122 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. [Vol. 



IX. 



the cost of filtration, and prove at the same time a great sani- 

 ary benefit. With regard to the cost of filtration I ascertained 

 when last in Liverpool, that the cost of filtering 11 millions of 

 gallons per diem, including cleansing and change of filters and 

 interest of Capital, involved a comparatively small outlay and 

 was maintained at a rate of £1250 sterling per annum, say $575 

 per annum for each million gallons per diem. The balance of 

 the Liverpool supply is drawn from well water naturally filtered 

 throuo:h the red sandstone rock. 



Under the intermittent system the consumption in Liverpool 

 was on the whole average 33^ gallons per head, per day ; in cer- 

 tain districts 58 to 69 gallons per head per day. Under the 

 constant service system this fell to 19^ gallons per head per day. 

 Under the system of district meters and inspection this is now 

 reduced to 12 gallons per head per day, with a constant, more 

 uniform and ample supply. Now a consumption of 33|^ gallons 

 per head per day indicates a waste of 21 gallons per head per 

 day and this saving is effected at a cost of one farthing per 1000 

 gallons, whilst an additional supply must be reckoned to cost 

 from 5d to 6d per 1000 gallons. 



I venture to think that the adoption of the Liverpool district 

 plan in Montreal, of which filtration is the first element, would 



Istly. Douhle the available suj)ply. 



2ndly. Afford also, a spare head of water for flushing sewers 

 and cleansing streets. 



3rdly. Improve the sanitary condition of the city by the 

 supply 0^ filtered water and thus guard against prevailing endemic 

 and threatened epidemic disease, reduce the rate of infant mor- 

 tality, and promote the general health and sobriety of the citizens 

 at laro'e. 



Next to a really satisfactory supply of water to the city, the- 

 important and increasing necessities of the suburban districts 

 demand consideration and timely relief. Either by extension of 

 the city limits or by developments of the water supply to the 

 suburbs, it is obvious that some better provisions for water 

 supply ought to be made for those who very wisely forsake the 

 crowded streets and lanes of the city and resort to the beautifuL 

 and healthful suburbs of Montreal Mountain. Why should not 

 a head of purified water be here maintained sufficient to supply 

 the whole island of Montreal ? A liberal and enlightened munir 

 cipal policy would not rest content with the present area of dis— 



