PROPERTIES OF WATER AND SOURCES OF SUPPLY. 25 



and to witness the apathy of some farmers, especially 

 should the water from their well be abundant in 

 quantity. To them it is an excellent supply, quality 

 being a secondary consideration. 



These farmers, however, should they be dairy 

 farmers, are occasionally alarmed by the visit of the 

 sanitary officer or the medical officer of health from 

 a neighbouring town. Then, when the question of 

 a fresh-water supply is suggested, and afterwards 

 demanded, these farmers, although indifferent and 

 scornful at first, often prove loudest in their praises 

 when a new and perfectly pure water supply has 

 been obtained, thanks to the skill and energy of the 

 sanitary engineer. 



The water supply to many farms and villages is 

 from shallow wells, and it has already been explained 

 how the water in these ordinary surface wells is 

 readily polluted ; at least it is a difficult matter to 

 sink surface wells in connexion with farmhouses, or 

 the houses in many villages, without them becoming 

 polluted. It therefore becomes necessary to sink 

 wells of a greater depth, this depth depending on the 

 geological formation of the ground. 



The quality of water yielded by deep wells is 

 usually good, having some of the good qualities of 

 spring water. It is liable, however, to be hard. 



Regarding the quantity of water to be provided 

 for any country house or estate supply scheme, it is 

 of course a great advantage when the supply is con- 

 siderably more than the demand at all times ; where 

 however a desirable supply presents itself, but is at 

 the same time limited in quantity, it is desirable to 

 ascertain if the expense necessary to utilize it will 



