WATEE CATCHMENT AEEAS 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 2^ 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 



