SUPPLY PIPES, VALVES, ETC.

The iron pipes, &c., used were cast by Messrs. Firinstone & Co., and were tested at the foundry up to a pressure of 500 feet; they were all coated in accordance with Dr. Angus Smith's process, and they were jointed with yarn and lead in the usual manner, the sockets of all straight pipes having a groove provided to hold the lead. The pipes were laid in true gradients, with special air valves at all summit levels, as well as at other places. After the pipes, &c., were laid in the trench and jointed, but before the soil was replaced, they were tested by hydraulic pressure in sections varying in length, but seldom more than 100 yards, to suit the various cases, in the following manner. The sections were tested between ordinary sluice valves fixed on the line of piping; and at the upper end of each length a hydrant was fixed. The pipes were then charged with water either from a water cart or from the source of supply, and a removable stand pipe fixed on the hydrant, to which was attached by an ordinary screw connection a small tube, the other end of which was connected to a test pump. The pressure put upon the pipes was never less than 100 lb. to the square inch, and while this pressure was kept up the pipes and joints were thoroughly examined. The result of these testings showed their practical value, as any faulty pipe or unsound joint was immediately discovered and replaced or repaired at the cost of the contractor engaged in laying and jointing the pipes. The length of pipes tested was 12,178 yards, also 53 valves, 77 hydrants, and 4762 joints. The number found defective was 4 pipes, 2 valves, 1 hydrant, and 33 joints. The cost of the whole of the operations was 397., including the cost of the test pump. In connection with this matter it may be mentioned that a Kennedy's meter fixed on the main pipe on the outskirts of the town enabled a further test of the pipes, joints, &c., to be made; as, upon the completion of the works when the mains were all fully charged with water, the dials of the meter were watched for a period of twelve hours, and no movement was observable during that period, which would have been the case had any water passed from the pipes by leakage in the town. Bateman and Moore's hydrants were fixed throughout, and distances of 100 yards, or oftener, were thought desirable, as a protection against fire to particular buildings. The branch mains are coupled together so that most of the streets can be supplied from either end. There are two outlets into the river Thames for

the purpose of emptying the mains when requisite. A self-recording clock water-gauge is fixed in the waterworks office, and registers the pressure upon the mains every ten minutes. When no water is passing into the town, as at night or early morning, this pressure is equal to the height of water or static pressure in the reservoir.

METERS.

The supply to consumers (which commenced in September 1880), both for domestic and trade purposes, is by meter solely, and was decided upon by the Corporation, after mature deliberation, with the distinct object of preventing waste. The price charged is now 1s. per 1000 gallons; but, previous to September last, 1s. 6d. per 1000 gallons. Sixpence extra per 1000 gallons is charged to consumers outside the limits of the borough. The meters used are known as Tylor's Patent, and are fixed by the Corporation, in a cast-iron box with a movable cover, near to the confines of the properties of the consumers. The lead pipe from the mains to the meters is also laid by the Corporation.

The rent charged to consumers is

The above charge is calculated at the rate of 10 per cent. upon the cost of the meter. In all cases the meters are smaller than the service pipe, that is, " meters would be used for 4" service pipes, " meters for 1" service pipes, and 1" meters for 14" service pipes, &c.; the connections on the meters being specially made for this purpose by the makers at the author's suggestion. Since the meters have been in use, two have proved defective. An apparatus for testing the meters has been fixed, and all doubtful meters are taken off and tested; except, however, in the case of the two defective ones mentioned above, they have proved to be correct.

There has been no pressure put upon the inhabitants in any way to compel them to take the water, but there is no doubt that such will be done in the case of many courts and cottages, as already the Medical Officer of Health has reported upon the want of it in numerous instances. Consumers are also allowed to have the water laid on to their premises for drinking purposes, only using their

present pumps in those cases for washing and other purposes. The result of this will be seen in the fact that only 118 connections (at the rate of about 50 per annum) have been made with the mains, supplying 170 houses, and also that the consumption of water, including several cases of waste, does not average more than 5.99 gallons per head per day, assuming that 5 persons occupy each house. The income from these 118 consumers, calculated at the rate of consumption for the quarter ending March 23rd last, would amount to 937. per annum. The rateable value of these 118 consumers, or rather the 170 houses, &c., is 30647.; the income therefore equals a rate of 74d. in the £ per annum. Taking one special case, in which the water is used for all purposes, the house, &c., is rated at 597. per annum, and occupied by 18 persons, the consumption was 62,000 gallons for the year ending March 25th last, thus being equal to 9.38 gallons per head per day, and a rate of 18. Od. in the £.

