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133
the general improvement in the quality of the water
which has for some years been observed.
The temperature of the water chiefly from the
Thames supplied by the Chelsea, West Middlesex,
Southwark, Grand Junction, and Lambeth Companies,
was practically identical with that of the water chiefly
from the Lea, distributed by the New River and East
London Companies, and ranged from 38°3 Fahr. in
January to 68°4 Fahr. in July.
The temperature of the deep well water delivered
by the Kent Company varied only from 54°3 Fahr. in
November to 56°3 Fahr. in July, and is therefore
refreshing and palatable in summer and less likely to
be frozen in the service pipes in winter.
The largest amount of solid matter, consisting
almost entirely of mineral ingredients, principally the
salts of lime and magnesia, which are quite immaterial
as regards the fitness of the waters for drinking purposes,
but render the water hard and unfit for washing,
was found in the deep well supplies of the Kent Company
and of the Tottenham Local Board of Health.
The deep well water furnished by the Colne Valley
Company being treated with lime before delivery
contains less than one-half of the solid matter in the
river waters, and less than one-third of that in the
deep well waters, either of the Kent Company or of
the Tottenham Local Board of Health.