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146
But perfect filtration avails little if the water is allowed, as
frequently happens, to be fouled in the cisterns; whether through
the uncleanly condition of those receptacles or by the connection
of them with drains through the medium of "waste-pipes," which
the Companies only have the power to abolish, viz., under the
provisions of the 14th water regulation, which reads as follows:—
Regulation 14.—"No overflow or waste-pipe, other than a warning-pipe,
shall be attached to any cistern supplied with water by the Company,
and every such overflow or waste-pipe existing at the time when these
Regulations come into operation shall be removed, or at the option of the
consumer shall be converted into an efficient 'warning-pipe,' within two
calendar months next after the Company shall have given to the
occupier of, or left at the premises in which such cistern is situate, a
notice in writing requiring such alteration to be made."
Sir Francis Bolton remarks that—
"The particular object of the above regulation is to prevent the waste of
water; but if the overflow-pipe is brought outside the house, and the end left
exposed to the air, instead of being carried into the drain, as is often the case,
it will effect an object of far greater importance, by getting rid of the poisonous
effluvia and gases from the drains; which would otherwise ascend through the
pipe, and not only be partly absorbed by the water in the cistern, but be partly
mixed with the air in the houses, thereby becoming a cause of fever and
disease.''
These remarks are just, and because this is so I would again
urge that the Companies should be compelled to exercise their
power, or that the Vestries and District Boards should have coordinate
authority, to enforce the regulation. Meanwhile, the
attention of householders cannot be too frequently drawn to the
necessity for abolition of waste-pipes, and periodical cleansing of
cisterns for storing potable water. Cisterns, moreover, should be
properly covered so as to exclude light and dirt; and so placed
that the water may be kept cool in summer, without being in
danger of freezing in winter. When "constant supply" is given a
screw-down draw-off tap should be affixed to the rising main, or
service pipe, so that drinking and cooking water may be drawn
therefrom, fresh and uncontaminated, without the intervention of
cisterns, which are required for washing, flushing, baths, and
similar purposes. A stop-valve should be fixed outside the
premises, to prevent damage to the house, in case of pipes burst
by frost or other causes.