304 TRINIDAD. 



The soil in the town and at the base of the hill is strongly 

 impregnated with bitumen, which oozes out in several places, 

 and forms between St. James and San Fernando streets a small 

 pool ; the bituminous nature of the substratum prevents the 

 sinking of wells, since the water becomes so strongly impreg- 

 nated with bitumen as to be unfit for use. Lately wells have 

 been sunk at the base of the hill, and an adit carried some 

 distance, with the object of procuring water for the use of the 

 inhabitants ; thirty-seven public fountains or dippers have been 

 established, at which the people can get water. The supply is 

 intermittent : main pipe, six inches ; thirty-four hydrants ; four- 

 teen stop-cocks. The total quantity thus supplied may be 

 calculated at 18,000 gallons per day. The wells are made to 

 communicate; the water is pumped up by machinery and sent to 

 a reservoir, from which it is conducted to the fountains. When 

 pumped up from the wells, this water has a marked smell and a 

 faint taste of bitumen, which, however, disappears when it has 

 been kept for some time in the reservoir. The water flowing 

 from the adit has a similar taste and smell, and that of sulphur 

 besides, which is found deposited in a very thin layer. The 

 water has been analysed, and found to contain a large proportion 

 of bitumen, also of sulphur, it being thereby rendered more or 

 less unfit for drinking and domestic purposes. It should be for- 

 bidden, by all means, to denude the hill and establish cultiva- 

 tion on its flanks. This is a subject fully worth the attention of 

 the Borough Council. 



This question of supplying San Fernando with water is one 

 of great importance, also beset with difficulties, and which is not 

 solved yet. For it is evident that the present supply is not only 

 inadequate, but is of very bad quality — in fact, unfit for ordinary 

 domestic purposes. But wherefrom to get the required supply ? 

 From Montserrat? The distance (twelve miles), and serious 

 difficulties to be surmounted, and the consequent large outlay, 

 without a corresponding return, are, in my opinion, an insuperable 

 obstacle. From Pointe-a -Pierre? It would then become necessary 

 to construct collecting reservoirs, and to make use of machines 

 for forcing the water up to the town. 



But there are at several places round the San Fernando hill 

 wells with springs, and gullies which might be dammed and 

 turned into reservoirs. " It has been supposed," says Mr. Wall, 



