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13
of water for analysis in this parish, as almost every
house in the district is supplied with water from the
Companies' mains. Two houses in Grove Park only
derive their supply from wells. It is.however a matter
of the utmost importance that a constant supply
of water should be obtained for every house in the
parish, and that the use of cisterns as a storage for
drinking water should be abolished.
Beyond an abundant supply of water, the advantages
of a constant supply, as far as the public health
is concerned, are few, if cisterns are to be retained,
and for this reason alone I have refrained from pressing
the subject of a constant supply, unless the Board
had power to compel the several owners to fix a
" draw-off tap" to the main. The improper position
of drinking water cisterns is constantly brought to our
notice, and in addition to this, they are very seldom
cleansed.
With the Board's permission, I ordered the distribution
of about 500 circulars in various parts of
the parish during the Summer months, urging the
necessity of periodical cleansing of cisterns. I have
frequently inspected houses where the cleansing of
drinking water cisterns is overlooked. Early in the
year I inspected the houses in Hunt Street, where I
found the cisterns situated beneath the floors in a
filthy condition; and on the Glebe Estate, where the
small cisterns are placed on the first floor landing or in
anterooms, it has been proved that the water is taken
therefrom by dirty receptacles. From these facts, I
have no hesitation in saying that if the water used
for drinking purposes could be taken direct from the
main, the sickness in our parish would be greatly
reduced. I find that the Water Companies will allow