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8,823,337 gallons were of uniformly good quality.
Of the remainder, which was river water, 69,947,394
gallons were at times largely polluted with organic
matters; and 62,495,818 gallons were occasionally so
polluted, but to a less extent. "The samples were
in all cases taken directly from the mains, at places
recommended by the Companies themselves, and
they were therefore unaffected by the deterioration
to which the water is liable in the cisterns of
consumers."
The temperature of the Thames water supplied
by the Chelsea, West Middlesex, Southwark, Grand
Junction, and Lambeth Companies varied from 40.5°
Fahr. in January to 68.5° in August; it was thus
but little above freezing point in winter, and was
unpalatably warm in summer. The temperature of
the water drawn from the Lea, and distributed by
the New River and East London Companies, ranged
from 41.2° Fahr. in December to 66.6° Fahr. in
August. The deep well water supplied by the Kent
Company varied from 43.7° Fahr. in December to
61.2° Fahr. in July. The Colne Valley Company's
water remained practically constant throughout the
year at 52° Fahr., as in 1881.
Dr. Frankland repeats his commendation of the
deep well waters, the best being supplied by the
Kent Company. He remarks that the water of the