The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1847-02-16 00:00:00

it was t

THE WATER INQUIRY

On Wednesday, the official inquiry into the bill for
which the Corporation arc at present applying to Parlia-
ment was commenced at the sessions' Court, Chapel-st.,
before John Maurice Herbert, Esq., barrister-at-law, and
Thomas Page, Esq., civil engineer.
The TowN-CLERK appeared in support of_ the bill.
" _

RELY, on behalf of the Liverpool and
Harrington Company, and Mr. Holt, on behalf of the
Bootle Company, appeared to watch the proceedings, but
led the Court distinctly to understand that they did not

Mr. STANIS

attend in the character of opponents.
A host of attorneys, from Manchester,

n, Chor-
of claim-

which the mills and factories, the properties of their re-
spective clients, would be rendered valueless if the Cor-
poration scheme were allowed to succeed.

•
The TowN-CLERK opened his case in an excellent ex-
planatory address of an hour and a half's duration. He
commenced by showing the astonishing increase in the
borough and out townships which has taken place within
the last eight years, and by stating that the powers of the
High Way Board had recently been transferred to the Cor-
poration, and that the corporation were, since the first of
January last, the surveyors of highways, and the sole con-
trollors of the paving, sewerage, and cleansing of the
whole borough. They also had ie control of the water
works erected by the Highway Board at Green-lane, and

which were capable of affording 800 gallons per minute ;
and believing that the existing water companies had not
sufficient capabilities adequately to supply the wants of
the town at present, they were now seeking for powers to
purchase the rights and interests of those companies, and
to supply an abundance of pure water from the vicinity of
Rivington Pike. lie stated that the water which was now
supplied by the companies was not adapted for detergent
purposes, and that the water from the Pike, after being
analysed by Dr. Lyon Playfair, was found to be of a soft
and excellent quality. He read a report from Mr. Hawkesley
to show that the water at the Pike was most abundant fur
the town, though it might become considerably more
populous than it was at present, and contain 800,000 in-
habitants, and he stated that the intention of the Corpo-
ration was, to supply twenty gallons per diem for every in-
habitant. It was proposed by the Corporation Bill to
take powers to borrow the sum of £480,000, in addition
to any sum necessary to purchase the works of the exist-
ing companies. The water was to be on the constant
supply system, and any revenue derivable from the sale
was to go in reduction of the rates. The lands clauses
consolidation act was embodied in the present measure ;
and by that embodiment all those whose properties might
be injured by a diversion of water from the Pike would be
entitled to compensation, after the Lords of the Admiralty
should have instituted an inquiry of which they had already
given notice.

The following is Mr. Hawkesley's report
"The district from which the water is now

proposed to be

derived comprises the extensive tract of mountainous country
extending from the River Roddlesworth, in the parish of
Blackburn, to the River Douglas, in the township of Horwich,
and including a total water shed of 10,400 acres, upon and from
which the foilowing principal streams arise and issue, viz.
Ist. The River Roddiesworth; 2nd. The Rake Brook; 3rd.
The lleapy Brook ; 4th. The Black Brook ; sth. The Fill
Brook 6th. The River Yarrow; 7th. The Rivington Brook ;
Bth. The River Douglas.

"The water yielded by these rivers and brooks it is intended
to collect into two capacious reservoirs, proposed to he con-
structed in valleys affording remarkable natural facilities for
the purpose, and thence to convey the same, by means of a
large cast-iron main pipe or aqueduct, to the existing reservoir
of the Corporation situated at Kensington, near Liverpool.

" The Waters of the River Roddlea-ortliand Rake Brook are
proposed to be raised by means of embankments to a sufficient

elevation to enable them to be carried, by means of an artificial
goit, across the intervening country to the head of the higher

reservoir, at or near a place called Siddow Fold. This canal is
four miles long, and passing (with little exception) almost level
with the surface of the ground, receives the entire of the copi-
ous springs and streams intersected by its course.
" The higher reservoir extends from Siddow Fold to a place
called Leicester Mill, and is one and a half mile long, from 100
yards to upwards of 700 yards wide, and covers a surface of 185
acres. Its depth at the lower extremity, where it receives the
entire volume of the River Yarrow, is 32 feet, and its total
capacity about 169 million feet.
" The lower reservoir commences about 100 yards below the
higher, and terminates near Anderton Fold, in the township of
Anderton, and is two miles long, and from 120 to 550 yards
wide. The area is 268 acres, the greatest depth about 50 feet,
and the total capacity 297 million feet. -

" This reservoir will receive the River Douglas, the Riving-
ton Brook, and other streams, and the outflow when and as
required of the higher reservoir already mentioned, and will

