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179
Board, and by recommending the Companies to put the 14th
Regulation in force, and thereby bring about a much needed
sanitary improvement. Many of them did as requested.
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 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 ever spread in the Metropolis, it would be,
as on a former occasion, through the water supply, the great
importance of taking steps without loss of time to carry the said
regulation into effect," was pressed upon the attention of the
several Companies.
The Local Government Board subsequently addressed a
communication to the Companies on the subject of Regulation 14,
and these in turn prepared circular notices, which were left at
every house in the several districts. In every circular the regulation
was quoted in its entirety. Attention was drawn to the
excellent advice, upon cleansing and covering of cisterns, and
cutting-off of waste-pipes, which, from time to time, the late
Water Examiner embodied in his reports. A good deal of trouble
and expense was thus incurred—with what effect it is impossible
to say; it is however to be regretted that the Companies did not
go one step further and give the "notice" to every householder,
to cut off all connections of waste-pipes of cisterns with drains, as
they had been urged to do ; and thus, at no further expense to
their shareholders, and at little cost to individual householders,
effect an important sanitary reform. It would have been to their
interest; for many of the complaints respecting the water supply
are due to the connections of waste-pipes with drains, and if
this source of contamination were abolished, the Companies'
water would be held in greater repute.
We are told that waste-pipes will be abolished when constant
supply is given; but for this, large portions, in fact the bulk, of
the parish, will still have long to wait. Sir F. Bolton continued