View report page

27
detailed list of about 70 under-ground dwellings, nightly occupied, in
their district; they were all visited, carefully examined, and reported
upon. The Sanitary Committee afterwards went'round and viewed a
large number of these.
In some instances the sanitary conditions were very bad indeed, but
in many others, although the legal requirements were not fully
carried out, the Committee declined to take proceedings against the
occupiers ; but whenever the rooms were found to be damp, overcrowded,
ill-lighted, or badly ventilated, notices were served, and the
use of the rooms, for sleeping purposes, was almost immediately
discontinued.
WATER SUPPLY.
The East London Water Company now gives a constant supply to
about 106,043 services. The Directors have given instructions for
steps to be taken to give the whole of their district, within the Metropolitan
area, a constant supply. The whole of the parish of Bethnal
Green is now, and has been for some years, so supplied.
During the past year the reconstruction of filter beds five, six, and
seven, has been carried out upon the most approved principles, and
the filtering establishment of this Company is now complete.
The supply of water is drawn from impounding reservoirs at all
times, and the intake is closed during floods. Water Companies unprovided
with such reservoirs have to draw from the river at all times,
and during floods have to take in dirty water. The Southwark and
Vauxhall Company are in this condition; consequently, their filter
beds rapidly become choked up.
The East London Company have the power to draw water from the
Thames, if they require to do so, and for this purpose they have
auxiliary works at Sunbury. These woi'ks were closed during the
whole of the year, excepting the month of July ; and during this
month the water in the Thames was reported to be in good condition,
even before filtration.
The water in the river Lea, from which the chief supply of the
Company is taken, was reported to be in bad condition during the
months of January, February, March, October, November, and
December. During the remaining months it was good. These
remarks, of course, refer to the condition of the water before filtration.
"The exercise of Government supervision tends materially to the
effectual filtration and delivery of good water by the Companies to