CITY'S DANGER

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 107, 7 May 1943, Page 4

CITY'S DANGER

TWO DAYS' WATER FINAL WARNING GIVEN - With only two days' reserve of water left in storage, Auckland users are given their last warning—they must reduce consumption to eight gallons of water a head a day, or face serious consequences. "If people will co-operate we will get' through all right," said the Mayor, Mr. Allum, this morning. "It is simplv a matter of co-operation." The alternative was stated by Mr. A. S. Bailey, chairman of the works committee, who said that if the reserves were exhausted the amount of water available would not keep the supply pipes full, and people on the higher levels would be entirely without water, apart from what could be delivered from door to door, or collected from supply points. It would mean also dislocation of the sanitary services. What that would mean can be realised "by people who have had experience of primitive means of sewage disposal. An even more serious aspect is the fact that fire-fight-ing on the higher levels would be hampered, to the point of ineffectiveness, through lack of pressure. Necessary Economies Economies now urgently required are:— (1) Consumption in every household to be reduced to eight gallons daily for each person. This amount is equal to two kerosene tins full. It is to suffice for all purposes, including drinking, cooking, washing, laundry work and sanitation. (2) Non-essential industries to reduce their consumption to onethird of the normal amount. Little response has been made to appeals for economies that have been made so far, and the consumption is still at 13,000,000 gallons a day, which is higher than has been normal at this time of the year in the past. Part of this abnormality is due to the greatly increased demands of shipping, camps and war industries, but the indications are that the water shortage has not been taken seriously by a great number of people— including some large users. The result is that to-day the reserve had shrunk to' 14,000,000 gallons, sufficiently to last until about Sunday evening. Heavy rain, of course, would alter the position. The showers this morning were light and did not appreciably affect the running streams supplying the dams. Providing the "eight-gallon" plan is adopted by citizens, the water supply in sight from all sources will be sufficient to carry the burden until rain relieves the position. Officials hope that citizens will co-operate to this end, in their own interests.

Meeting the Crisis Throughout this week discussions have been held among water supply authorities concerning what measures can be adopted to meet any further deterioration in the position. Some time ago Onehunga declared its willingness to assist Auckland as far as possible with water from its own well system. It hoped to be able to supply up to 1,000,000 gallons daily. Otahuhu was also willing to supply a quantity. Engineering difficulties are presented in each case, but efforts are being made to overcome them. A certain amount is already being obtained from Onehunga, but the full extent of the gain from this source cannot be definitely assessed as yet. A further gesture was made today, when the One Tree Hill Borough Council offered to supply up to 200,000 gallons daily. The borough has appealed to its residents to economise in their requirements as •much as possible so that that assistance can be given. The Mayor of One Tree Hill, Mr. -I. J. Goldstine, said that One Tree Hill was fortunate in having ample Supplies to meet the borough's needs, and arrangements had been made with city officials to supply portions of the city area in Epsom. The necessary connections were being made this afternoon. Mr. Allum has expressed appreciation of the One Tree Hill gesture, and also of the co-operation of other local bodies.

While the offers of these local bodies are helpful,' the seriousness of the position is not affected. It is still vitally necessary for people to conserve water. That, or heavy rain, is the only solution of the problem.