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157
in the deep-well waters either of the Kent Company
or of the Tottenham Local Board of Health.
The proportion of organic material which the solid
matter invariably contains is, on the other hand, of
the greatest importance in connexion with the use of
the water for drinking purposes. For although the
actual amount of this organic matter is generally quite
insignificant in quantity, yet it may be of the most
objectionable character on account of its origin. Thus
the water, both of the Thames and the Lea, receives,
above the points where it is abstracted for the purpose
of the Metropolitan supply, various contributions of
organic matter of animal origin, such as the drainage
from manured land, the effluents from sewage works,
and even raw sewage itself. This animal matter may
at any time be accompanied by zymotic poisons
dangerous to health, and although the chance of such
substances reaching the water consumer is greatly
reduced, both by the filtration to which the water is
subjected by the Companies and by the care which is
exercised in excluding the flood-waters from their
reservoirs, yet, in spite of these protective measures,
there is no absolute guarantee that the noxious
ingredients, which may at any time be present, are
wholly removed. Under these circumstances, every
encouragement should be given to the Companies in
their efforts to improve the selection and purification
of the water, and to prevent the pollution of the
sources of supply.