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The monthly Reports issued during the past year by Colonel
Bolton, R.E., the "water examiner," contain as usual much interesting
information with reference to the state of the Thames at the several
intakes; to the apparatus for filtration and supply; and to the subject of
constant supply, &c.
Two of the local Companies, viz., West Middlesex and Chelsea are
now able to supply effectually filtered water in ample quantity to their
respective districts—having large reservoir capacity for subsidence,
and being able to avoid taking in water during floods. The Grand
Junction Company is constructing additional impounding and subsiding
reservoirs at the intake at Hampton with the same object in view, and
they are also increasing and improving their filter beds at Kew, so
that ere long it is expected they will be enabled to supply water of
the same quality with the other Companies.
With reference to filtration it appears that the rate should not exceed
540 gallons per square yard of filter bed each 24 hours, and at this
rate filtration is said to be effectual. The filter beds, composed of
varying thicknesses of different sorts of sand, shells, and of gravel
screened to different sizes, and arranged in layers, have a total depth
of about five feet.
As regards constant supply, not much progress has been made. The
West Middlesex Company, however, are stated to be giving constant
supply to a number of houses on the application of the owners, and to
be fully prepared to extend the system as required. This Company is