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68
At one of the farmhouses in the district, as there had
been cases of infectious disease occurring- over an extended
period, and no sufficient explanation was obtainable, a sample
of the water from a shallow well supplying the house was
submitted to Dr. Thresh for analysis, who stated " that this
water is of a very curious character, is good bacteriologically
but bad chemically. At present the water must be regarded
with suspicion."
As there was another shallow well less than 100 yards
away, an analysis cf this was also made, as possibly providing
an alternative better supply. The result of this was
that he said, " This water is loaded with saline matter, is
excessively hard, contains an excess of organic matter, and
the bacteriological examination shows that this is from a
dangerous source."
Accordingly the first well was opened out, cleaned, tree
roots, etc., removed, with satisfactory results.
In May a sample of the South Essex water was submitted
for analysis, with the result that the report stated :
" This was a water of the highest degree of organic purity,
and bacteriologically it is above suspicion. The hardness is
only 7 degrees. A purer and better water for the purposes of
a public supply it would be impossible to obtain."