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64
PART II.
ADMINISTRATION.
Water Supply.
1. In March, 1906, I reported on the result of examinations of
the water of the Plumstead Well, made by the director of water
examinations for the Metropolitan Water Board. The report
showed that the water of the Plumstead Well had been in a
comparatively impure condition. This was attributed to excessive
pumping, causing the Thames water to be drawn through the
chalk more quickly than was desirable. On pumping less quickly,
the quality of the water improved. The Council requested the
Board to have monthly examinations made of the water of the
Plumstead Well, and to furnish the Borough Council with copies
forthwith on the report being presented to the Water Board.
Fifteen samples of the Plumstead Well Water were analysed,
and examined bacteriologically between December 4th, 1905, and
and July 12th, 1906.
A Report of the Metropolitan Water Board, printed in July,
1906, says
"All the Kent Wells have been examined once a
"month bacteriologically, and once a quarter chemically,
" but the results obtained have been grouped together as
" averages— a procedure open to some objection, scientifi"
cally. The time has now come when it is desirable to take
" stock of these observations. This is the more important
" since but little is known of the bacteriological (as com"
pared with the chemical) qualities of deep well waters."