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65
The report proceeds:-
"The Plumstead Well is affected by its propinquity
" to the River Thames and the river marshes."
"The Plumstead Well, doubtless, owing to its pro"
pinquity to the River Thames and river marshes, contains
" a slight excess of chlorine."
Comparing the Plumstead Well with others, it was found to
have the highest quantity of oxidized nitrogen ; the highest
capacity for abstracting oxygen from permanganate, and the
highest proportion of chlorine and of total hardness.
The Plumstead Well, as regards presence of bacteria, was one
of the least satisfactory, containing, in one sample, coli-like
microbes in 10 c.c., but not in 1 c.c., and no flaginac B. coli in
either 10 or 100 c.c.
Four samples of the Plumstead water contained coli-like
microbes in 100 c.c., and not in 10 c.c., and in one of these, the
microbes were flaginac B. coli, i.e., microbes satisfying all the
tests which distinguish B. coli. Fifteen samples of Plumstead
water were taken.
In November, 1907, I reported as follows:—
"In the July monthly report on the Metropolitan
" water-supply further particulars are given of the results
" of the chemical and bacteriological examinations of the Kent
" deep wells. It will be remembered that in October, 1905,
" the water of the Plumstead well was found to be very
" impure, so much so that it was considered necessary to
" suspend its use temporarily and afterwards only to pump
slowly. I reported fully on the matter on the 14th
"March and on the 14th December, 1906. The explanation
" given of the impurity was that, owing to hard pumping,
" Thames water was being drawn through the chalk. As a
" result of the measures taken the quality of the water im-