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15
have recently ascertained that water cisterns near
water closets, and supplying water closets, are very
liable to absorb and become contaminated with the
gases from the use of the water closet. Such water
is most objectionable for drinking purposes, and too
much care cannot be taken to prevent the contamination
of which I speak. I have reported to you
from time to time on the state of the wells of the
parish. With the exception of that in Piccadilly,
they are all unfit for drinking purposes—not so
much on account of their immediate danger, but
that they are liable to contamination from the
sewers and drains, and contain at all times a large
proportion of organic matter from the soakage of
the soil. My own experiments on this subject have
been confirmed by Dr. R. D. Thomson, Dr. Letheby,
and other Medical Officers of Health in London,
and, with the exception of our own Parish, these
surface well pumps have been nearly all closed
throughout London. There is less necessity than
ever for offering the public the filtered sewage of
these pumps, now that there exists so large a
number of public fountains, the water of which
passes through properly constructed filters, and is
free from any objection. I would also here remind
you that, by the provisions of the amended Metropolitan
Management Act, Vestries have the power of
erecting public fountains, and maintaining them in
order, out of the Parish rates. There are many
sites in St. James's adapted for public fountains