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47
imperfectly filtered condition the water is not suitable for drinking
purposes.
In October a similar Report was received with 960 parts Oxygen per
million required to oxidise organic matter, and then weekly samples
were taken in November, which proved fairly satisfactory.
The Reports of the Bacteriological Examinations in July showed an
excessive amount of Bacteria colonies. In August 1 c.c. of water
contained 1,400 colonies, and the Analyst reported that "the number
was very excessive, and fully confirms the unsatisfactory nature of the
water as indicated by the chemical analysis."
In September the colonies were still 1,000 per c.c. and the condition
commented on very unfavourably by Mr. Taylor.
In consequence of these reports your Clerk was instructed to send
copies to the East London Water Company, and make complaint to
that body as well as to the Local Government Board.
The Water Company's Engineer disputed the Analyst's statements,
and further added that Sir W. Crooks and Professor Dewar maintained
that the Chemical and Bacteriological Examinations in August were
exceedingly satisfactory, and that "the water as submitted to Mr. Leo
Taylor was certainly not as sent from the Company's works."
The report of the Company's own analysts of samples taken at the
same time and place as by your Officer, shows to me that the water was
unsatisfactory.
The "Oxygen required to oxidise the Organic Matter" per million
parts by their showing was .671 against .700 of your Analyst.
Of this there is no doubt that the oxygen consumed, or measure of
organic pollution, was excessive, and the late Professor Corfield held that
the excessive prevalence of Typhoid in St. George's, Hanover Square, at
certain portions of the year was due to water containing an excess of
organic matter.
That a water supply as delivered to the consumer should be pure and
good is a prime necessity, and the action taken was quite justified.
The suggestion here of the Water Company's Engineer is not justified,
namely, that the samples had been taken improperly.