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which is being recognised; and which, moreover, is probably
capable of being far more largely utilized while the
integrity of the ground, in respect of pollution, is assured,": for,
of course, with the growth of population, and its nearer approach to
such sources of supply, the risk of sewage-pollution increases; such
risk, arising in a greater or less degree from the manuring of surface
lands. "This being the case, there exists always the possibility of
the introduction of specific matter of a noxious character."
"On the 31st December," 1890, the Water Examiner
states, "the works belonging to the eight companies included
54 subsiding and storage reservoirs for unfiltered water,
with an aggregate surface area of 481¼ acres, and a capacity
of 1,300,100,000 gallons; 59 reservoirs for the storage of
filtered water, with a capacity of 215,792,000 gallons, of
which 57 were covered; 4,758 miles of water pipe; 17,252
hydrants; and 104 filters, with a surface area of 102½ acres.
There were also 184 steam pumping engines of an aggregate
of 21,659-horse power;" a truly gigantic "Plant," and
various additions to the works were and continuously are
in progress.
Deterioration of Water in Dirty Cisterns.— The late
Water Examiner was wont, in his monthly reports, to call attention
to the deterioration of water in dirty and uncovered cisterns, and
to the necessity for the abolition of waste-pipes in connection with
drains; and in 1881 the Local Government Board addressed a
circular letter to the Sanitary Authorities on this subject. In 1883,
moreover, when an outbreak of cholera was thought to be
imminent, the Medical Officer to the Board prepared and issued a
Memorandum, in which special attention was called to the necessity
for severing "any connections of waste-pipes of cisterns with drains''
Fully alive to the importance of these recommendations, I had always
instructed the Sanitary Inspectors to examine cisterns in the course
of their inspections—where practicable; for cisterns are not seldom
so placed as to be inaccessible to ordinary examination. The
Sanitary Authority, however, has no control over the placing of