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"The Thames, in the winter months especially, becomes much
polluted with sewage and the washings of manured fields before it
reaches the intakes of the respective water Companies."
" The mean hardness of Thames water was 20.7 degrees or parts
in 100,000 It can be reduced to nearly the necessary degree
of softness by lime," a plan which would much improve it, and be
attended with great benefits economically. With respect to
quantity there does not appear to be any cause of complaint
against the water supply. It is estimated that the West Middlesex,
Chelsea, and Grand Junction Companies distributed respectively
178, 252, and 279 gallons for domestic purposes daily to each
house in their several districts, the lowest quantity being equivalent
to an average of upwards of 22 gallons per head of the population.
Kensington, in common with the rest of London, continues to
be supplied with water upon the intermittent system, although it
is nearly two years since the Metropolis Water Act, 1871, was
passed, with the specific object of affording a constant supply. In
my last Annual Report I referred to the fact that the Board of
Trade had issued a Commission to consider the regulations made
by the Water Companies, "for the constant supply of water for
domestic purposes," and the amended regulations proposed by the
Metropolitan Board of Works. In the month of November, 1872,
the regulations in the form approved by the Board of Trade were
issued, and it is not too much to say that to the needless severity
of their provisions it is due that they have remained, for all but
new buildings, nearly a dead letter, although they have the force
of law, and are, theoretically, in general operation at the present
time. It rests with the Metropolitan Board, in the first instance,
to require the constant supply. The views of the Board with
reference to the regulations are set forth in a report of the Works
and General Purposes Committee, in the month of February,
1873. The Committee having regard to the imperfect state of
legislation by which no real and effective constant supply is secured,
the exclusion of the Board from any jurisdiction which could be
exercised in favor of the consumers, and further to the great cost
which the regulations would impose upon the owners of property,
and the almost unlimited authority placed in the hands of the
Water Companies, recommended that the Board should not take
any steps at present with a view to giving notice for a constant
supply of water in any of the districts of London. The Metropolis
Water Act, 187 i, it was stated, does not provide absolutely for
a constant supply, but there are three modes by which it may be
obtained. 1. The Company may give it. 2. The Metropolitan
Board may apply to a Company for it; or 3. The Local Government
Board, failing the above, may require it. No Company, however, is
compelled to give a constant supply until the regulations, under which
it is to be given, are made by them and confirmed by the Board of