Sir F. Burdettsaid, he wished to call the attention of the Secretary for the Home Department to the state of the supply of Water to the Metroplis. It involved matters of great importance, and was closely connected with the health and comfort of the inhabitants. He could have wished that the report which had been made upon the subject had gone a little further than it did, and had pointed out, not only the defects of the present system, but also the remedy that might be applied to them. What he proposed was, to carry the inquiry a step further, and empower the committee to consider of a plan for the improvement of the water supplied to the metropolis. The opinion of engineers should be taken upon the subject, and the most practicable mode of procuring an abundant and wholesome supply of water investigated. What he now wished to 772 know was, whether the right hon. gentleman entertained any idea of this sort; and what course it was proposed to take in relation to a subject, of such importance to the health and comfort of the community? He hoped government would take upon itself this task of making the preliminary inquiry, and would not grudge a few hundred pounds in employing for that purpose some able and practical engineers. At all events he trusted the evil so loudly complained of would not be allowed to continue.
Mr. Secretary Peelsaid he had read the minutes of the report alluded to, with considerable interest. It was natural enough that companies formed in order to supply the metropolis with that essential of comfort, and indeed of life, should form these associations with a view to the private profit and emolument likely to arise out of the speculation. The next thing probably considered was the obtaining the supply required, and the last the quality of the water itself. Of these companies there were five principal Ones. The New River, the East London, West Middlesex, Chelsea, and Grand Junction Companies, supplying the northern parts of London and the city of Westminster. With reference to the evidence as respected the Grand Junction Water Company against the quality of whose water several insinuations had been thrown out during the examination, he did not think the water could be characterised as bad. It appeared from the statements in evidence—"That the portion of the town upon the north side of the river Thames, including the cities of London and Westminster, is supplied daily with a quantity of water amounting to nearly twenty-six millions of gallons, and that the total number of houses and buildings receiving this supply amounts to about one hundred and forty-four thousand. The water is of course very unequally distributed, the average consumption in each house being apparently greatest in the district supplied by the Grand Junction Company, where it amounts to about three hundred and sixty-three gallons daily per house. Taking the average of the whole supply, the daily consumption of each house is about one hundred and eighty gallons. Of this water, more than one half of which is derived from the Thames, a large portion is delivered at very considerable elevations above the level of the river, constituting what is 773 called high service; for which purpose fifteen steam-engines are employed, exerting a power of about one thousand one hundred and five horses." There was no doubt, therefore, that the supply was great and abundant. Then as to its alleged insalubrity, the evidence was rather against that presumption. Though it was asserted, that the supply of water was not free from the suspicion of insalubrity, there was no proof of indisposition having been occasioned by its use. At the same time it was impossible not to be convinced of the great impurity of the Thames water, and that, if it could be had, it would be highly desirable to obtain a supply from a purer source. For these ten years past the water had been deteriorating in quality; as was proved by various fishermen, who had found it necessary to abandon that mode of obtaining a livelihood, in consequence of the insalubrity of the water driving away the fish. In truth, the fisherman's trade was destroyed, and, strange to tell, eels, from Holland, imported here, would not live in Thames water. The great remedy proposed by the committee was filtration; and, perhaps, by filtering it the water might be cleansed of all insects or other matter suspended in it. Indeed, looking at the report itself, the objection against Thames water was one rather of feeling than of just or serious alarm. The next question of importance was, from what source the improved supply was to be obtained, and at whose expense? Certainly, it ought not to be provided by government, nor the expense defrayed by the public. If so, the supply would certainly never be procured at so cheap a rate as it had hitherto been, at the charge of individual projectors. The present immense supply of water was the fruit of private speculations. That splendid establishment at Edinburgh was a similar speculation. Why, then, was it to be supposed, if the public were dissatisfied with its supply, that another company would not arise making a purer supply the basis of its prospectus? He did not mean to hold out any encouragement to such a speculation, much less offer, any inducement to it. If then, the enterprise was not one in which government could with consistency interfere, certainly it ought not to interfere with the preliminary appointment of engineers, the choice of whom ought to rest with the companies who were to trust them with the administration and employment of 774 their capital. The project of the building of Waterloo-bridge and the Thames Tunnel, great as they were in the outlay, originated and were carried on by private speculators. Another important consideration was, that the interference of government would be likely to be very unpopular, as an interference with private property. If the public health required a very pure water, it appeared that such could not be procured from any part of the Thames on this side of Teddington. To the river Colne there were many objections. If in filtration no adequate remedy were to be found, possibly it would be attempted to be remedied by the formation of another company, which most probably would start upon that principle. As to the success of it, the parties interested in such a speculation must determine for themselves; but it would, for the reasons enumerated, be very improper and unwise that government should involve itself in the responsibility of such an enterprise. He did not think that it would be prudent for government to interfere in the appointment of those engineers who were to point out the manner in which individuals were to invest their property. The best way certainly would be, to let the persons undertaking the scheme employ those engineers whom they preferred, to take levels, and suggest plans for accomplishing the speculation.
§ Here the conversation dropped.