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19
not diminish. Surely it is time that they whose
business it is to supply us with water should look
farther afield for their intake, instead of confining their
efforts to the formation of new reservoirs and more
filtering beds. Rivers, notwithstanding legislative
enactments to prevent their pollution, are likely to
remain ready-made channels for receiving the waste
and more or less of the sewage of towns, and the surface
drainage of lands manured with products natural and
artificial. If water for drinking purposes, and that
which is required in the preparation of food, were
brought from some distant source, some lake "far from
gay cities and the ways of men," that which is at
present supplied by the Companies might be used for
all other purposes. With the main constantly charged,
and the supply-pipe carried up to every floor in a
house, a draught of potable water, fresh and of more
uniform temperature, could at all times be obtained.
No receptacle for its storage would be required. This
would in a sanitary point of view be no small gain,
seeing that the water we drink ought never to be taken
from cisterns which have any connexion direct or
indirect with closets, as with our existing arrangements
is too frequently the case. There are details as to
fittings, to which I cannot now refer. The condition
of cisterns and water-butts would then be of less
moment.
The most important complaint that came before me,
in connexion with the water-supply, was from a
parishioner in the neighbourhood of Westbourne Park.
Inspector Clifford, having satisfied himself that the