PATENT JOINTS FOR LEAD PIPES, ETC.

Tylor's patent joints for connecting meters, stop-taps, ferrules, &c., to lead pipes without solder are exclusively used, and found to answer admirably; in no case have they failed. No skilled labour is required in their use, and they can be made in a few seconds in any weather.

Morris's patent apparatus for drilling mains under pressure is used, and is most satisfactorily applied.

Upon the completion of the whole of the works, but before any connections to private consumers were made, a series of tests were made, with the object of testing in a more accurate manner both the yield of the spring at various depths below the surface of the ground, and also the action of the syphon, in cases of sudden or continued draught upon the spring. The water was made to pass through the Kennedy's meter, and out at one of the outlets in the river Thames. By the aid of the selfrecording clock register attached to the meter, which showed the quantity of water passing, and the rate of flow the tests were greatly facilitated. The results were as follows:

During the tests no difficulty was experienced with the syphon, nor was it put out of action by any sudden starting or stopping of the flow of water. One test specially made, by suddenly causing the water to flow at the rate of 450 gallons per minute for a period of ten minutes, and then as suddenly stopping the flow, did not affect the working of the syphon.

The regulations under which water will be supplied, and also a form of application for water supply, is appended.

ABINGDON URBAN SANITARY AUTHORITY WATERWORKS.

REGULATIONS UNDER WHICH WATER WILL BE SUPPLIED.

1. Persons requiring a supply of water must fill up, sign, and deliver a form of application, to be obtained at the Borough Surveyor's office.

2. The authority will lay all the communicating pipes within 1 foot of the boundaries of private properties, and will fix a suitable stop-cock to effect disconnection when necessary. All internal pipes and fittings must be executed at the cost of the owner or occupier of the premises subject to the approval of the authority, and to inspection by their officers and servants at such times as they may consider necessary. Existing internal pipes and fittings will likewise be subject to the rules and regulations of the authority, and must, if necessary, be altered so as to conform to their requirements, before connection is made with the main pipes.

3. No house or premises shall, except with the consent of the authority, have more than one communicating pipe.

4. All service pipes should be of lead and of not less than the following weights, viz.:

As a protection against frost the pipes must be laid 2 feet below the surface of the ground, and be properly covered in every exposed situation. All lead joints must be wiped or plumber's joints. If iron pipes be preferred by the consumer they must be of the best high-pressure steam pipe, and be used only above ground, and in such situations as the authority's officers may deem to be safe and unobjectionable.

5. To secure to consumers a sufficient supply when the general

draught is greatest, a cistern to be called the house cistern, holding not less than 25 gallons (increasing in size in proportion to the size of the house), must be provided in each dwelling. This cistern must be absolutely water-tight, properly covered, and placed so as to admit of inspection, and must be provided with a valve ball-tap, with inlet pipe securely fixed to the side thereof. The ball-tap must be so fixed as not to be submerged when the cistern is full, the level of water being so regulated that at such times it shall be 3 inches below the overflow. The overflow which shall partake of the character of a warning pipe, shall be fixed in a position and manner approved by the authority.

6. Water-closets and urinals must in all cases be supplied with water by cisterns separate from the house cisterns which conserve water for use in the kitchen boiler where one exists, or for other domestic purposes.

7. All separate cisterns used for the supply of water-closets and urinals shall be so constructed as to discharge a limited and proper quantity of water each time they are used, and the means adopted for this end must be approved by the authority.

8. Cisterns may be of cast or wrought iron, wooden cisterns must have metallic lining. If lead lining is used it should weigh 5 lb. to the square foot, if the lining be of zinc the minimum weight of the metal should be 16 oz. to the square foot. All cisterns must be properly protected from the influence of the sun, as well as from frost.

9. A tap shall be placed on the communicating pipe supplying the house cistern, in order that water may be drawn for drinking and culinary purposes only, without passing through the cistern.

10. No pipe for the conveyance of water supplied by the authority shall communicate with any cistern, bath, boiler, or other receptacle not approved by the authority, and no bath shall be so constructed that water can flow into and out of it at the same time.

11. No overflow or waste pipe will be allowed in connection with any cistern other than one partaking of the character of a warning pipe, which shall be so placed that the discharge of water may be seen and prevented directly an overflow takes place, and it shall not be moved without the consent of the authority. It is particularly directed that no overflow pipe shall communicate with any sewer, drain, or water-closet.