PRESIDENCY DIVISION, ADEN, AND BOMBAY MARINE.
15
4. There are four sources of water-supply: rain water as collected in tanks, wells, Shai
k Othman aqueduct, and condensed water. Tanks for collecting
rain water have existed in Aden from a very early date. About
50 of such tanks are said to exist, which, if entirely cleared out, would have an aggregate
capacity of nearly 30 millions imperial gallons (vide Captain Hunter's Handbook). Within
the last few years some of these reservoirs have been restored, and are capable of holding
8 millions gallons of water. The uncertainty of obtaining a permanent water-supply from
this source will be evident from the fact that towards the latter half of this year the tanks
have been perfectly empty, and consequently only condensed water was used for drinking
purposes. There are two wells from which supplies are drawn alternately for the troops.
These waters are more or less brackish; when the water is drawn after a few days' rest, it
is pleasant to the taste, but as the supply gets exhausted the water becomes highly brackish.
An analysis by Drs. Simpson and Nolan of them is herewith appended. after being reduced
into grains per gallon:—
Well No. 21.
Well No. 31.
Total solids at 280°F.
299·31 grs. per gallon
181·4 grs.
Chlorine
5·0 do.
8· 0 ”
Sulphuric acid
4·67 do.
4· 67 ”
Lime
10·15 do.
25 . 67 ”
Magnesia
43·0 do.
47·6 ”
Hardness according to Clarke's Scale.
Before boiling
30·0 grs.
21·30 ”
After boiling
11·55 ”
6·70 ”
Ammonia, free
Inappreciable
Inappreciable.
Do. albumenoid
·084 grs. per gallon
0·0865 grs.
Total oxygen required at 140°i
n presence of acid
·0448 do.
0·378 ”
Colour
None
None.
Odour
Sulphurous
Slightly sulphurous.
Taste
Brackish
Brackish.
Re-action
Slightly acid.
Acid.
There are two sweet-water wells in Shaik William from whence this water is drawn and
conveyed for the distance of 7 miles by means of a rudely-built aqueduct over the sandy
strip of land which connects the mainland to Aden. The water, when first drawn, is not at
all brackish to the taste, but it becomes highly charged with chlorides and other impurities
as it passes along the rude masonry of which the aqueduct entirely consists. The analysis
of water as it is issued to troops is as follows (by Drs. Simpson and Nolan):—
Total solids at 280° F.
181·4 grs. per gallon.
Chlorine
4·0 do.
Sulphuric acid
3·11
do.
Lime
5·08 do.
Magnesia
40·8 do.
H a r d n e s s b e f o r e b o i l i n g
21°·3 do.
Do. after boiling
7°·7 do.
Ammonia, free
Inappreciable.
Do. albumenoid
Not examined.
Oxygen at 140° in the presence of acid
0·308
Colour
Nil.
Odour
Nil.
Taste
Brackish.
Re-action
Neutral.
There are three condensers: one at Aden, one at Isthmus, and one at Steamer Point. The
condensed water on leaving the refrigerator is passed through a filter consisting of a layer
of carbonate of iron; and after filtration the water is collected in wooden casks which
are placed along the sea-beach, and being exposed is quite liable to contamination with sea
water and other impurities. The water has a heavy and a strong taste of iron; when it has
been allowed to stand a few days, a red sediment of oxide of iron is formed. I understand
that formerly charcoal and sand were used in the filter, but a few years ago they were
replaced with carbonate of iron, which is changed every week, when the old carbonate is put
out to dry for subsequent use. The introduction of this system does not appear to be more
Water.