SHORE WATER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 243, 14 October 1933, Page 11

SHORE WATER.

DEMANDS OF HEALTH.

MEDICAL OFFICER'S WARNING BIRKENHEAD AND NORTHCOTE A warning was conveyed to the North Shore Water Board, in a letter received at yesterday's meeting from Dr. T. J. Hughes, medical officer of health, regarding the probable condition of untreated water during the coming summer months. The letter read as follows: — "In view of the serious position of the North Shore water supply, both as regards condition and quantity, it is imperative that finality be reached as to this matter, and especially with regard to the Nortlicote and Birkenhead borough supplies, in order that conditions similar to, or worse than, those which occurred last summer may be avoided. The Devonport Borough Council is installing a plant in an endeavour to make the water supplied to the Takapuna and its own borough reasonably palatable during the coining summer, but under present conditions it appears that Birkenhead and Nortlicote residents will have to put up with conditions as bad as, if not worse than, those last summer unless immediate action is taken, and if the fiipply from the lake is to be continued to be used, the only immediate remedy is the provision of a plant for the removal of objectionable tastes and odours.

"As regards the question of the quality of tile water available from the lake, the seriousness of the position requires 110 further comment, as this was made quite clear in the Water Commission's report in 192 G. I have to again urge upon your board the necessity of reaching finality in these most important questions, as, if not. the North Shore boroughs may yet lind themselves in the position of having no available water supply fit for human consumption." o Comment By Members. Mr. J. Guiniven, Mayor of Takapuna, said that if something were not done half the population would leave the North Shore. His own councillors at Takamjna seemed to think nothing of the delay, and had no qualms about the coming summer, but lie believed the position was more alarming than his council seemed to think. Mr. Meikle (Mayor of Devonport and chairman of the board): When the plant that the Devonport Borough Council, has put in is operating I can guarantee that the water will be absolutely safe. I am basing my opinion on the report of a man well qualified to do his job. . Mr. Guiniven: Well, I hope that it will be a great improvement. Anyone who stood the test last summer of drinking the lake water should live for ever.

The chairman assured Birkenhead and Northcote of the board's assistance as far as was possible if the need arose. Mr. G. Mills, Mayor of Birkenhead, considered the problem solved in his borough. He thought that water could be obtained from the City Council earlier than the eight months suggested. Birkenhead had been waiting to see what the other boroughs would do. Mr. Martin (Mayor of Northcote): Dr. Hughes is afraid of the state of the lake, and that the trouble of last year possibly will be emphasised as time goes on. I* have had very few complaints from the residents of my borough, and they were on account of the chlorination of the .water in the reservoir, in addition to the treatment to that in the rising mains. We have had a treatment plant which has been screening out a great deal of the deleterious matter which comes from the lake under ccrtain weather conditions.

"Should Go Ahead Themselves." Mr. Guiniven: I think that Northcote and Birkenhead should not wait for the board to make a move. They should go ahead and do what they can for themselves. They will never got water cheaper than 1/, with a possibility of reduction. They need not worry over any trouble.

The Chairman: It is a question whether their geographical position can be considered, as against the larger number of consumers in the other districts. The Northcote and Birkenhead Borough Councils should absolve the board from any responsibility of untreated water from the lake. I will not allow the board to take the responsibility unless treatment works are installed.

Mr. Guiniven: The board has never hit out as it should. Its members have marched back to their councils all the time, so the board has not functioned as it should have. We have not the courage of our own convictions. We should have taken a stand and said that the water should be supplied from some definite scheme. After the chairman had moved that the board bo absolved from responsibility for impure water in Northcote and Birkenhead, Mr. Guiniven moved an amendment that the Health Department should be informed that the board, within its limited scope, was doing its best for the public benefit, and that Dr. Hughes' letter had been referred to the Birkenhead and Northcote Borough Councils. The amendment was carried. The chairman of the board was asked to confer with the health authorities regarding the treatment of Lake Pupuke with copper sulphate, in order to have expert treatment of the water to ensure greater purity.