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78
"These solid matters are almost wholly composed of mineral
substances, which, in these proportions, in no way diminish
the fitness of water for drinking. But the salts of lime and
magnesia which constitute the principal part of these
mineral ingredients are objectionable, not only because they
impart to the water what is known as "hardness," and thus
render it unsuitable for washing, but also because they cause
incrustations and deposits in steam and kitchen boilers and
hot water pipes. The small proportion of organic material
which the solid matter invariably contains is on the other
hand of the greatest importance in connexion with the use
of the water for drinking purposes. For, although the actual
amount of this organic matter is generally quite insignificant,
yet it may be of the most objectionable character on account
of its origin.

"Thus, of the Deep Well waters, that supplied by the Kent
Company contained least organic matter, whilst of the river
waters, that supplied by the New River Company was the
best in this respect, the East London Company's water
ranking with the best of the Thames Waters"