The Principles of Water-works Engineering The Water Supply of Towns

Abstract

WITH the constant growth of population, and the increasing tendency of the population to congregate into large towns, the provision of an ample supply of pure water to towns becomes every year of greater importance; whilst, as the nearer sources of supply become inadequate for the ever-growing demands, a sufficient supply becomes more difficult to obtain, and has to be sought at considerable distances. Accordingly, the subject of water-supply has assumed an enhanced importance within recent years; and till these books appeared, there was a dearth of comprehensive textbooks on this branch of engineering. As the sources of water-supply, and the works for its provision and distribution are comprised within very definite limits, both books necessarily traverse much the same ground, and deal with similar classes of works; but, nevertheless, they exhibit differences in arrangement, and in the method of treating the various subjects. Thus, whereas “Water-works Engineering” extends over 420 pages, separated into only eight chapters, and illustrated by one hundred and twenty figures in the text, “The Water Supply of Towns” is subdivided into twenty-two chapters, occupying only 272 pages, somewhat larger in size, but illustrated by two hundred and fifty-seven drawings, several of which are put into forty-three large folding-plates. The first book, moreover, is subdivided into numbered sections, the numbers of which are merely used for reference, and instead of the pages in the index; whilst the various subjects in the second book are clearly indicated by black-letter headings. Altogether, “The Water Supply of Towns” is much better arranged for reference; and though containing slightly less matter, it is much more fully illustrated, is in larger print, and has a somewhat longer index than “Water-works Engineering.” Neither book gives a summary of contents at the head of each chapter, which is often serviceable for reference.

The Principles of Water-works Engineering.

By J. H. Tudsbery Turner A. W. Brightmore. (London: Spon, 1893.)

The Water Supply of Towns.

By W. K. Burton. (London: Crosby Lockwood and Son, 1894.)