History of the Huddersfield Water Supplies
By T. W. Woodhead

CHAPTER VIII - TREATMENT OF WATER

CHLORINATION

Figure 48, below, shows the chlorinator in use at the Deerhill Filter Station. Chlorine is discharged from two cylinders where it is stored, under approximately one hundred pounds pressure ; into the vacuum chamber of the chlorinator. Here it is measured by an orifice meter (in pounds per twenty-four hours) and is then drawn into an injector where it mixes with water. The resulting solution is piped, usually through a heavy rubber hose, to the point of application.

Figure 48. Self-Recording Chlorinator

As a precautionary measure four additional chlorinators were installed in 1938 and all waters are now treated with chlorine after filtration. Also a portable chlorinator has been provided for cases of emergency and Air Raid Precautions.

The effect of chlorine on organisms in water has been the subject of considerable controversy. As pointed out by C.P. Hoover (12) “It was originally believed that the nascent oxygen produced by the reaction of chlorine with water accomplished the destruction of bacteria. It may be true that some of the organisms are destroyed in this manner. It is known, however, that potassium permanganate, which is a more powerful oxidizing agent than chlorine, is less effective as a germicide. It is also known that when chlorine and ammonia are combined to form chloramine, the resulting compound has little if any oxidizing power, but still is very effective as a disinfectant. Hence a further reason than oxidation must be looked for to explain the disinfecting power of chlorine. A plausible explanation is the theory that chlorine unites, at least in part, with the cell structure of the organism to form chloro-products that act as toxic poisons to these organisms. In fact the bodies of some bacteria completely disappear as a result of chlorination – probably converted into soluble compounds.”

While it is the responsibility of the Waterworks Authority to deliver a pure supply of water to the mains, it is the duty of the householder or owner to prevent pollution from the mains to the house. Complaints are frequently made of an impure supply from the house tap, but on inspection this was often found to be due to defective pipes, fittings or cisterns in the house, for which the owner was responsible.

A noteworthy case was that of Mr. J.J. Milnes, Grove Place, Dalton, who in 1882 was seriously affected by lead poisoning, due to the soft water acting on lead pipes connecting the mains to the house. An action was brought against the Corporation, but after prolonged litigation, it was decided that where the water supplied to the consumer was pure and wholesome but afterwards contaminated by the consumer’s pipes owing to the plumbo-solvency of the water, there was no cause of action and this decision was upheld by a majority of the House of Lords. If, however, the water in the mains were polluted, this would be a non-compliance with the statutory duties imposed by Section 35 of the Waterworks Clauses Act of 1847, and there is an absolute duty to keep pure and wholesome water in the mains. This danger from soft water is now counteracted by lime treatment at the Filter Stations.

In recent years complaints have occasionally been made of the presence of lead in water drawn from house taps, but this has been shown to be due to the lead service pipes. It is then recommended to replace these pipes with cast iron service pipes, but his Corporation have no power to compel owners to carry out this conversation.

While it is the aim and duty of the Waterworks Authority to provide a wholesome, safe, and copious supply of water to the public, on the other hand it is the duty of the consumer to avoid undue waste and to use every endeavour to prevent pollution.

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