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179
still very emphatically declared both by the chemical
and bacteriological examinations.
All the samples examined were taken directly from
the mains of the several Companies. In addition to
the chemical analysis to which each sample was submitted,
the temperature of the water as it issued from
the main, at the time of its collection, was determined,
and the appearance which it exhibited on being viewed
in a two-foot tube was recorded. Nearly all the
samples were submitted to bacteriological examination.
Temperature: Although the average temperature
differs but little for the several supplies, the monthly
variation in the case of the river waters is very great,
whilst the temperature of the deep-well water is practically
constant throughout the year. Thus the water
principally derived from the Thames and supplied by
the Chelsea, West Middlesex, South wark, Grand
Junction, and Lambeth Companies, varied in temperature
from 37°.6 Fahr. in January to 68°.0 Fahr. in
August, and the water of the Lea distributed by
the New River and East London Companies fluctuated
from 38°.8 Fahr. in January to 66°.9 Fahr. in August.
The deep-well water of the Kent Company on the
other hand, was free from these violent fluctuations,
and practically maintained a constant temperature
throughout the year This uniformity of temperature
of deep-well water is of considerable importance, as
the water is cool and refreshing in summer and is less
likely to become frozen in the service-pipes in winter.