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81
In 34 houses the water-supply is situated in a scullery
or wash-house situated in the yard at a short distance from
the house.
29 houses have no separate supply.
33 have a supply outside the house and situated in the
open.
In one case—Harrington Buildings—five houses depend
upon a water-supply situated in a wash-house at one end
of the cottages. These cottages have been twice under the
consideration of the Health Committee. Previously they
were dependent on one tap in a yard at one end of the row.
By the action of the Committee a good supply of water with
sink and a copper was provided at the other end, but since
that, without my knowledge, the original tap has been
removed. I consider the supply of water is again insufficient
and recommend that action be taken to improve the watersupply
of these houses.
The Public Health (London) Act does not specifically
require a separate water-supply, nor a supply inside the
house, but it requires a proper and sufficient supply of water.
Apparently it is left for a magistrate to determine what is a
proper and sufficient supply. A new house cannot be occupied
unless certified by the Sanitary Authority to have a proper
and sufficient supply. It may be taken that all houses
built since the passing of the Act are provided with a separate
supply inside the house. With the exception of Harrington
Buildings, most of the houses without a separate supply
have a supply of water for every two houses, and the supply
is usually situated in a yard just outside the houses.
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