View report page

168
The suggestion he makes is that "the Main Drainage Committee
should appoint an engineer and a chemist of position, to
report to them on the whole question of the treatment and
disposal of the sewage as a basis for future action."]
WATER SUPPLY.
Cutting-off Powers of the Companies.—Regulations
authorized by the Water Act of 1852 were framed by the
Companies in 1872, consequent on the passing of the Water
Act, 1871. The "Metropolitan Authority" (Metropolitan
Board of Works) declined any responsibility in regard to the
regulations—which were allowed by the Board of Trade—disapproving
of the provisions with respect to fittings, which they
considered would entail an unduly heavy outlay on the consumers.
I have always contended, but as yet without success,
that the Sanitary Authority should have co-ordinate power
with the Companies to enforce certain of the regulations which
appear to have been framed in the interests of Public Health ;
especially Regulation 14, which enables the Companies to cut
off all connexions of waste-pipes of cisterns with drains; the
Companies, for the most part, regarding this Regulation simply
as a provision for preventing waste. Your Vestry, upon my
recommendation, applied to the Local Government Board to
obtain legislative power to enable the Sanitary Authority to
enforce the regulation; but without result, although the application—which
was endorsed by many of tho Yestries and District
Boards—arose out of a recommendation by the Board's Medical
Officer, that such severance should be made, when it was
thought that Asiatic cholera might be imported, and although
his advice was in harmony with the views of the (late) Water
Examiner. The Companies possess, under section 74 of the
Waterworks Clauses Act, 1847, power to cut off the domestic
water supply if the rate is not paid. Such a power cannot be
safely entrusted to any commercial body, having regard to the
importance of the water supply in relation to the public health.