:er beds proposed to be Con-

_ .....,... ... inuposea water shades to be somewhere
between seventeen and twenty square miles. I believe that
Mr. Hawkesley calculates it at rather less than twenty miles.
He says eighteen. The water, owing to the elevated situation
of the district, falls _very rapidly into the principal streams
mentioned before. I.consider that more rain falls,in -this dis-
trict than in the neighbourhood of Bolton. Taking the district
pressure on the filter beds and mains, and will thence bt proposed to be drained into consideration, the water shades ran
both north and west, as far as the rivers are concerned ; and,
passed directly into the pipe? by which it is to be conveyed
without further exposure to Liverpool. I
indeed, 'with regard to the Doug7as, I should say south also. A
•
" I have also the satisfaction to observe, as respects the re- -great proportion of the water from the valves will-flow into the
r
tentiveness of the valley, that Professor Ansted, the eminent reservoir of the water shades. Looking at the position of the
geologist, has examined the sites of the reservoirs, and concurs reservoirs on the plan, I should say that at no point will ,tile...
with me in pronouncing
.them perfectly capable of retaining water have to flow a .greater distance than three miles beie.`,,
coming to the reservoir. That was after it had once fornien,.
" The main pipe it is designedtdh
et to ba
maximum
i 14n-tuinnicdheelis ,v
delivering
g velocity
power
the water proposed to be impounded upon them. .
to make of sufficient magni- tself in the conduits. lam of opinion that a large quantity of
water will be collected in the reservoirs because of the natural
features of the surface of the country, and the way in which
agtie,,,,,dr.
auts-eotrru,al di
aan1,1,,,,t0i flow. i
nrieyteihraeaVntecteehXeatyM.
are
ehecedixr
exceedingly
eheedicnogilidy capabilities totfi
for con-
" fcot
favourable.hne
3t ufdeeet. 6 Theinchielisatpneertesrecios
20 million gallons per diem, or '25 per cent. iu excess of the
nrdr,oaPr?ds e
quantity likely to be required. .
therotaicili(i'n'
q " This pipe will pass through Hindley, Ashton, St. Helens,
and Pres Cot, and will terminate in a stand pipe at Kensington, There would be no difficulty in impounding water In the reser-
i which the water will be allowed to ascend for the supply of voirs,._and also in retaining it, if ordinary precaution were to
in w f I
the higher levels of the town. be used for that purpose ; for the district and the countrV is
.
" The Kensington reservoir is proposed to be 'enlarged. In uncommonly favourable for doing se. The plan Suggestedfor
the event of the Corporation uniting the existing works with obtaining and retaining the supply of wat r seems to me to be
the works now describing, some alterations of a convenient very well adapted for the purpose, as every advantage has been
and economical character? consequent on the adaptation of taken of the natural condition of the country to make it effec-
parts of the present establishments, may probably be effected. t-

AV/ me recommendations Of Govern-
ment, for the purpose of effectually detaining any matter casu-
ally suspended in the water.

" These filter beds expose a surface of five acres, and will be
found of ample magnitude for their intended purpose.
" From the filters the water will be admitted into an equali-
zing tank, for the_ purpose of maintaining an anthlctuating

,ual. 1 agree with Mr. Hawkesleywicen—fie stated that the
mineral 'products would be very useful in the 'construction of
the new works. I believe there is an excellent supply of sand
there, which is well adapted for filtering purposes. Judging
estimatestchoeuld be
fromt
hre I believe that
niumclat.dmtehoFsbN.Ny-pi water obtained .001fbi
Liverpool; and
than what
would be required for
that, from the absence of iron and from the absence of the salts
of lime and magnesia in the rocks, the water would be excel- i
and I thinU
lent. It would be in the condition of pure rain water—pure soft
water. ..

the above-mentioned works, Ltd in providing or affording
compensation to parties injuriously affected by the abstraction
of water for the purposes of the undertaking, I have estimated
at the sum of .€450,000 ; but Tam not without hope and antici-
pation that the objects of the Corporation may be effected for
a considerably smaller amount.

of Liverpool it may now be desirable to state, in general terms,
as frfillnvra

10,400 acres of mountainous water shed
will yield daily, at a very moderate } 233 million
gallons
computation
And that the quantity required for the
supply of 800,000 persons with 20 gal-
lons ner head per diem, will amount

Cross-examineu oy mr. WATKINS.—There is no possibility
of there being any coal mines under the position of the Angie)"
ark reservoir,. but there may be beds of coal under the pro-
posed one at Rivington. I have no doubt of the fact from the
general features of the country. lam sure that the propoged
reservoirs would not be capable of impounding all the water e
te strict ! hnf T

16 million

gallons

To Mr. Hi

iuuiu say tney wciul
—I am sure that the

trfoar-tifths of it,
t proportion of the

The surplus applicable
is, therefore, at least

is poor taint. it consists of n very thin cui
verb); of vegetable soil, with a very small portion of peat, bu
principally of heather.

