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instead of being carried into a drain, as is often the case. By the
adoption of this plan, poisonous effluvia and gases from drains will
be got rid of, which would otherwise ascend through the pipe, and
not only be partly absorbed by the water in cisterns, but be mixed
with the air in the houses, thereby becoming a cause of disease.
The attention of consumers has been drawn to the fact, that in
houses supplied on the constant system, all danger of drinking
stale or contaminated water from cisterns may be avoided if the
following recommendation is carried into practice, viz.:—To attach
a small draw-off tap to the communication pipe which supplies
the cistern from the main in the street, from which water may be
drawn at any moment day or night, direct from the works; thereby
taking full advantage of any efforts made by the Companies to
purify the water to the utmost extent.
This water should be used for drinking and cooking, and the
contents of cisterns made use of for washing, flushing, baths, and
similar purposes. The samples of water which I have examined,
have generally been found clean, bright, and well filtered, and the
supply has been abundant. The District is supplied by two Companies,
viz.—by the Lambeth Waterworks from the Thames at
Molesey, and by the Southwark and Vauxhall Waterworks from
the Thames at Hampton.
In directing your attention to the work which has been performed
by Mr. Buckworth, your Sanitary Inspector, I wish to
testify to the indefatigable industry and energy which that Officer
has displayed.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant.
ROBERT BIANCHI.
25, Stamford Street, S.E.
April 9th, 1884.