WATER CATCHMENT AREAS 229 
purchased the catchment area, 740 acres of moorland, 
between 936 and 1590 feet elevation, without a habitation 
of any sort upon it. Commoners’ rights were extinguished 
in respect of the land covered by the reservoir, and of 60 
acres additional alongside the reservoir, which were fenced 
in to prevent direct pollution from cattle, etc. Owing to 
large patches of soft, peaty soil, the water at times has an 
acid reaction, and is therefore liable to act on lead.” Appro- 
priate filtration neutralises the acidity; and Paignton, a 
health resort with numerous summer visitors, enjoys an 
abundant pure moorland water supply, the cost of which 
amounted to £119,000, No planting has been done on 
the catchment area; but some larch, spruce, and Scots pine 
have been planted below the reservoir, which are doing well 
in shelter. 
Falmouth Waterworks Company obtains its water supply 
from a gathering ground of 1858 acres, situated between 
200 and 600 feet elevation, about 24 miles from the 
town. It consists, with the exception of 200 acres of 
moor, of arable land and pasture, on which there are a few 
small farms and cottages. The Company has no control 
over the area, but has rights of inspection, which is 
regularly carried out by the Company and the Sanitary 
Inspector of the District. The water is filtered. There 
appear to be no plantations on the area, which might be 
afforested to preserve the purity of the water. 
St. Ives obtains its water supply in part from the New 
Bussow reservoir, with a gathering ground on Bussow Moors, 
of 360 acres, between 400 and 800 feet elevation, none of 
which is owned by the town. The area consists of 260 
acres of hill pasture and moorland and 100 acres of -arable 
land, with several habitations and farmsteads, the drainage 
from which is conducted away from the streams leading to 
the reservoir. The water is filtered. 
Penzance obtains its water supply in part from a stream 
gathering ground of 800 acres at Madron, between 300 and 
