Page 300 - Reading Mercury

Wokingham wells must from the many years of saturation with sewage matter be in a
very dangerous condition; and that if every precaution were taken in future to prevent
further pollution by removing all foul liquids by a thoroughly good sewerage system,
and establishing a proper system of privies and ashpits from which extraneous liquid
was carefully excluded, it would probably be a very long time before the water in
many parts of the wells would be sufficiently pure to be used for domestic purposes.
At the same time I see no reason why if such precautions were taken the well water
should not, in the course of time, afford a wholesome supply. Sewer authorities have
no power at present to close the private wells, however impure water may be. The
case of Wokingham shows very strongly the necessity for granting such powers. In
the absence of such powers it is clearly the duty of the Wokingham Sewer Authority
to test the well water in use from time to time, and to exert their moral influence for
the purpose of closing every well which yields impure water. This will probably lead
to the closing of many wells, and some immediate provision will requisite for the
supply of water to those persons who are thus deprived of the water they now use.
I would suggest that the sewer authority should carefully select spots of ground as
far removed as possible from sources of pollution, and then put down Morton’s
Abyssinian screw pumps for public use keeping at the same time an anxious eye on
the purity of the water thus obtained.
Should they fail to procure in this manner water of sufficient purity there seems to
be no alternative but to establish Waterworks and bring from a distance a good supply
for the use of the town. Many of the inhabitants seem to think that Wokingham is one
of the healthiest towns in the kingdom but it appears from Mr. Barford’s evidence that
the rate of mortality from August 1869 to August 1870 was 29 per 1,000 and in the
same period 1870/71 it was 25 per 1,000. This is extremely high for a small town
situated as Wokingham is. It is Mr. Barford’s opinion, which I believe is correct, that
but for the impure water used in the town Wokingham would be one of the healthiest
towns in the kingdom, and the sewer authority should never rest till they brought it to
this condition.
I recommend that an order be made on the Sewer Authority of the special drainage
district comprising the town and part of the parish of Wokingham requiring them to
commence a system of main sewerage within one month of the date of the order and
to take immediate steps for having the condition of the ashpits and privies improved.
Further that they commence the works necessary for affording the inhabitants of their
districts a supply of wholesome water within one month of date of order. I
recommend that the Sewer Authority be urged to exercise their utmost influence to
prevent the use of impure water throughout the town.

I remain, Sir
Your obedient Servant
(Signed) JOHN THORNHILL HARRISON

th
Sat 6 July
ALARMING FIRE
On the night of Monday last, one of the most serious conflagrations witnessed for
many years in this neighbourhood, broke out in the extensive timber yard and saw
mills of Mr. Thomas M. Wescott, in Peach-street, in this town, which in a few hours
entirely destroyed the mills with the costly machinery therein, and the large and
valuable stock of timber and building materials stored in the sheds and piles around.

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