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32
The samples taken confirmed this, and the Water Board
promised to, and had the mains flushed daily for sometime.
In August I called the attention of the Water Board, and afterwards
the Sanitary Committee, to the action of the Officials in cutting
off water supplies for repairs in consequence of leakages on service
pipes and the delays taking place before reconnection is made.
A particular gross instance was of six houses at which the supply
was withdrawn during the hot weather in August. The leakage was
at the stop cock and the tenants stated that it had existed for over
a year. Periods of five to eleven days elapsed before the supplies
were restored.
It is needless to point out the danger to health from such
proceedings, to say nothing of the inconvenience caused to the
occupiers. The Council made strong representations to the Water
Board and asked that steps should be taken to prevent a recurrence.
Notices in respect of 51 houses were received during the year
notifying that the supplies had been withdrawn for the following
causes:—26 for leakage, 7 premises empty, and 18 for non-payment of
water rate. In all cases where the premises were found to be
occupied notices were served compelling either the occupier or owner
whichever was responsible for the payment of the rates or repairs of
defective fittings or pipes, to reinstate the supply. This the Water
Board will not do until after the arrears and in some instances a
quarter in advance, and also the cost of opening the road has been
paid.
The Sanitary Authorities are therefore in practice made a lever
whereby the Water Board recover their debts, although generally the
person by whose act or default the supply is withdrawn is not the
person put to the inconvenience but the tenants. It is therefore under
such circumstances very undesirable in the interests of the community
that the Water Board should have the power to make a house
insanitary through the non-payment of the water rates. They should
be compelled to recover their debts through the Courts in the same
way as a gas company does.