View report page

66
All these wells are deriving their supply from the same source, and, moreover,
the Water Board largely tap the water supply before it reaches the City,
there being no less than 49 wells belonging to the Board drawing upon the
water in the chalk.
This depletion cannot be expected to continue indefinitely without seriously
affecting the interests of well owners, and already there is evidence that the
continual drainage is having its effect upon the supply. The fall of the water
level in the London Basin, which is the geological formation upon which the
City is situated, is undoubtedly due to the increased demands made upon it.
Considerable difficulty was experienced in obtaining reliable information in
the City upon the question of water levels. That the normal rest level of
water in wells is falling, it is generally admitted that the rate of fall does not
appear to be uniform, varying from 2 to 3½ feet per annum. The discrepancy
is doubtless accounted for by the difficulty in accurately determining the
normal rest level.
Of course the falling of water levels is not so disquieting as it may at first
appear. The simple expedient of lowering the pump will give the well a new
lease of life, and then the abandonment of the well is at least postponed.
It is obvious, therefore, that there is a certain element of speculation in
investing money in well sinking in London, as in addition to the possibility
of the supply becoming inadequate, there is the risk of unforeseen circumstances
arising that may involve the expenditure of large sums of money. Our own
experience in connection with the well at the Artizans' Dwellings, Stoney
Lane, is a case in point. Commenced 23 years ago, costing no less than £5,610
before ready for use, while the cost of pumping, allowing for all contingencies
except interest on capital expenditure and depreciation of plant, reaches 5£d.
per 1,000 gallons. It must be pointed out, however, that this is an exceptional
case, as the methods then adopted have since been considerably improved.
Further, the progress of the work was at times very slow, at one time 110
working days being spent in boring through 5 feet 10 ins, of conglomerated
rock. In all, 4 years were occupied in its construction.
I know of two cases at least in which when the well was completed, the
yield was so scanty as not to be worth pumping, labour and maintenance, and
the wells were accordingly abandoned.
There does not appear to be any reason whatever why property owners, if
they feel oppressed by water taxes, should not seek relief by the sinking of a
well, the water derived from which is equal in purity to that supplied by the
Metropolitan Water Board.
The economical advantages that may be derived from this method hardly
fall within my province, the only persons qualified to authoritatively decide
this point being geologists and hydraulic engineers who have made a special
study of the subject.