CiiAP. in. PLUMBEKY.

691
ill the fust instance. Tiie usual yield of filtered water from a basin establisbed under
the precedmg conditions, is about 80 to 100 gallons per foot superficial per day.
222'lh. Dr. Clarke's approved process for softening water is stated to be by adding an
equ^l quantity of lime in solution to the pure lime of the bicarbonate contained in fha
water. The solution of lime combines with one-half of the carbonic acid and forms clialk,
at the same time reducing the bicarbonate to chalk also. Chalk being insolul)le, stttifs
to the bottom. The Consumers' Economic Water Softening and Purifying Company
(Limited) has been formed for tlie use of Atkins's patents, to adopt the recommendations
of the Eoyal Commission on the Pollution of Eivers ; and though several towns of small
or moderate size had carried out those recommendations by adopting one or other of tlie
systems then available, it was considered impracticable for any large town to do so. At
the Soutlmmpton Water Works, the largest works of this sort are now (1888) completed-
and many other towns are contemplating the introduction of the system.
2222i. In some places both the chemical and mechanical impurities maybe eliminated
from water by dividing the tank by a cross wall of a filteiing stone. Such a t^tone will
filter about 60 gallons per foot superficial per day. Chemically, this could be effected by
causing the water to pass through a diaphragm or cross wall, composed of two slabs of
filtering stone, placed at a small distance from one another, and filled in with animal
cliarcoal or with njagnetic oxide of iron. The latter material appears to be the best for
such water as is collected from roofs, because it parts with its oxygen with great rapidity
to the rain water, and is susceptible of rapid revivification
; it is also cheaper than char-
coal. A double wall thus formed ought to pass 100 gallons per foot superficial per day.
A few drops of permanganate of potash, put into water tasting and smelling of decaying
organic matter, will render it in a few minutes clear and sweet. A small quantity of
alum tends to render w-ater very pure, by freeing it from matters held in suspension.
Eansome's patent siliceous stone is the best material of the kind ordinarily obtainable in
Eng'ard. Filters of porous sandstone, as made at Halifax, are recommended as effective
and durable. A piaper on the subj^ct of filtration, read at tiio Institute of British
Architects, ISoO-ol, by Mr. Gr. K. Burnell, and given in the Builder, ix. 404, deserves
attention. Household filters, whether for occasional use or for a system of domestic
filtration of water as it fiows from the cistern, is now often a subject of consideration for
a tenant and landlord. Among these are Lipscombe's; Maignen's patent Filtrc Bapidc,
with his patent process for softening water by rceans of the patent Aiiti-calcaire ; the
patent Porous Carbon Company's material ;
HiUiday's patent high-pressure self-cleansing
filter, which can be attached to the main or supply pipe ; the Chamberland-Pasteur filter;
Compound charcoal filter; Atkins's patent cistern filter, a pure charcoal block filter;
the Queen, whiL-h can be fixed to any tap; the patent Moulded carbon block and
loose- charcoal thorough self-cleansing rapid water filter
;
the Grant revolving ball water
filter, also attached to the tap on a main or service pipe, and is rapid and self-cleaning
;
and others.
Cistern and Supply for daily use.
2223. The amount of water used varies very much in different communities, but where
the allowance is scanty disease of various kinds is encouraged by the absence of attention
to the cleanliness of persons and of things, the want of sufficient water to flush the
drains, &c. About 10 gallons a head per day are required for domestic purposes, includ-
ing bathing, and about as much more for flushing purposes
;
the average amount required
for trade purposes is generally roughly put down at an average of 20 to 30 gallons a head
per day. Many towns have a less supply. Where there are large public baths, or manu-
factories requiring much water, or even a large number of animals, 30 gallons or more
are required. Rjme had probably from about 170 gallons to 300 gallons per head per day,
but authorities vary. An imperial gallon per man per day appears to be the allowance
on bowd a vessel. In stables, each horse should bo provided with 16 ga'lons, four of
which is consumed with his food. Each four-wheeled carriage takes about 16 gallons.
Each two-wheeled carriaire about 9 gallons. To wash a paved court or passage, a gallon
of water may be provided for each superficial yard. The available rainfall from roofs in
England is estimated at 18 inches per annum
;
and if the source of supply be only lain-
fall, a tank capable of holding 4 months' collection should be provided. (Hurst, Surveyor-''
liandhook.) One cube foot of cistern will bold nearly
6f
gallons of water ;
and a cube foot of
water weighs 62-321 lbs.; a gallon weighs 10 lbs. ; a cylinder inch, '02842 lbs.
;
and a
cylinder foot,
49-1 lbs. ; 35 cubic feet of water equal 1 ton. The supply for each man, woman,
and child in a house is reckoned at 15 gallons per day, though it is considered no one
really uses much more than 6 gallons; or about 12 gallons, as calculated by Sir W.
Clay, by a family in London.
2223'-?. The cistern, for a house was originally placed outside, and made entirely of lead,
the front of it being frequently decorated with devices, either cast with it, or secured by
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