HH62/2/RENFRE/43

Transcription

[Page] 42

notwithstanding, the quality of the water is reported to have been
but little improved, and in 1877 the 'North Brae Well' was sunk.
The supply from this well appears to have been insufficient, and the
Cross Well appears to have been intermittently resorted to until
1883, when the water was again analysed, and the well closed. In
1884, and again in 1888, requisitions from Crosslee, and Houston and
Crosslee, for the formation of a Water-supply District, appear to have
been presented to the Local Authority, but on account of opposition
were nipped in the bud. In 1887 a requisition was presented from
the inhabitants of Bridge-of-Weir (Houston) to have that village
formed into a Water-supply District, and such a district was accord-
ingly formed. Not before the time! The water of the village wells
was found, on examination, to be extremely polluted, the analyst de-
claring the water of one well ('Lang's Well') to be the worst he had
ever examined, and to have been the equivalent of undiluted sewage,
filtered. The Local Authority, being unable to arrange for a water-
supply from Barlogan, resorted to the Carruth Burn. There is no
reservoir in connection with this scheme; the 'works' consist simply
of an intake from the burn, a filter, a 'clean-water tank,' and the
necessary piping. The money borrowed upon this scheme has been
£2294. The water-rate for the year 1891-92 was 1s. 2 5/6d. per £. on
Owners, 4 2/9d, on Tenants of agricultural subjects, and 1s. 2 2/3d. on
Tenants of other subjects.
The Inverkip Water-supply is derived from a bounteous spring
issuing just above the village; its waters are conducted into a large
white-enamelled brick tank, from which the supply descends by
gravitation, through a comparatively short range of distributing
pipes, to the village. Even in so dry a season as last it was not found
necessary to curtail the villagers' supply of water; if, however, any
additional demand were made upon the tank, it would have to be
considerably enlarged. The sum borrowed in connection with this
Water-supply Scheme was only £500, and the water-rate for the
year 1891-92 was only 2 1/2d. per £. on Owners, and 2 1/2d. on Tenants.
The Village of Linwood constitutes a Water-supply District, which
in consequence of the circumstances of the case, manages itself auto-
matically. In its inception, an agreement was entered into with the
Paisley Water Commission, whereby the latter undertook to supply
the District with water, upon a guarantee that the water rate to be
levied would yield the Commission interest at the rate of ten per
cent. upon the outlay involved in the extension of their water-mains,

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provision of distributing pipes etc. This guarantee was furnished
by the contribution of the sum necessary to yield the requisite
security, by public-spirited gentlemen connected with the District.
The assessment for 1891-92, - under exceptionally favourable circum-
stances, it is true - was only at the rate of 2 1/2d. per £. on Owners,
33/40d. on Tenants of agricultural subjects, and 2 3/4d. on Tenants of other
subjects.
The Village of Langbank is supplied by agreement with the Port-
Glasgow Commission, and the Villages of Blackstoun and Clippens
obtain their water-supply, by agreement entered into between the
proprietors and the Paisley Water Commission, from the Paisley
mains.
One of the most gratifying circumstances in the sanitary history of
the year was the formation of the Village of Kilbarchan into a Special
Water-Supply District. The Village has up till this time been de-
pendent upon wells for its water-supply. These wells were known
to be extensively contaminated. The drought of the early summer,
a wave of sickness which passed over the village at the same time,
and (I venture to hope) a special report upon the water-supply of the
village prepared by myself, brought matters to a climax, and the vil-
lage was formed into a Water-supply District without opposition.
Negotiations were entered into with the Paisley Water Commission,
a deputation waited upon that body, and it was finally arranged that
the Commission should grant a supply of water to the District and
carry out the necessary work, recouping themselves by charging a
water-rate of 11d. per £. It may be hoped that ere long the Com-
mission may see its way to accede to the original proposition of a
water-rate yielding ten per cent. on their outlay, always provided
that the rate to be levied shall not in any year be less than the Pais-
ley rate, plus 1d. in the £ of public water-rate.
In winding up this statement of the condition of the Public Water-
supply of the Second District, I have to remark that the Villages of
Howwood, Crosslee, Houston, and Bishopton remain still without a
proper supply of water, and that the condition of affairs in this re-
spect, especially in Crosslee and Houston, demands the most serious
consideration of the Local Authority.

THE CONDITION OF THE DRAINAGE OF VILLAGES IN THE COUNTY.

Under this heading I have to treat of the most difficult problem
which the new county sanitary authorities will have to encounter.