OUR WATER PROBLEMS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 22, 27 January 1928, Page 9

OUR WATER PROBLEMS.

THE WAITAKERE SCHEME.

NORTH SHORE REQUIREMENTS.

Yesterday, by the courtesy of the City Council, a visit was paid to the Waitakere and Nihotupu waterworks by the Mayors, councils and officials of the four North Shore boroughs. The City Council was represented by Mr. J. A. C. Allum, chairman of the Water Committee, Mr. W. E. Bush, city engineer, and Mr. G. C'arr, city waterworks superintendent. The first halt was made at the filtration works at the break-pressure dam, where every stage of the process of filtering the water was explained by Mr. Bush. Thence the party proceeded to the top of Waitakere dam. Here they were interested in the extension of the catchment area by the increase in height of the great concrete wall which impounds the water. When completed this will hold 400,000,000 gallons. -After lunch the Nihotupu dam was inspected. The whole party went down a long winding bush pathway to the Mhotupu dam, where occasion was taken by Mr. W. E. Bush to explain the technical details of the whole waterworks scheme, and the inter-relations of the Waitakere, Nihotupu, and Huia valleys. The city engineer estimated that early m 1929 there would be available fourteen and a half million gallons daily This would provide ample water tor the city's requiremnts, and would mean that at least two million gallons a day could be taken by the North Shore boroughs. Mr. F. E. Powell outlined the proposed scheme for tapping the Waitakere dam to take water to the North Shore. Notwithstanding the fact that Lake Pupuke was still eight inches above sea level, it could not be expected to continuously sudd'v across raP T? ,y f groffin 8 suburbs across the harbour. The factors of growth population and conservation of tl*e watershed impelled the authorities to seek some other source. On the motion of Mr. E. Aldridec chairman of the North Shore Water Board, hearty appreciation was expressed bv thl A iT 8 .j of n* he favour extended by the Auckland City Council and the rersonal courtesies so amply displayed by Messrs. Allum and Bush. Three cheers for all concerned concluded the proceedreturMd * to ™