" It may also be observed, that many very considerable
;reams available for future possible, though not very proba-

Mr. MoorNs.—Approaching to peat?
Professor ANsTEn.—I do not understand what you mean bC
epproachiog .tt,--pcat,---I -know that there is a great-pandit)" °
decompbsed vegetable matter,—indted, scarcely any of it. To Mr. Row LANDSON.—At both the reservoirs the depth of the
o
strata is variable. All rocks that I know of are
more or le fissured in consequence of the organic disruptions which e
from time to time occurred. Coal measures do not show lls.
sures as rocks do. In the mill stone grit of this district there
are many fissures. These fissures run principally from noel',
to south, and in many places transversely, from east to west'
but with reference to the escarpment the inclination 01"„
chiefly to the westward.
d 11.)ectiv Mr.
eoPsnAs RT. —A
or tnreieda notlel
eaivinvea awarei
3:she. aotulenahtsartyv d west is not the
of them, but I don't just now remembersethene a gdiitc(tlionin
most of the main faults in this country,—but, nevertheless,
am of opinion that they generally run as I have stated. I
aware that the district of Itivington is intersected by faults—
one main fault in particular.
Mr. PART.--Will any portion of the area, proposed to be
pounded under the provisions of this bill, be intersected by to;
main fault you , speak of ? No ; so far as lam able to forma
Opinion, no portion will be intersected ; the reservoir will lit
rather to the east of that line of fault.—Do I understand y 0110(
say that the reservoir will be oni or very_ close to,_ that finel
fault? Yes, it will be near to that line of fault ; but somelae
elevated above it.—Are you not aware that, being upon that
of fault, the. Water will be very liable to run into the fissu
which are to be found in that district 7 Not necessarily
cause it will be much more elevated.—Then the fault you srite
of is a mere dislocation of the millstone grit ? Yes ; both Ito
have fallen down. —Are you not aware that, in all the o'is
faults, particularly connected .with the coal strata, there 2,0,
great Space between the stratification and the dislacm!vio.
which is thrown upwards and outwards 7 That is the. cat.,
the coal beds, but not in the millstone grit, which is cit!su_!„.o
ctoe,?saYl
Mn I to understand from you that no portion of the Rivisnnof
reservoir will be on the line of fault where these fraCture, 0:0t
pbrikepenarpelli
datea
PACK.—What quantity of drainage have you calct
thhaavieithiestuscietenthsencyasPrtion of it ; but I Aril
in the district?—About 60 inches, or near to it. . di's"
Are you acquainted with
trict in England, and the quantity of rain which falls as
as o
NI with that which goes to the reservoir 7—l an °`
the proportions in any otheicir
par
Assuming that there is calculation of the kind, _
quainted with any such calculation.
k. _ A. ve:
think that 36 inches would find its way to the reservoir? _ 001
I believe that the fall on the hills near Bolton is inereley ;
50 inches. I have seen no returns from the district of Cy; for
but I have seen the rain guagere taking observations iv tai

urnum-ben; salt Wu. we
water s ed now proposed to be appropriated may, at compara-
tively little cost, be hereafter greatly extended.
" With regard to the revenue which may be fairly antici-
pated, 1 am enabled to estimate the gross annual income at

the sum of £75,926.

" The annual expenditure in respect of conducting, main-
taining, and managing the undertaking, including the cost of
filtering the water, may be,expected to amount to £21,004,
which sum comprises allowances for wear and tear, and de-
predation, together with interest at the rate of five per cent.
on the capital to be raised under the powers of the act."
The following is the result of Professor Playfair's ana-
lysis :

" I have, from the preceding data, not the slightest hesitation
in Fiving my unqualified approbation to the waters you intend
to introduce. The peculiar softness of the water is most, hu.
portant to a town like Liverpool. Organic matter is never to
be desired hi watei. but in the present case it is present in Very

small proportions, so small as to be wholly innocuous. I_ nave
not hesitatedin recommending water containing peaty atter
sufficient to colour it, (which, in the waters riow under consi-
deration, IS not the case,) and I have never had reason to re-
gret doing so, its the purification has gone on with great ra-
pidity."
He adds, after giving an .inlvs

.s of the water supplied

'by the Liverpool companies,—
"A comparison with these results will show that these waters
are from eight to nine times harder than those with which you
intend to supply the town."
During the time the Town-Clerk was making his state-
ment, a number of attorneys from Manchester and -the
neighbourhood came into court, and, at the close of the
opening address, handed in their names, the names
of the persons for whom they appeared. A long and de-
sultory conversation then took place, touching the rights
of those who were likely to be injured by the impounding
of- the water, and the compensation to be afforded them.
At length it was decided not to go further that day than
to prove the deficiency of the present supply, it being ex-
pected that the gentlemen representing interested parties
would be able to furnish the court, on Friday, with a
statement of the injury they were likely to receive by the

proposed scheme.
Mr: Thomas Morris, the Mayor of Wigan saidAlte
River Douglas was the source whence the inhabitaitWof
Wigan received their water for the cotton inanufactoriea,