292 
As a rule Water Companies are against improvements. One 
patentee of an improved system of softening water on a large 
scale, in fowarding his pamphlet, writes as follows :— 
“T am never very hopeful of an old established company taking 
“it up, they say we should not be allowed to charge the public 
‘any more than now, and we will insist that our water is good 
“and sufficient as itis.” It appears, therefore, that any movement 
must take place from the outside, and those interested in the 
provision of the supply are not at all likely to stir in the matter. 
The Royal Commissioners in their Report, in the year 1874, 
upon the Domestic Water Supply of Great Britain, said as under:— 
«Hard water not only acts injuriously when used for washing 
“(10 gallons of water, the hardness of Thames water, causing the 
“waste of nearly } lb. of soap), but when it is employed for the 
“generation of steam it forms troublesome and dangerous in- 
“‘crustations in the boiler. A constant supply of hot water has 
“become almost a necessity in every household, but great 
“ difficulties are thrown in the way of its attainment by the 
“supply of hard water to towns, owing to the formation of 
“thick calcareous crusts in the heating apparatus. Waters which 
“have much temporary hardness are most objectionable in this 
«respect, and the evil is so great, where the heating is effected in 
“a, cuil of pipe, as practically to prevent, in London for instance, 
“the use of this most convenient mode of heating water.” 
London, unfortunately, does not stand alone in this respect, 
and notwithstanding the report of the Commission, it seems to 
have had little effect in improving matters up to the present time 
There are several systems now before the public, the chief of 
which are those of Atkins, Porter Clark, Maignen, and others. 
Atkins’ plan is used at Henley, that of Porter Clark is not yet in 
use at any large town but largely adopted by railway companies 
at home and abroad, and at various breweries and mills. The 
London ‘and North Western Railway prepare 1,000,000 gallons 
daily at four of their stations. 
OE EE 
