in 1895. During the course of a further series of commissions, set against the backdrop of continuing supply problems, the county councils of Middlesex, Essex, Kent and Surrey indicated they would not accept any scheme which allowed the London County Council authority over their areas in respect of water supply. It was therefore decided that the Metropolitan Water Bill would create an entirely new body to supply water to the greater London area. Formation The board was created by the provisions of The Metropolis Water Act 1902. The board, which first met on 2 April 1903, had 67 members; 65 of these were nominated by local authorities, who appointed a paid chairman and vice-chairman. The nominating bodies were: In the County of London: 14 members nominated by the London County Council, 2 members by the City of London, 2 by the City of Westminster and 1 member by each of the remaining 27 metropolitan boroughs. In Essex: 1 member nominated by Essex County Council, 1 member by West Ham County Borough and 4 members nominated by 9 urban district councils. In Kent: 1 member nominated by Kent County Council, and 1 member jointly nominated by 8 urban district councils. In Middlesex: 1 member nominated by Middlesex County Council, and 6 members nominated by the borough of Ealing and 17 urban district councils. In Surrey: 1 member nominated by the Surrey County Council, and one nominated jointly by the Borough of Richmond and 7 urban district councils. In Hertfordshire: 1 member nominated by Hertfordshire County Council. 1 member of the Conservators of the River Thames. 1 member of the Lee Conservancy Board. The first Metropolitan Water Board retired on 1 June 1907, with a new board being nominated every three years thereafter. As local government changes took place, the nominating bodies changed. Companies acquired The board compulsorily acquired the eight major London water companies: The New River Company The East London Waterworks Company The Southwark and Vauxhall Waterworks Company The West Middlesex Waterworks Company The Lambeth Waterworks Company The Chelsea Waterworks Company The Grand Junction Waterworks Company The Kent Waterworks Company Also acquired were the water undertakings of Tottenham and Enfield Urban District Councils, and the Staines Reservoirs Joint Committee. Starting in October 1903 a series of arbitration hearings was convened to determine the amount of compensation payable to the water companies. The eventual amount paid to the shareholders of the