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tive cleansing or removal of the mud and other offensive
matter deposited at the bottom of the Basin.*
Amongst the remedies 1. a concrete bottom has
been suggested. 2. The water to be changed much more
frequently than it is, and could be done by letting it
off occasionally. 3. It might even be converted into
a running stream.† 4. It would be quite feasible to
buy the ground for building purposes, and remove the
noxious businesses further into the country.
It should have a thorough cleansing during winter
months, and dredges used all the year round. But the
putrid water, whether let off or not, will always be a
very great annoyance to the inhabitants of the District,
as well as to those residing in the line of sewers through
which the water passes. On one occasion the running
off of the water made the tunnel of the Metropolitan
Railway exceedingly offensive.
* Note.—From my Sixth Quarterly Report as Public Analyst for Sept. 1874.
The water of the Canal Basin, between Bishop's Road and Praed Street, was examined
nearly every day during the hot weather of July 1874, and is continued at
intervals, the object being to make a record of the actual organic, or sewage contamination
of the water.
July 7th.—The temp, of the water, 4°F. higher than the atmosphere in the shade.
Three dead cats were observed. The odour from the water was very strong, and
large bubbles of gas rose frequently from the decomposing matter at the bottom.
Two samples of this gas were examined and found to contain Marsh gas, sulhuretted
hydrogen and carbonic acid. Such exhalations may be injurious to the
ealth of persons who breathe air contaminated with them.
July 18th.—Temp, of water 70° F. Colour, greenish yellow, very strong odour.
Three dogs under Bishop's Road Bridge in a state of decomposition. Free
ammonia very high.
July 29th.—Temp. 68° F., temperature of air 62° F. Water, yellow green—
muddy. Manurial refuse visible. Organic impurity about the same in amount as
when last taken.
Very little change in water till Aug. 10th, when the general temperature is lower.
Sept. 3rd.—Analyses shew little difference in amount of latent organic impurity,
but it is less evident to the senses, probably owing to the atmospheric causes.
Chemically speaking, the water is little better than sewage.
† Report on the pollution of the water and cleansing of the Canal Basin, 1868.