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39
had practical experience in what is actually wanted,
that I may venture to throw out some suggestions.
Fortunately, the experience of Glasgow, Manchester,
Liverpool, Norwich, Sheffield, and Leeds is most
complete, and the various details that have been elaborately
worked out by able engineers may be found
in the recent Parliamentary Reports of (W. Pole,
F.R.S., &c.) the late Secretary of the Royal Commission
on Water Supply.* No one should venture
to settle permanent Bye-laws and Regulations for
London without consulting his Reports. The following
is a short summary of the most useful
information on this head:—
a. The lead service pipes must be of a prescribed size and
strength, and the joints must be made in a particular manner.
b. In some towns it is stipulated that a stop-cock shall be
introduced in the service pipe, to enable it to be shut off from
the street main when required. (See Manchester Report,
paragraph 12).
c. Waterclosets must not be supplied directly from the main,
but must always be provided with a cistern or service box, of
prescribed construction, to prevent waste.
d. Cisterns are not considered necessary for the ordinary
domestic supply, but are prescribed for special uses.
e. Every cistern must be provided with a ball-cock of
prescribed construction.
f No waste or overflow pipe from any cistern, bath, or other
water receptacle is allowed to communicate with a drain, or be
so placed that this water may run away unseen. Such pipe
must have its lower end brought outside the house, and exposed
to public view, so that any leakage from it may attract attention.
g. All taps for drawing water must be of prescribed construction.
h. In regard to private baths no very definite rules appear
yet to have been enforced.
i. All the fittings must be of such a quality and arranged in
such a manner as the authorities shall approve, and must be
inspected and certified by them before the water is laid on.
Note.—General Report on the application of the system of Constant
Service, March, 1872.