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46
In several instances we were compelled to take legal proceedings and
obtain a Magistrate's order before our notices were complied with.
Very many closets in this parish are without any water supply for flushing
purposes, and though the owners of all houses built since 1855 are
obliged to provide this almost indispensable adjunct, such is not the case
with those built before this date, and legal proceedings to compel the
owners to do so can only be taken by a special order of the Vestry in each
case. This I endeavoured to obtain, but was unsuccessful.
WATER-CISTERNS AND HOUSE-FITTINGS.
The following useful directions to be observed in cleaning out watercisterns,
and in examining sanitary house fittings, are issued by the
Society for the Sanitary Inspection and Construction of Houses:—
1. In cleaning out water-cisterns, great care must be taken not to allow any of the
deposit to get into or pass down the service-pipes; these must be plugged, and the
residue of water must be taken out with sponge and bucket. If the cisterns are of lead,
or lined with lead, they must not be scraped.
2. After the cisterns have been cleaned out, the covers (if any) should be replaced,
the efficiency of the ball-taps should be tested, and the ball, levers, and cranks oiled.
3. Examine whether there is a stop-cock in the main service; if so, its description
and working condition.
4. Examine whether the cisterns are covered; whether they have overflow-pipes, and
if such overflows discharge into the open air or into any soil-pipe, closet, or drain.
5. Examine the service-pipes and valves of all water-closets to see whether they act
properly, and note from what cistern the water comes, i. e., whether there is a separate
cistern for drinking water, or whether the same cistern supplies the water for drinking
and domestic purposes, as well as for the use of the water-closets.
6. Examine the nature and condition of the safes, traps, soil, and waste-pipes, etc.,
connected with all water-closets, baths, and sinks, to see if they are in good working
order or otherwise.
7. Examine the soil-pipe throughout its course, to see whether it is air-tight or not;
any points of leakage should be noted. Useful hints to householders are, that all houses
should be supplied with a stop-cock, so that in case of severe frost, or in the event of
repairs, the water can be easily turned off without having to hunt for the regular official,
and causing great inconvenience to neighbours by having to turn off at the main. All
water-cisterns should have a properly-fitted cover. It is advisable, when practicable, to
provide a separate system for the storage of water for drinking and household purposes,
distinct from the cisterns that supply the water-closets. The frictional parts of all
sanitary fittings should be kept regularly oiled. The seats of water-closets should be
loose or fixed with hinges, so that the apparatus underneath can be examined without
disturbing the woodwork. It is of great importance that all pipes and fittings should be
easily come-at-able. To prevent the bursting of pipes in severe frost, the water should be
turned off at the main, and the supply for immediate daily use should be stored in
buckets. Covering cisterns and pipes with thick boiler felt, or casing them in sawdust,
will generally prevent the water from freezing.