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and vegetable matter, and then the upper layer is scraped off and
removed. Renewals of sand should take place periodically as the
layer becomes reduced below an assigned minimum.
But 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. The
attention of householders cannot be too frequently drawn to the
necessity for the abolition of waste-pipes, and the periodical cleansing
of cisterns used 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 puposes. 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.
The quantity of water for domestic purposes supplied by
the Grand Junction, the West Middlesex, and the Chelsea
Companies respectively, last year, averaged 29.08; 23.35; and
28.41 gallons, daily, per head of estimated population; and 262,
175, and 224 gallons per house. The "intake" of the Chelsea
Company is at West Molesey, the intakes of the other Companies
being at Hampton. The Grand Junction Company has constructed
a new intake, on a small island composed of clean
ballast, about one mile above the original intake: the water
percolates through the ballast and so enters the conducting
culvert in a clear condition. This Company's supply, moreover,
is supplemented from sand and gravel beds at Hampton, the
Company having a complete system of underground collection of
water on about 20 acres of land, and being able, during the time