The Mourne Water Scheme. 27 



organic, and therefore of dangerous pollution, I have found the 

 following amounts expressed in parts per million : — 



1885-86. 1892. 1893. 

 Free ammonia ... ... "oo '02 -005 



Albumenoid ammonia ... '15 "20 '21 



These figures become more eloquent when I tell you that a 

 very high authority on water analysis says — ' Free ammonia 

 being absent or very small, a water should not be condemned 

 unless the albumenoid ammonia reaches something like 'lo 

 parts per million. Albumenoid ammonia above "lo begins to 

 be a very suspicious sign, and over •15 it ought to condemn a 

 water absolutely.' Belfast is badly in want of a new water 

 supply, and I rejoice that the Commissioners have decided to 

 push on the Mourne scheme with all haste. The ratepayers 

 ought not to object to an additional tax for the purpose, and I 

 am convinced that they would not do so if they knew how bad 

 the present supply is and what serious risks they run by its 

 consumption. As to the excellence of the Mourne water there 

 can be no question, as I have proved by my own analysis. I 

 am indebted to Mr. Thompson, of Glassdrummond, for collect- 

 ing the sample of Kilkeel River water, of which I append the 

 following analysis: — Kilkeel River water, 1893 ; the sample 

 was clear, colourless, and with no sediment. Total solids, 6*4 

 grains per gallon. Hardness, temporary, o ; permanent, i ; 

 total, I. Chlorine, 0'8 grains per gallon; ammonia, free, -co ; 

 albumenoid, •06, It is in fact a water of great organic purity, 

 collected from an area where, I believe, there is no chance of 

 dangerous pollution, and in every way fitted for the wants of a 

 large town like Belfast. Not only is it a splendid drinking 

 water, but owing to its remarkable softness it is pre-eminently 

 suitable for industrial purposes, such as washing and scouring 

 linen and for supplying steam boilers. In connection with the 

 subject of hardness, I have made a calculation which may 

 interest the audience this evening. If we suppose that each 

 individual of the 273,000 inhabitants of Belfast uses one gallon 

 of water daily for washing purposes, then taking the hardness 



