AUCKLAND WATER SUPPLY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 9, 10 January 1918, Page 2

AUCKLAND WATER SUPPLY.

EFFECTS OF DRY SPELL. Asked if the dry weather had seriously affected the city water supply, Mr. J. H. Gunson (Mayor) said this morning that the want of rain had lpft ;t3 .mark at both 2sihotupu and Waitakere. At the latter dam the water is now down two inches below the sill, a thing that has not occurred for some considerable time past. "However;" said his Worship, "that is no indication there is any need at the present time for any undue saving of water. Pumping has now 'been started at the .■Western Springs, which gives an additional million and three-quarter gallons of water, and relieves to that extent the strain upon the Waitakere supply. This auxiliary supply at the Western Springe is of great value to the city in dry spells, as it can always be relied upon.

- "The works at the Nihotupu impounding dam are being steadily pushed on with. While these works "are in progress there must necessarily be some slight discolouration of the water, as the quarry for the stone for the concrete work is situated above the water supply. The utmost precautions are being taken to prevent the discolouration of the water, bnt it is impossible to absolutely prevent a little taking place. From a publio health point of view, however, there ie nothing inimical in. the discolouration.

"This impounding dam at Nihotupu when completed, will conserve come- 550,000,000 gallons of water in addition to the 220,000,000 held by the dam at Waitakere, .With a daily consumption of five and a-half million gallons of water for the city and suburbs, when the new dam ia finished there will still be a reserve of water for 100 days' supply in the summer. Apparently it will be two more summers before the new impounding dam will be rea< jy f or use "