Page:Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management.djvu/2203

Rh proper and sufficient supply of water, otherwise it will be dealt with as a nuisance.

The sanitary authority may make bye-laws for securing the cleanliness and freedom from pollution of tanks, cisterns, and other receptacles for storing water used, or likely to be used, by man for drinking or domestic purposes, or for manufacturing drink for the use of man.

Closing of polluted wells or cisterns.—On the representation of any person to a sanitary authority that within their district the water in any well, tank, cistern, or water butt is used or likely to be used for the above purposes, and is, or is likely to be, so polluted as to be injurious or dangerous to health, the magistrates, on complaint by the sanitary authority, and after giving the owner or occupier of the premises to which the well, etc., belongs, an opportunity of being heard, may, by summary order, direct that the well, etc., be permanently or temporarily closed, or make such order as may be necessary.

If the person on whom the order is made fail to comply with it, he will be liable to a fine not exceeding £20, and the sanitary authority may obtain power to execute the order themselves, and recover the expenses in a summary manner from the person in default.

Regulations as to water-closets.—Every house must be provided with one or more proper and sufficient water-closets according as circumstances require, furnished with suitable water supply and water supply apparatus, and with suitable trapped soil pan and other suitable works and arrangements, so far as may be necessary to ensure the efficient working thereof. Where however, sewerage or water supply sufficient for a water-closet is not reasonably available a privy or earth closet may be substituted.

If at any time it appears to the sanitary authority that a house is without such closet, they may serve the owner or occupier with a notice requiring him to provide the same in accordance with the directions in the notice. If the notice be not complied with within the specified time, the owner or occupier will be liable to a fine of £5, and a further fine of 40s. for each day during which the offence continues; or the sanitary authority, instead of proceeding for a fine, may, if they think fit, do the necessary work and recover the expenses from the owner.

The County Council are empowered to make bye-laws with respect to closets, privies and cesspools; and so are the sanitary authority, with respect to the keeping of water-closets supplied with sufficient water for their effective action.

 Power of sanitary authority to examine water-closets, etc.—The sanitary authority may examine any closet, privy or cesspool, and any water supply, sink, trap, pipe or other apparatus connected therewith upon any premises within their district. And for that purpose or for the purpose of ascertaining the course of a drain, may, at all reasonable times of the day, after twenty-four hours' notice to the occupier (or owner, if unoccupied), or in case of emergency without notice, enter the premises and open the ground in any place they think fit.

If on examination, any such closet, trap, or pipe, etc., is found to be in accordance with requirements, and in proper order and condition, the sanitary authority are bound to make good what they have done and pay for any damage. If however, such closet, etc., is found not to have been made or provided in accordance with the law and the bye-laws of the authorities, the offender will be liable to a fine of £10; and if after notice from the sanitary authority to do what is necessary within a specified time he fails to comply with the' notice he will be liable either to a penalty of 20s. for each day during