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5
Quoting from the Reports of Dr. Frankland, the latter
water, although not filtered, is always pure and bright.
The quality of the Thames water is found to be variable,
the variations being not more than about 32 grains of solid
matter in the gallon. In the month of February there is
usually the highest average, and in the month of August the
lowest, much depending upon the amount of rainfall producing
floods, &c. Of the river water taken from the Thames, the
best average supplies were furnished by the Lambeth and
Chelsea Companies, but the river waters were much inferior
to the deep-well waters which were uniformly pure and
wholesome.
Foul Cisterns.
The purity of the water supplied by the Companies is of
diminished importance, if the cisterns for storing the water
are kept in a foul state from the connection between the overflow
pipe, and the closet or drain ; or from neglect in placing
cisterns in accessible situations, so that they may be easily
and frequently cleansed.
The Board of Trade regulations, 1872, relative to waste
pipes provide that no overflow or waste pipe other than a
warning pipe shall be attached to any cistern supplied with
water by a company.
The great and important remedy for the fouling of water
in cisterns, however, will be their entire removal, and the
substitution of a constant supply; which the companies should
be prepared to give without delay.
Sewer Gases.
Continued and watchful care is required to prevent the
ingress of foul air into dwelling houses from sewers and
drains.
Houses are constantly found which communicate with
drains by waste pipes, overflow pipes, sink pipes, waterclosets,
soil pipes within the house, bath pipes, and basin
pipes ; and although supposed to be secured by what are
called traps, still, from various causes, admit poisonous
gases, laden with the germs of infection. A great deal