WATER — A NATIONAL SYSTEM [To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.] SIR,—Some
statements in your article on this subject are, at least, controversial.
The idea of a National Water Grid is considerably more fanciful than a National Electricity Grid, and had you named an advocate from one of the institutions connected with water supply, his opinion would carry more conviction.
Briefly, two main plans are outlined—a national grid and a universal rural supply. To deal with the first, one cannot compare water with electricity. The electricity grid is in the nature of a balance of power between the main stations—a simple system of cable connexions. A water pipe could not be laid linking any two given towns in a similar way without the provision of a special pumping station at the lower town (possibly at both) and tunnels to overcome excessive head or maintain a hydraulic gradient. Cost would be approxi- mately £5,000 per mile for a pipe suitable for connecting towns of, say, 50,000 population; and the pumping station another £20,000. Towns of this size may average as little as 30 miles apart, making the total cost to he borne by one town about £170,000. It is intended to make use of this perhaps once in five years, while in sixty years replacement would have to be considered—or the cost per drought per town would be about £15,000. Even that assumes that water is available in sufficient quantities somewhere. Most ratepayers would prefer a little temporary inconvenience, or- temporary road and rail transport of water would be cheaper.
The second question is simpler. It has been shown recently that to provide water at a " reasonable " rate (less than 1s. per house per week) in rural areas, a uniformly scattered population of 1,700 per square mile would be necessary, or if the houses were in the best position—that is, one terrace per square mile—about one-fifth of that number. Very few districts, when the urban areas are excluded, can show popnlationS as dense as this.
Thus, your statement that the undertaking involves no financial -risk needs considerable modification. Such a system may be considered necessary and is certainly desirable, but it could not be financed by ordinary methods.—I am, Sir, &e.,
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