308 SECTIONAL TRANSACTIONS.—C. 
Monday, September 10. 
Discussion on Underground water supply (10.0) :— 
Prof. W. S. Boutton.—Introduction. 
(Ordered by the General Committee to be printed in extenso. See p. 456.) 
Prof. P. G. H. Boswe.u, O.B.E., F.R.S. 
The speaker desires to emphasise, as Prof. Boulton has done, the fre- 
quently urged necessity for a national survey of water resources, including 
the systematic recording of underground water-levels and flow from springs. 
The need for a survey and proper recording of both underground and 
overground supplies has been repeatedly recommended; it was so as 
recently as last year by the Inland Water Survey Committee of the British 
Association (a joint committee of Sections A, E, and G) and was the raison 
d’étre of a deputation from the Association and the Institution of Civil 
Engineers to the Ministry of Health in July of this year (v. the Committee’s 
Report). In order that such a survey of possible underground resources 
may be rendered effective, it is imperative that there should be compulsory 
registration of all wells and boreholes of more than too ft. in depth, just as 
similar shafts and borings in connection with mining operations are regis- 
tered under the Mining Industry Act. The only addition to the data 
which Prof. Boulton regards as essential for the proper understanding of 
the problem, that occurs to the speaker, is the recording of the depression 
of water-level in each borehole in various rock-formations in relation to 
the varying amounts of water pumped. Among the many practical ques- 
tions on which the survey would throw light are the serious and persistent 
fall of underground water-level and (to take a topical example) the considera- 
tion of the most effective and least expensive methods of dealing with local 
shortage of supplies resulting from drought conditions. 
The investigation of underground water is not concerned only with its 
recovery for domestic and industrial consumption (a steadily increasing 
demand). As is well known, it is necessary for the effective disposal, as a 
temporary or a permanent measure, of undesirable supplies, and for the 
safe and economic prosecution of large-scale engineering undertakings. 
Sir A. E. Kitson, C.M.G., C.B.E. 
Before the Conference of Corresponding Societies the speaker urged that 
compulsory registration with the Government should be made of all boring 
and. well-sinking operations below too ft., as is the law at present in 
relation to similar operations for minerals. The tabulation of informa- 
tion respecting the nature of the strata passed through during boring and 
well-sinking is highly desirable, but it is not legally compulsory. These 
operations for water afford excellent opportunities of obtaining valuable 
information, and full advantage should be taken of such opportunities. 
Although the people operating the plants are not geologists, they can 
give information of value, leaving the geologists to furnish the details of the 
strata. The Geological Survey of Great Britain can supplement such 
information, but only if they are notified of the operations. ‘There are, 
besides, numbers of amateur as well as professional geologists dispersed- 
through the country, who may be depended upon to assist in such work. 
Further, the members of Corresponding Societies can also give assistance 
by notifying the Geological Survey of such operations in their districts. 
