On supplying Cities with Water. Q3 



haustible supply from the river Clyde by means of pipe3 and 

 steam engines. Two companies' have embarked in similar 

 undertakings. One of them, under the direction of Mr. 

 Thomas Telford, civil engineer, undertakes to bring in a 

 large supply from the eastward of the town; the other, un- 

 der the direction of Mr. Robertson Buchanan, civil engi- 

 neer, to bring in a similar supply from the westward. 



Both works are in considerable forwardness, and many 

 houses are already supplied with pipes : but the circumstance 

 which demands most attention from the public, and which is 

 our principal reason for mentioning these undertakings, is the 

 filtration of the whole supply of water, by means of reservoirs 

 constructed for the purpose. This salutary process is effected 

 by making the water filter through sand and gravel from the 

 large reservoir into which it is first elevated by the steam 

 engine, into a second reservoir posited a little lower, and from 

 which the conveying-pipes receive their supply. 



This is the first instance we believe that has yet occurred 

 of water being filtered on so large a scale ; and when its ad- 

 vantages, not only to the health of the inhabitants, but to 

 bleachers, dyers, and other manufacturers, are duly consi- 

 dered, we cannot doubt that it will be adopted in all future 

 undertakings for supplying towns with water. Hitherto all 

 branches of manufacture connected with the use of water 

 have been obliged to be carried to the water, and the neces- 

 sary hands along with them, and much expense for carriage 

 and extra labour has been added to the price. But, should 

 this system become general, manufactures will be carried on 

 where the necessary supply of labourers can be most easily 

 procured, and the goods find the most ready market. 



We believe that the filtration of water intended for public 

 supply was first practised by a private individual at Paisley. 

 This public-spirited adventurer was amply remunerated for 

 his expenditure ; and we cannot doubt that similar specula- 

 tions on a larger scale, if pro-periy conducted, will yield an 

 ample return to the first subscribers. — We hope the example 

 which has thus been given will be followed by public-s irited 

 individuals in ether large towns. Its benefits would soon. 



be 



