of temperature throughout the year, renders them cool and refreshing
" in summer and prevents them from freezing readily in winter. Such waters are
" of inestimable value to communities, and their conservation and utilization are
" worthy of the greatest efforts of those who have the public health under their
" charge."
With regard to the uniformity of temperature referred to in the above
quotation, such is demonstrated in its completest sense by the chemical
analysis. Although the samples were taken during both the summer and
winter months, the variation in temperature never exceeded 6 degrees, the
lowest recorded being 54 degrees and the highest 60 degrees; the average
temperature being 57.4 degrees Fahrenheit.
When it is realised that the water obtained from this source is of undoubted
purity and wholesomeness, and that, moreover, the fact of its being "soft"
renders it more suitable for domestic and manufacturing purposes than that
delivered by the Metropolitan Water Board, it is not surprising that the
adoption of a well water supply is gaining ground so rapidly, especially when
one takes into consideration the fact alleged by experts that great economy
can thereby be effected.
An example of this economy which may be quoted is that of a large West
End Hotel which was paying £900 per annum water rate. A well and
pumping plant were installed at a cost of £800, and the total cost of running
this plant, including repairs, has been found to be £200 per annum. Thus a
saving of about £700 per annum appears to have been effected on a capital
outlay of £800.
The fact, however, must not be overlooked that there is a possibility,
undoubtedly remote, that the yield may eventually prove insufficient, and this
would necessitate the reinstatement of the Water Board's supply with the
subsequent loss of money spent in sinking the well. In the City alone there
are 36 of these wells in use, and with the exception of 4, all are within
about 2,000 feet of the Merchant Taylors' Hall in Threadneedle Street.