68 The Filtration Works for the Improvement of the 



million gallons of water, or one-fifth of a penny for i,ooo 

 gallons of water, not certainly a very high rate. But now let 

 me ask, is it worth while spending such a sum on the filtration 

 of the city water supply ? Will the process do any substantial 

 good ? First, then, let me point out that some of the gentle- 

 men consulted in the matter have given their opinion that 

 filtration would improve the appearance and quality of the 

 water. Others again expressed their belief that filtration is 

 necessary to render the water wholesome. In carrying out the 

 system of works just described, the Commissioners have on 

 their side all these chemical gentlemen whose attention has 

 been called to the character of the water supply, But, again, 

 the water will be clear and sparkling, and as such will be more 

 attractive looking to the consumer than when tinged with 

 colour. The public will, I think, in the future use more water 

 both internally and externally, and this will, I think, be 

 generally regarded as a most desirable state of things. Whether, 

 however, the removal of a portion of the organic matter in the 

 water, and the reduction in the number of micro-organisms, if 

 any, in the water, will render the water safer, is a matter upon 

 which I am unable to express a dogmatic opinion, though I 

 must admit that nearly all scientific authority goes in favour of 

 filtration. No one can draw the line and say when the quantity 

 of organic matter in water becomes dangerous, but I think we 

 can all admit that the freer the water is from organic impurities 

 the more satisfactory it is in every way. Further, in time of 

 epidemic the public will have all the more confidence in a 

 public supply of water carefully filtered, and everything that 

 gives real grounds of confidence at such times must be regarded 

 as well worth having. 



There is the further observation to be made in the present 

 case, that the large outlay on the filtration works does not 

 involve any increase in taxation. I think, therefore, the new 

 works will be of great advantage to the public in Belfast. The 

 water will be brighter and more wholesome ; its use will be 

 largely increased both for domestic and special trade purposes. 



