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34
of cisterns the overflow of water, in the case of accident to the
supply apparatus, is prevented by means of a waste-pipe, which in
many cases is in direct communication with the house drains,
without the intervention of any trap. The waste-pipe then serves
as a ventilator, often the only one, to the drains and the common
sewer; and the use of the water, impregnated with sewer gases,
may occasion Diarrhœa and, in special circumstances, Typhoid
Fever. If the Water Companies would exercise the sanitary
powers conferred on them by the "Regulations," they would
confer a great boon on the metropolis. It is in their power
to direct the removal of waste-pipes from cisterns, and the substitution
of "warning" pipes. But the Companies, which throw
difficulties in the way of a system of constant supply out of an
excessive dread of waste, appear regardless of the enormous loss of
water by means of waste-pipes, and which must amount to at least
a third of the very ample supply now afforded to all houses that
possess adequate storage.
Nothing indeed is wanted but an honest application of the
constant service system, to render the water supply of the Metropolis
as good as it is ever likely to be, for the quality of the
water is not bad by any means when properly treated, and might
be made good enough for all practical purposes without much
additional expense or labour, and the quantity is ample, amounting
last year to an average of 220 gallons daily to each house,
equivalent to 33 gallons for every individual. The Companies,
however, do not purpose to give such a kind of constant supply as
sanitarians desire and deem necessary, such, namely, as would
enable us, if so disposed, to do away with cisterns. On the contrary,
they supply the water by means of a ferrule of such small
dimensions, that cisterns are just as necessary as on the intermittent
system; in this respect differing, I believe, from the water
Authorities of some of the large Towns, where the constant system
has been long in operation, with much benefit and satisfaction to
the consumers.
GAS.
The average lighting power of the Cannel Gras, supplied by the
Chartered Company during the year, was up to the required
standard on all occasions. The nominal power during the first
half of the year was 23 candles, during the latter half of the year
20 candles.
The amount of sulphur impurity was below the permitted
amount (30 grains in 100 cubic feet of Gas) on all occasions. As
a rule, the ammonia, also, was less than the Referees' maximum
allowance 2½ grains in 100 feet; but for some weeks in the months
of October, November, and December, the quantity was excessive,
often rising above 20 grains.