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132
The Water Companies were reminded that the most
effectual plan for giving effect to the advice of the Board was
by their serving notice on the consumers to cut.off waste.
pipes in conformity with the provisions of Regulation 14; and,
" having regard to the danger of a polluted water supply,
especially at a time when the introduction of Cholera was
possible, and to the probability that should Cholera spread
in the Metropolis it will be,as on a former occasion, through
the water supply, " the great importance of taking steps without
loss of time to carry the said regulations into effect," was
pressed upon the attention of the several Companies.
I may here mention, by way of parenthesis, that I
endeavoured, some years ago, to stimulate the local Companies
to exercise their power to abolish waste.pipes.
I was given to understand that the Chelsea Company—
at the time they were short of water, prior to the
construction of their new works at West Molesey—
had taken steps to abolish waste.pipes, with a view to
economise consumption, but I failed to get the West
Middlesex and Grand Junction Companies to move in the
matter. The views expressed by the Secretaries were to the
effect that the Companies, being trading bodies, did not care
to offend their customers: the regulation was intended to
prevent waste of water, simply, and as they had plenty of
water they didn't care about the waste. I failed also in the
attempt to convince the Secretaries that the Commissioners,
in framing regulation 14, must have had in view the removal
of a dangerous nuisance. It may be added that under the
regulations for the construction of drainage to new houses,
which have been enforced for some time past in this
parish, waste.pipes are not allowed to have direct communication
with the drains. But to resume.
The Local Government Board subsequently addressed a
communication to the Water Companies on the subject, and
these in turn prepared circular notices, (in varying terms),
which were left at every house in the districts of the several