Report of the Royal Commission Appointed to Inquire Into the Water Supply of the Metropolis (Classic Reprint) - Hardcover

Royal Commission On Metropolitan Water Supply

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0484471988 ISBN 13: 9780484471985

Publisher: Forgotten Books, 2018

Synopsis

A historic government inquiry into London’s water supply, tracing how rivers, chalk, and treatment shaped Metropolitan needs.

This edition presents the Royal Commission’s comprehensive examination of whether the Thames and Lea basins could supply London’s growing population with adequate, clean water. It covers how inquiries were organized, who was consulted, and the methods used to gather evidence from water companies, local authorities, and conservancy boards. The report also delves into geology and hydrology, showing how chalk formations, underground channels, and rainfall influence water yield and quality.

Readers will see the Commission’s careful consideration of pollution, regulation, and the practical challenges of treating river water before it reaches consumers. The material includes reflections on pumping from deep chalk wells, the effects on water levels, and the need for robust regression of pollution along river tributaries. It also discusses the logistical and legal hurdles for enforcing water-purity standards and the roles of various authorities in safeguarding public supply.

• How the inquiry was set up and who participated.
• Geology and hydrology the Commission used to estimate water supply.
• Pollution controls, conservancy powers, and the push for clearer regulations.
• Practical implications for settling London’s future water needs and treatment practices.

Ideal for readers interested in the history of London’s public works, water policy, and 19th‑century scientific and governmental inquiry.

Edition details

• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0484471988
• ISBN 13: 9780484471985
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 80