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46
Frankland and Tidy, this Company's water has compared
favourably with the waters supplied to the
Metropolis by other companies. With the exception of
the East Ward, the whole of the Hamlet is now
supplied by constant service. This is a very great
boon, not only in giving a practically unlimited
supply, but by enabling the abolition for domestic
purposes of butts and cisterns in which water became
contaminated with all kinds of filth.
I am of opinion, however, that for the closet supply
there should be an intervening: cistern between the
closet waste preventer or flushing box and the main
supply, otherwise I feel confident there will be danger
of the water in the supply pipes and mains
becoming poisoned by sewer gases, more especially
if the apparatus of the box gets out of order,
the communication between sewer and water supply
being too direct, I believe I have traced mischief to
this condition. I have also seen instances in which
the pipes for the domestic and closet supplies were
placed at such levels that the action of one stopped or
emptied the pipe supplying the other, so that the
water in the pipe supplying the closet was drawn off
through the tap supplying the house. In this case
defective valves would ensure the water being charged
with sewer gases.
An unlimited and cheap water supply would be the
greatest aid to the physical, moral and sanitary improvement
of the people. With such supply accessible,
they would begin to learn the value and benefits of its
more frequent and plentiful application and general
use, both to themselves and their surroundings. As
to its potable use, we must at present rely to a great
extent upon the goodwill and energy of the various
companies supplying the Metropolis.
The East London Company appear to be doing their
utmost to deliver to their consumers as pure a supply